Success!

FoxyJ and I both had this idea that S-Boogie would be reading by the time she was three--not only had she been very interested in books since she was old enough to show interest in anything, but her mom had started reading that young, so we figured genetics were on our side. As three, four, and five all came and went without S-Boogie showing much interest in learning to read on her own--she's a social creature, so there's very little motivation to get to a point where reading books becomes a solitary activity--Foxy and I have done our best not to let our unrealistic expectations get in the way of appreciating our daughter's many other strengths. Maybe we could have forced the issue, but we never wanted reading to feel like a chore; better to let her continue enjoying books regardless of how she enjoys them.

At any rate, she's in first grade now and has finally started to read on her own (I say "finally" as if there's anything wrong with starting to read at this age; I'm pretty sure this is a very normal age to start reading). She still needs help, but she's making great progress. And she's found a way to make sure reading remains a social activity--now she reads to her little brother.