We try ever so hard not to compare Eli to Elena, especially when it comes to learning styles and milestones. I still remember coming across a photo we have of Elena, fresh off her 4th birthday, proudly displaying the sign she made for her lemonade stand. We had to tell her how to spell “lemonade,” but she’d written the letters all on her own. At 4 Eli was only mildly aware there’s was such a thing as the ABC song.
We’ve done everything exactly the same with them when it comes to reading, writing and drawing. Elena loved it all (still does), but Eli has always preferred running and jumping over reading and writing. As he moves through being five, though, we’ve noticed a growing interest in learning to read and a big leaps in his writing and drawing skills. Hoping to encourage his creativity and fine motor skills, I got him the Daily Doodle calendar 
He made it abundantly clear that, while he might be learning how to write, what he writes will be 100% on his terms.
Boys. Making it their duty to make sure no opportunity to mention poop goes to waste.
Don’t feel too bad about it! I’ve read that boys aren’t normally ready to really read until they are seven. I know that was certainly true for our son! He loves, loves, LOVES books but when it came to reading, it was like he hit 7 and a light bulb went off.