What my kids do when they aren't punching boxes, making forts, and playing in the toilet

When Ross was a baby, my Mom would sit and read to him for hours at a time. She created a monster. He would bring us stacks of books, and after they were all read, he would jump off his little, diapered 18-month-old bum, and yell "more books! More books!" I became convinced that although he was probably hyperactive, he didn't have any attention deficit. He could sit for hours, listening to books, perfectly still.

Ross wrote this essay, entitled "Reading" at school last week. I tried to scan it, so you could read it in the original 3rd grade script, but blogger doesn't like the file. I have not changed spelling or punctuation, so that it more closely resembles the primary source document. I had a lot of practice doing this while I worked at FARMS. After David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery, Ross is easy-peasy.

"Reading is fun in all sorts of ways and it's my favorite thing to do in my spare time.

Reading is adventurous. That's one of the reasons I like it. Like the people in the story might do something bad and I would say: "I would never do that!" For example, I wouldn't battle Voldemort like in Harry Potter Number 4! I like reading because it is moderately hard usually. Right now, I'm reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, with 870 pages. I want to read the whole series!

I like reading for lots of reasons. 1 reason is that it is helpful in some ways. It can relax you. If you're mad, Super book! It can relax you. It's also helpful because it gives you something to do in your spare time.

I also like reading because it has <begin page 2> lot of feeling. Sometimes it can make you feel scared or frightened, happy or glad, or just plain sad.

Reading is probably my most favorite thing to do in my free time. Reading is fun! Reading is adventurous! READING HAS EVERYTHING <underlined three times>!!!! "

Before they wrote their essays, the class had to brainstorm topics. Here is Ross' list of his favorite things to do:

"Gameboy
reading <circled>
play computer
T.V.
Toys
Daydream
bike
scooter
work (sometimes)
swim
invite friends
call friends
baseball
bowling
kicking balls
punching boxes
drawing
eating
making forts
throwing balls
playing with Tommy."

Punching boxes? Um, I don't totally get boys. And as far as I know, he's never been bowling. I should take him.

Jane is also an avid reader. She loves Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House. She recently started the Little House books.

Sam is into "Green Eggs and Ham." (Sam, I am!) He can read a little, but not enough to read the chapter books he takes to bed at night. I don't ask questions.

A few weeks ago, Tommy went missing. I expected to find him playing in a toilet Sam hadn't flushed again, but instead I found this: (Poor Tommy has to read books to himself. His Mom is busy blogging.)