The Bookworm and the Puzzler

Mira and Amelia have both discovered new passions lately. For Mira, and I admit it's a passion I've tried hard to encourage, she's loving reading! She's quickly progressed from the "I Can Read!" books to chapter books. She and I read The Boxcar Children together recently and she loved it! I'm so glad because it was one of my favorite books as a kid. She liked it so much that she promptly reread it just a couple of days later. And now she and Amelia play "Henry and Jesse," the world of two orphaned children. (Admittedly, I feel a tad uncomfortable when they ask each other where their mom and dad are and the reply is, "They are dead." Ouch!)
But I love that she is reading so much. She chose a few chapter books at the library and read a 160-page book in 2 days! She was able to give me an outline of the story, so I assume she understands what she is reading for the most part. She's my daughter for sure!
And Amelia is discovering a love of puzzles. She pulls out her 24-piece puzzles every so often and it seems like she is able to put them together with fair ease. It's really fun to see the proud look on her face when she finishes one! She's growing so fast. I sort of want to slow down this last bit of little-girl phase. But on the other hand, I do enjoy the independence I now have with older girls. I can do things when they are in the house that doesn't require me to constantly keep my eye on them. It's a nice freedom.

February tomorrow! Here's to hoping for a better month, weather-wise. We're halfway through winter!