As my youngest gets ready to enter kindergarten in the fall, I find myself reflecting on her younger years, how she's grown, everything she has learned and how much more she is going to learn this coming school year.

My youngest, Madeline, age 5, started reading more than a year ago so she was reading books in pre-school. Maybe it's because she's my second, or maybe it's all the reading we did and all the reading her older sister, Phoebe, does with her, but Madeline speaks very articulately, and already has a great vocabulary.

We read books together all the time. When she was 2, she would have me read the same book, over and over again. After about 7 consecutive times, she would say "More!" and point to the book. I soon learned she was learning the story by asking me to read it to her over and over again . . just like when kids watch movies over and over again, it becomes familiar to them and they know what to expect. I think it's pretty amazing.

Reading to our children is so important. Not only are you spending quality time with your kids but you're also helping them fall in love with books, stories and reading. Reading also sparks their imagination and creativity! And I don't think there's anything better than that.

My kids still love to read so I try to take them to the library as often as possible. I am going to enjoy this time as much as I can because there might come a day where they will not want to pick up a book with this much gusto. Some of my children's favorites were: "My Little Cupcake", "Guess Who Ocean Friends", "Barnyard Dance", "Ten Chirpy Chicks", "Kiss Kiss" and many more!