The euphoria of a cavitiy-free dental check-up has ended.  I will now blog about something with more depth.  READING!  I love to read and Jeff, well, he loves to collect books.  This is a marriage made in heaven.  A couple of years ago my oldest was dragging his feet concerning reading.  Being the scheming mother that I am, I devised a plan to "hook" him on books.  Now, I must confess that I did not consult any experts nor did I set up an elaborate point system where he could earn rewards.  I simply began reading Redwall aloud to the boys.  They all begged me to "read more!".  When we were done, I was asked to read another from the series but I flatly refused. "You'll have to read the next one."  I coldly announced.  He has now read all of the series at least twice as well as many other books.  Now I have to tell him to stop reading and go exercise his body.  We also have a standing rule in the house concerning books that have been made into movies.  If anyone wants to see the movie ,they have to read the book first.  This was done for The Lord of the Rings (only for the oldest due to violence), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Arthur and the Invisibles, Narnia, and even The Wizard of OZ.   My 9 year old is currently working on the Fellowship of the Ring because he wants so badly to watch the movies. I still read aloud.  We are currently reading The Little House series.  Yes, I do have all boys but they are loving these books.  Another reading-related rule that we follow concerns bedtime.  Each boy is allowed to stay awake if he is reading.  Even my 5 year old has a little book light.  He spends about 15 minutes looking through a book before he calls it a day.  Well, I thought I'd let you know what works for us.  I have often heard people say that boys just don't read.  I hope no one tells my boys that!  It will ruin everything!!!