Ethan's language skills are growing everyday.  He is adding about five new words a day that he can say and even more that he understands.  A few days ago, while sitting at the easel, Bianca asked Ethan if he wanted to get out some stamps and he took his chubby little leg and stomped his foot on the ground.  We had never used that word in that way before, so we assume it was something he learned from Goddard, but it was still amazing.  

He of course, has the words "choo choo" and "blanket" down as he is moving into his "choo choo" and "blanky" phase.  When we here the ding ding of a train coming, Ethan starts walking around, looking up at us saying "choo choo, choo choo" with the urgency of a politician in October in an election year.  

But the undoubtedly cutest thing he does is the start of the alphabet.  He can go pretty deep if his brother is singing along with him, but on his own, and at totally random times, he will start singing "A-B-C-D."  He will sing this over and over again.  Time of day doesn't matter either.  We often hear him waking up, singing "A-B-C-D."  Even more fun is when his big brother does the whole song.  Sometimes he sings along, like it was pirate sea chantey-both boys sing at the top of their lungs.  Other times, he gets quiet and watches Isaac with saucer eyes as Isaac performs the amazing feat of doing the whole alphabet from memory.  

What a fun time Ethan is having and that makes it fun for the entire family.

As a side note I have finally, FINALLY, put up pictures through September.  The whole summer is now up.  

As an adult we take for granted our ability to read.  But as a kid it is a huge challenge.  There are so many different rules and exceptions to the rules in English that it is a miracle any of us can read.  But that challenge produces some awesome moments as a new reader learns to overcome the difficulties.

Every night before bed Isaac and I settle down by reading.  Over the summer we got into the habit and it has been a good thing to continue.  After about two months, Isaac was racking up books--doing one book a night.  They were targeting first readers and while he is a new reader, they really weren't much of a challenge.  It's amazing because when Isaac started kindergarten he had trouble with his alphabet and the like and now he is cruising.  

Well, we want to constantly raise the bar so we got some "independent" reader books.  And he has worked his way through two of them so far.  One is a Nat Geo Kids book and it is amazing to watch him take down new and big words.  Two nights ago I was convinced I was going to have to help him out with "predator" and "crocodile" as both were long and well outside the sight word list for 1st graders.  But he got to them and puzzled and puzzled and then announced with a hint of excitement--"PREDATOR" and "CROCODILE!"  It is clear it felt good to him, but it also feels amazing as his Dad.  

After words I told Isaac that watching him read powers me up, even when I am tired.  He said he didn't understand why and I told him that it is hard to explain.  But every night before I do my chores before going to bed, I get a jolt of the best stimulant around--legal or illegal--listening to Isaac work hard and overcome challenges. 

Isaac had his first spelling test last Friday and he did very well, getting a 102 out of 100.  That's just parent bragging.  The real story here is that he loved the spelling test, or more accurately the process of studying for the spelling test.  

When we were at Fenway (yes we went to Fenway, more on that next week) Isaac and I were running down through his spelling words waiting for some hotdogs and in the bathroom.  When he was at home he was constantly quizzing himself.  And on the morning of the test, he and his friend Carter, were selected to go to the office to drop off the morning mail.  On the way down Isaac persuaded Carter to run through the spelling words.  And they quizzed each other.  

It's important to paint this scene a bit better.  Carter is a high energy kid, the tallest and oldest kid in the class.  He is also the kid everyone goes to when they want to have fun.  Carter is just a fun kid.  And Isaac and Carter feed off of each other.  Isaac loves an audience and Carter loves to be entertained.  And so, more likely than not, this pair is NOT going to be studying quietly.  But Isaac liked the idea of the spelling test so much that he convinced Carter to do an impromptu spelling quiz on the way to the office.

Grades are important, but at some point in life you don't get graded anymore.  The love of learning, that is a skill that will make your life better forever.  I am so glad Isaac thinks both are important.