This has been a huge year for Zach. This is his first year of school, I am homeschooling him because this is the best fit for our family. He has amazed us completely this year with his progress. He only started the school year reading a few simple words and now reads with comprehension at about a 3rd grade level. This is not due to some fabulous teaching on my part, I really haven't done anything, it was just like one day reading clicked for him and he took off more rapidly than any child I've seen. He has an absolute passion for books. You will never see a smile on his face like the one when a phone call comes from the library that one of his books that he placed on hold has come in, if you ever want to motivate him to do anything there is no greater reward for him than a trip to the library. He has read at least 50 short chapter books in the last couple of months. For this reason, I am so glad I chose to homeschool him, it has allowed this passion to develop in him because he has plenty of time for reading and still has lots of time for free play. He loves to learn and will usually just start working on some schoolwork himself.
Zach has also been able to take swim lessons again this year and now I can safely say he is swimming. He loves the water and I'm glad that he is able to enjoy it safely. He still needs to get stronger in order to be a great swimmer but he's certainly able to swim well enough to enjoy a small family pool safely.
Most recently, Zach has just started playing baseball. This is the first time he has had any experience with baseball. We are very blessed with a wonderful coach whose emphasis is on having fun. Aaron is also an assistant coach for the team. Zach just participated in a Hit-a-Thon fundraiser for his team this weekend and hit 12 out of 20 pitches which was a great surprise to Aaron and I. He's really had very little experience with a bat even in his hand, he has never shown the slightest interest in baseball until this year. While he certainly is not even close to the star player on his team, we are so proud of him for getting out there and trying and having fun doing it. I can't wait to post some pictures of him in his adorable (I suppose I should say "manly") uniform.
Anyway, we are just so amazed at the growth he has shown this year and so very proud of what a big boy he is now!
