Claire - November Star Student

Claire was selected as Star Student for November. We attended her award breakfast last Friday where she received her medal and certificate.

Congratulations, Claire!

Soccer is a Smash

Last Saturday was Emma's last soccer match for the Fall season. The action started slowly on this rather warm December day.

Emma was keeping the goal. She stopped the first shot attempt with a beautiful two-handed block. On the next attack, she set up for another save.

And then it happened.

In this series of Zapruder-like photos, instead of using her hands, Emma choose to use her face.

She went down. Glasses smashed. Tears. Eye swelling.

But she got up. Put some ice on the eye. And with a replacement pair of glasses soon returned to the pitch.

After a few minutes getting used to the new equipment, Emma made several attacks on the goal, outrunning the defense. Only the attentive keeper prevented her from scoring.

Finishing strong, our hero looks forward to the Spring season.

Congratulations, Emma. A season well-played.

Thanksgiving Morning

Sunday Soccer

A rare Sunday soccer match found the Dynamo on the short end of the score against the Blue Knights. Emma had a very good game, hustling on defense and stopping several shots as keeper.

Here's an example of her helping on defense.

One of the many goals she prevented -

Emma got the assist on our lone score. Here she moves the ball down field before completing a wonderful pass.

The rest of the days photos are here.

Squirrel

Using a longer lens I rented for soccer, I captured one of the squirrels availing himself of our backyard feeder.

Dynamo Soccer

Emma's fall soccer season has started. And now she's a Dynamo! I think she's just happy the uniforms are different from the previous seasons.

Let's get right to the highlights. Emma had a tremendous day on defense. Closing your eyes lessens the pain of the ball slamming into you.

No one could get past her to score. Here she clears the ball and launches the offense on a break.

Emma's teammates are much better at passing the ball and setting up shots. If we could just get rid of the goalkeeper...

In the second half, Emma stood her time in goal. This is the best action shot as the other team's offense never crossed midfield. Maybe next time she'll bring a book.

The rest of the day's photos are here. Enjoy.

Emma's Book Poster

Emma's English teacher picked her to create a poster about her favorite book series. Since Emma's a big Disney World fanatic, she picked the Kingdom Keepers books. They all have plots based on various Disney theme parks. You can click on the photo to read the details.