There is definitely something to be said for the fact that the very first thing I bought for my children upon finding out I was pregnant with each of them — was books!And I drove my sister-in-law crazy when she was pregnant, because, I kept coming over with more books ‘for the baby’!At one point, upon my leaving, my brother called out to me, “Hey sis, next time you come over make sure you bring a BOOKSHELF!” HAHAHA!!

What I am saying is, that fostering a child’s love of learning needs to start early! Ok, perhaps I go a little overboard, but…

You know, I did often kind of worry that my FIERCE love for books and reading would turn my children off of books, but, it didn’t. I definitely have three little bookworms on my hands.

And that has fueled their elementary school careers in such a positive way.

And our latest evidence of this is my middle son, who is 11 years old, has made it onto our school’s Lone Star Challenge team. This is a fairly new program, but, it is basically an academic decathalon for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.

There was a group of students chosen from each of the three grade levels, and they had to study the booklet provided, and test onto the team. Only four children from each grade level was chosen.And my sweet fifth grade boy was chosen! I am so proud of him!Now he needs to really buckle down and get studying and get ready for the big event.

It is a one day affair. They will test the students, even giving them an essay to complete, and they will even have a game show style quiz! How fun!

I am so excited! Let’s get those kids reading!

GO READ A BOOK!