Favorite Book Share

Julia and her classmates were all instructed to bring in their favorite book to school today, as part of a class share.  Because reading each and every book would take way too long, the kids were instead invited to talk about the book in whatever way they liked.  Sharing the plot, some favorite moments, talking about characters, or simply explaining what makes the book special to the student were all viable options.

I'm sure the class was absolutely SHOCKED that Julia brought in a Harry Potter book. 

At long last, Julia had the opportunity to babble on about Harry Potter at school.  She could say anything she wanted about the books without interruption.  What a dream come true!

Here is what she opted to say, as she recounted to me later in the day.

"I really like this book, and...I don't really know why.  I'm ready for questions and comments."

Are you serious?!?  THAT'S what she chose to share about Harry Potter?  I mean, this kid can't shut up about Harry Potter most of the time, to the point that she feels the need to correct me when I say things like this to her former preschool teachers:

ME: Yeah, Julia's in first grade now, and she's reading, and-
JULIA: Mom!  I like reading HARRY POTTER!

And so here she gets the chance to tell the class ALL ABOUT the Harry Potter books and what she loves so much about them and how she wishes she could be Hermione Granger and that if she could have any wish in the world it would be that witches and wizards really exist?  And she decides to say "I really like this book and I don't really know why."?!? 

Well, as long as she's satisfied with her sharing experience, that's what counts!

In other news, now that Auntie Shannon is living in the Rowe household, she is able to observe such everyday fun routines as Madeleine's inability to actually sit and eat a meal.  Even Auntie Shannon has now joined in the fork-feeding of Madeleine in order to get the meal to NOT take two hours as Madeleine gets distracted by one thing after another.  (For example, Madeleine got too busy playing with her cut-up pieces of chicken breast this evening - and having the various pieces talk to each other - to remember to actually EAT them.) 

So Auntie Shannon decided to give some Self-Help Talk Show Host therapy to the kids.

AUNTIE SHANNON: Okay.  Madeleine.  There are TWO things you need to work on getting better about.
ME: (shouting my contribution from the adjacent room) Going on the potty-
AUNTIE SHANNON:  Okay.  THREE things.  One is...well, hang on, let's make this a self-realization exercise.  Madeleine, what do YOU think you could be better at?
MADELEINE: (confidently) NOTHING!
AUNTIE SHANNON: Okay, here are the things you can work on being better at.  Going on the potty when you need to, eating your meals, and not having a melt-down every morning about your outfit.

Julia then wanted to be part of the therapy.

JULIA: And what do you think I need to be better about?
MADELEINE: (assuredly) Sharing!
AUNTIE SHANNON: That's true!  That is something Julia can work on.  But Madeleine.  We're talking about you.  Can you tell me the three things we just talked about you working on?
MADELEINE: (staring blankly at Auntie Shannon) Uh...SHARING.

Nope. 

You can see how close to her heart Madeleine took the whole thing.  But, hey, I'm glad the kid has the confidence to believe she has already reached behavioral perfection!