Red Letter Day

Addie's school was closed today, because it seems to close every other Friday or Monday, and I had promised Nolie that when Addie get to stay home, she'll get to stay home, too, and so the three of us had the day together.  And here is what we did:

First, we went skiing, just the three of us, with no ski school.  First time ever.  Just going for it.  We only went for a half-day, and we didn't do a ton of runs, but the three of us made it up the lift, and down the hill, with no disasters and lots of fun.

Then, we came home and, after a loooong bath and some pizza--a rarity around here now--relaxed and cuddled up on the couch.  Addie read on the orange couch, and Nolie and I cuddled up on the red couch.  I had the new Sundance catalog and Nolie had Frog and Toad Are Friends.

I thought she was just going to look at the pictures and then bug me to read to her.

But no.  Blamo, the kid started reading the book.

Just like that.  She's been sounding out some words here and there, but not really reading fluently.  Then, Frog and Toad.  Pretty much with fluency.  And it's not that easy of a book.  I mean, it's not Dick and Jane.  I would never had believed it if I hadn't seen it.  How does this happen?

So, Nolie, at 4 1/2 years and two weeks, you began to read.

And now, we're watching Miyazaki's Ponyo.  If you haven't seen it, make plans to, right away (it's streaming on Netflix, if you have that).

Because it's awesome, as all Miyazakis are, and because it will give you the clearest picture of how Nolie is right now, much clearer than anything I could say.  Magical little fish baby:  that's Nolie.

And that, my friends, is what a perfect day looks like.