After celebrating eight birthdays as a family, one would assume that birthdays would be a cinch in our home, but too be honest they have been anything but that for the past three or so years.  I dreaded birthdays.  Not because everyone was aging or that they represent time passing.  I dreaded them because as the girls aged birthdays became a source of contention in our home.  Why, you may ask?  Well, we have one summer birthday and one winter birthday.  This caused our winter child to feel cheated. If we are honest, summer birthdays seem to represent fun!  It's hot outside and opportunities to do things are endless.

Many of my friends are expecting.  There's great anticipation for the arrival of the new little lives. When I hear about the new person who will soon join us, I am just as excited as the one who is expecting.  This may be caused by the fact that I am not experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy or because of His truth.

Teaching reading can be exciting, but it can also be tedious.  Over the years, I have learned that there isn't one way to teach reading and not all readers will learn this important skill the same way.  There are many resources out there, and I have managed to find a few that I found valuable in teaching our girls and children that I have tutored. 

Four things reading aloud with your children will accomplish.