3.5

Maeve is three and a half today! I don’t know why for me this feels like a milestone even though it isn’t a birthday. She is such a big girl now, and packing for our trip this week I realized we don’t need a pack-n-play, potty seat, high chair, booster seat or even stroller! She picks out her own outfits – as evidenced by her ensemble today of pink pants with multi-colored doggies on them and a clashing pink shirt with multi-colored hearts on it, topped off with a big brown bow in her hair. And she is making her own friends – two playdates have been scheduled with girls she met at school. Our little girl is coming out of her shell in social situations and asserting her independence more and more each day!

We had a really fun series of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this past week and enjoyed some Spring weather in our backyard and many parks. We are excited to be heading to the Bahamas to visit Gigi and Aunt Nancy this week! The fun continues…

Reading

Maeve has been sounding out letters and “reading” her favorite books to herself (from memory) for a long time. We are hoping to foster a love of learning – what parent isn’t? – and we love the opportunities she has at home and at school to develop her language and reading skills. But today was a break through…as we were driving up Western Ave. this afternoon, without any prompting, pointing, or question from me, Maeve sounded out and read the word BIG on this sign! She sounded out the letters, said the word “big,” and then compared it to the word pig “but big has a Buh sound, not a Puh sound.” She’s brilliant, but of course we already knew this!

Maeve read this!

P.S. I should add that Maeve can read Exit and One Way signs too, but she asked what they were to begin with so I still think the Big billboard should count as the first spontaneous read…