Maybe because it's the new year

 maybe it is because all of this is over,

 Including the much anticipated jokes hidden inside the crackers,

Maybe it's because it's January and there's not bit of snow about.

Whatever the reason,  he came home yesterday with his first big chapter book and read.... and read...... and read and he was so happy because it was the first day he really knew he could read. Just like that, another mile stone crossed off.