John's First Soccer Game

Last Saturday was John's first soccer game.  He was pretty excited, although it doesn't take much to get John excited.

 He is a great team player and loudly cheers for his team while on the sidelines.

 Getting in the game.

 I'm pretty sure 90% of these kids fell a few times.  It was cute and funny.

 We noted we need to teach John about how he doesn't need to steal the ball from his own teammate.

 I absolutely love the clump of kids that follow the ball.

 John's not shy about getting in there.  He also seems to be pretty fast.

 His turn as goalie.

 John got to throw the ball back in and then for several minutes he didn't leave the sideline.  He didn't know he was actually supposed to get back in the game.

 Halftime pep talk.

 They all look so serious.

 John was too busy making sure we were watching him that he ran right past the ball!

 Good game high fives.

There may not be much action, but I sure love watching these young kids play.

(Editor's Note: Uh, John totally scored a goal!  While the proud mother may not have gotten a picture of this, the proud father thinks it's very important for the world to know this.)

Jon Klassen

I have a new book for all of you to check out.  Jon Klassen is a self proclaimed illustrator/author.  He has won several awards for his illustrations in various books, such as "Cat's Night Out".  The book that has become a new favorite is "I Want My Hat Back".  This is the first book Klassen both wrote and illustrated.  It is witty and funny and has wonderfully simple illustrations.  It also won the 2012 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Award.

Check it out when you get a chance.

Author, Julia Cook

I wrote a while back about Julia Cook and her book "My Mouth is a Volcano!".  She has a number of great books that teach children all kinds of things in funny stories.  After reading "My Mouth is a Volcano!" to John's class, his teacher decided that Julia Cook should be the author present for reading night at the school.  Cook came to the school and talked in the classrooms during the day and then did a whole presentation for the parents that evening.  She even brought her dogs, Jake and Angus, to meet the students.  I unfortunately missed the Family Reading Night with Julia Cook at John's school since I had a program at the library.  Funny, my duties at the library kept me from enjoying Family Reading Night.  However, John's teacher was kind enough to snap a photo of John, Julia, Jake and Angus.

I'm not sure which dog John is holding, but I'm pretty sure he does not like being held like that.  Unless, of course, that is how he smiles.