Reading Snuggles

“I want to read chapter books,” my seven-year-old informed me a few weeks ago as we looked through his classroom library together for books to read at home.  My heart swelled with joy and pride.  It was hard to believe this was the same boy who, not too long ago, would literally count how many words were on each page so that he could read the page with fewer words.  And now we’re reading chapter books together!

One thing I strongly believe, though, is that children of all ages should keep reading picture books.  So when I took my four-year-old twins to the library earlier in the week, I picked out several books with my son in mind.  When it was time to read tonight, C didn’t feel like reading his chapter book.  I knew it was time to break out those picture books.

“I love that book!” C exclaimed when he saw the book on top. “Oh, that one, too!”

We snuggled together on the couch and laughed our way through Pirates Love Underpants, Dragons Love Tacos 2, and several new books together.  His laugh was infectious, his giggles setting off giggles of my own.  I loved watching his eyes dance with joy when he looked to see if I was laughing, too.  I loved feeling his body snuggle close to mine.

My little boy is getting bigger every day.  Sometimes I look at him and wonder where the time has gone.  He’s not too big, yet, though.  I hope it is a long time before he outgrows our reading snuggle time.