We’ve all heard about the importance of reading to our children, encouraging them to read and how it opens doors, windows, jars, introducing them to new worlds.

Our six year old has become obsessed with reading this year, in part because of a contest created by her teacher where after reading ten books, the children might be the lucky recipient of a donated piece of a bungee cord or totally unusable, bent corkscrew (trust me, I’ve tried).

We have always read to our kids at night. We might not read every word or even every page but we do try to read every night.

We read street signs, ingredient lists, the newest cosmopolitan recipe and try to show the kids that reading is EVERYWHERE.

The other day, I took the kids to a local farm to enjoy a beautiful fall morning outdoors. I had promised the girls a cookie from the gift shop/restaurant before leaving when a gorgeous chandelier for our nine year olds’ bedroom caught my eye.

You might be wondering how often the gift shop at a local farm sells an item like a chandelier and I must admit, I didn’t see a line-up for them but I loved the style, the sparkle and the scale for Hanna’s room. Sold!

I’m not suggesting my six year old read the word “chandelier” or how to wire this puppy but she did jump at the chance to peruse the greeting cards which I thought made for a nice distraction while my light was being boxed up in between wagon rides.

Ellie: Mommy, I just found a card that would be perfect for Hanna’s friends’ birthday party this weekend.

Okay honey, let’s hear it, I said stupidly proudly.

Picture a loud, six year old, outdoor voice really over enunciating each word with several long pauses in between.

Ellie: This…..year…..on……your…..birth…..day……I……hope…..you……get…..a…….good…….stiff……one.

Gasp.

Carefully opens card.

Ellie: And……a……strong……drink…..too.

Ah reading.

I guess it didn’t help that Hanna was shouting at her in the background, “Ellie! That’s inappropriate! It’s about alcohol!”