Can't believe they're SEVEN!

Yesterday was Cami and Griffin's seventh birthday.  Trisha planned a great party at a park and lots of friends and their families attended.  The kids smashed a pinata, ate a ton of candy and cupcakes, went crazy on the playground, and opened presents.  The twins made out like bandits, and now have enough new toys and crafts to keep them occupied through Christmas.  It was a good time.

The Flag Season Ends

Saturday, Griffin and Cami's flag football season came to an end in the second round of the playoffs.  Griffin pulled another flag, which I think means he got at least one in every game.  He also carried the ball once for about 2 yards.  Even though they didn't win many games, it was a successful season on a personal level for Griffin.  I could see the wheels turning as he figured things out.  He also became more aggressive on both sides of the ball.  At this point, we are playing catch in the backyard and he has been disappointed that there aren't football games on before bedtime during the week.

A Win!

So Griffin's team chose the first round of the playoffs to get their first win.  We scored on the last possession to take the lead, then held the other team on four downs.  It was very exciting, and their were a lot of great plays.  Griffin pulled two flags; one was a tackle for loss and the other came after a great job of pursuing the runner down the field.  He also made several really good blocks.  Near the end of the game, Griffin had two guys blocking him and he started to get a little upset.  I told him two guys blocking him meant he was doing a really good job, and he perked right up and even started to tell his buddy how good he was playing.  Next game is Saturday.

The Unwritten: Tommy Taylor and the Ship That Sank Twice by Mike Carey - Book Review

From the publisher: Tom Taylor has lived his life being mistaken for Tommy Taylor, the boy wizard from the world-famous series of novels penned by Tom's long-lost father Wilson. However, after a series of strange events start to parallel the lives of both Taylor's —fictional and real—Tom realizes that he might be the character on page made flesh.

Tommy Taylor and the Ship That Sank Twice is an original graphic novel by Mike Carey.  It is not a collection of issues from the series The Unwritten.  Rather than continue the story of Tom Taylor and his friends in the current storyline, The Ship That Sank Twice functions as an origin story.  However, it's an origin story for both the real and the fictional Tommy Taylor.

In one story thread, Carey descibes Wilson Taylor's plan to have a son while simultaneously writing a book about a fictional version of the same son.  Taylor's journal describes the process of writing, publishing, and publicizing his first Tommy Taylor novel, while trying to make sure his son Tommy echoes the fictional version.  It's a pretty interesting look into Wilson's plan that is only hinted at in the ongoing series.

The other story thread is the storyline for the first Tommy Taylor novel.  This is the best part of this graphic novel.  It's a lot of fun to be able to read the story of Tommy's first years and his introduction to his friends Sue and Peter.

The background to the fictional Tommy Taylor adds depth to the overall series, as does the look into WIlson Taylor and Tommy's birth.  The Unwritten keeps getting better and better as Carey reveals more and more of the greater story taking place.  What started out as a Harry Potter pastiche (at least as far as appearances go) has grown into a greater look at the power of stories in our lives.

I highly recommend this book to fans of The Unwritten, in addition to fans of Neil Gaiman's Sandman and other works.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

Flag Update

Griffin pulled two flags in yesterday's game.  His second one was on the last play of the game and went for around a 15 yard loss, because the guy he was chasing started to run backwards.  He also nearly had two sacks, and got jersey rather than a flag several other times.  He also had several nice blocks during the game.  Unfortunately, his team lost.  Playoffs start this week.

Raising Boys by Design by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD. and Michael Gurian - Book Review

From the publisher: Your son was created for great things, but he needs your help to appreciate his unique male design and to grow into the strong, loving man God created him to be.

Packed with doable strategies and eye-opening examples of what’s really going on inside a boy’s brain, Raising Boys by Design offers a practical blueprint to help you build a HERO—one who values Honor, Enterprise, Responsibility, and Originality. Among other things, you’ll learn how to help your son:
• strengthen his character, resilience, and self-discipline
• nurture genuine compassion and empathy
• process words and emotions in ways that fit his brain chemistry
• succeed in school and hone crucial life skills
• develop a healthy perspective of sexuality
• avoid the pitfalls of media and technology
• embark on a lifelong adventure of faith

This unique resource combines the latest research in brain science with timeless truths from the Bible to reveal the deepest needs shared by every boy of faith while also leading you to fresh insights for honoring the unique personality, talents, and God-given design of your son in particular.

You can help your son thrive today as the hero he is meant to be when you learn the secrets of Raising Boys by Design. 

As a father, teacher, and coach, I was very interested in reading Raising Boys by Design.  I'm always looking for helpful information for the long journey of raising my son to be a man of God.  Gregory Jantz, PhD. and Michael Gurian did a fine job in conveying some interesting ideas through their new book. 

One of the things that interested me the most about reading Raising Boys was the authors' approach, combining the latest in brain science with Biblical truths in order to meet all the unique requirements of raising boys.  The authors cite several studies that address how a boy's brain processes information differently from a girl's brain.  They also look at how the impact of testosterone during adolescence affects a boy's development physically, mentally, and emotionally.  They believe these are important items to consider when helping a boy become a man, and based on what I've seen, I would agree.  Another item that they consider significant is that a boy receives certain things from both a mother and a father, and without the influence of someone of each gender, there may be gaps in his development.  These topics are covered in the early chapters.

In the later chapters, a variety of practical approaches are presented.  They include topics on character and self-discipline, the emotional life of boys, developing healthy sexuality, school, the impact of technology, rites of passages, and the authors' new vision of Christian manhood.  I particularly liked the chapter dealing with school and how it can help or hinder a boy's development.  I also found the chapter about rites of passage interesting.  Having encountered this idea in several others places besides just this book, I found myself imagining how a rite of passage would look for my son.  The authors present their idea in the form of the acrostic HEROIC: Honor, Enterprise, Responsibility, Originality, Intimacy, and Creativity.  It is presented through Following Jesus: A Heroic Quest for Boys.  All the topics include Biblical approaches tied in with a look at the biological make-up of boys.

While I thought this book was interesting upon first reading it, it is as I reflect back on some of the ideas presented that I'm better able to soak up the information.  To that effect, I would give this book 4 stars (out of 5) and recommend it to parents of fathers, and anyone who may have daily interactions or roles in the development of boys.

I received a review copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

Your son was created for great things, but he needs your help to appreciate his unique male design and to grow into the strong, loving man God created him to be.

Packed with doable strategies and eye-opening examples of what’s really going on inside a boy’s brain, Raising Boys by Design offers a practical blueprint to help you build a HERO—one who values Honor, Enterprise, Responsibility, and Originality. Among other things, you’ll learn how to help your son:
• strengthen his character, resilience, and self-discipline
• nurture genuine compassion and empathy
• process words and emotions in ways that fit his brain chemistry
• succeed in school and hone crucial life skills
• develop a healthy perspective of sexuality
• avoid the pitfalls of media and technology
• embark on a lifelong adventure of faith

This unique resource combines the latest research in brain science with timeless truths from the Bible to reveal the deepest needs shared by every boy of faith while also leading you to fresh insights for honoring the unique personality, talents, and God-given design of your son in particular.

You can help your son thrive today as the hero he is meant to be when you learn the secrets of Raising Boys by Design. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=223379#sthash.5ngZKEZx.dpuf

Your son was created for great things, but he needs your help to appreciate his unique male design and to grow into the strong, loving man God created him to be.

Packed with doable strategies and eye-opening examples of what’s really going on inside a boy’s brain, Raising Boys by Design offers a practical blueprint to help you build a HERO—one who values Honor, Enterprise, Responsibility, and Originality. Among other things, you’ll learn how to help your son:
• strengthen his character, resilience, and self-discipline
• nurture genuine compassion and empathy
• process words and emotions in ways that fit his brain chemistry
• succeed in school and hone crucial life skills
• develop a healthy perspective of sexuality
• avoid the pitfalls of media and technology
• embark on a lifelong adventure of faith

This unique resource combines the latest research in brain science with timeless truths from the Bible to reveal the deepest needs shared by every boy of faith while also leading you to fresh insights for honoring the unique personality, talents, and God-given design of your son in particular.

You can help your son thrive today as the hero he is meant to be when you learn the secrets of Raising Boys by Design. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=223379#sthash.5ngZKEZx.dpuf

Your son was created for great things, but he needs your help to appreciate his unique male design and to grow into the strong, loving man God created him to be.

Packed with doable strategies and eye-opening examples of what’s really going on inside a boy’s brain, Raising Boys by Design offers a practical blueprint to help you build a HERO—one who values Honor, Enterprise, Responsibility, and Originality. Among other things, you’ll learn how to help your son:
• strengthen his character, resilience, and self-discipline
• nurture genuine compassion and empathy
• process words and emotions in ways that fit his brain chemistry
• succeed in school and hone crucial life skills
• develop a healthy perspective of sexuality
• avoid the pitfalls of media and technology
• embark on a lifelong adventure of faith

This unique resource combines the latest research in brain science with timeless truths from the Bible to reveal the deepest needs shared by every boy of faith while also leading you to fresh insights for honoring the unique personality, talents, and God-given design of your son in particular.

You can help your son thrive today as the hero he is meant to be when you learn the secrets of Raising Boys by Design. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=223379#sthash.5ngZKEZx.dpuf

Flag Football This Week

After the fiasco Monday night, today went much better.  Griffin's team didn't win, but they got to play the other Eastern Hancock team on the varsity football field.  Griffin pulled one flag, narrowly missed several others, and even got to carry the ball once.  Check out the video; he is in the center, waiting for the handoff, then darts through traffic for a small gain.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army by Geoff Johns - Book Review

From the publisher: The universe is in shambles and the Guardians are the cause. Their mysterious Third Army has risen across the cosmos like a plague, destroying everything in its path and Hal Jordan and Sinestro are nowhere to be found. It is up to wrongfully accused Simon Baz to clear his name and become the hero that the Corps needs in order to get to the bottom of Hal and Sinestro's disappearance and the Rise of the Third Army!

Collects the entirety of the "Rise of the Third Army" event from GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #1, GREEN LANTERN #13-16, GREEN LANTERN CORPS #13-16, GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #13-16, RED LANTERNS #13-16, and GREEN LANTERN CORPS ANNUAL #1.

 The Third Army is the latest in what's becoming a series of sprawling, universe-threatening stories in the Green Lantern comics. In this current adventure, the Guardians of the Galaxy are beginning to develop the Third Army, a group of beings who will restore order to the universe.  They will be without the worst of the characteristics of the Guardians previous group, the Green Lantern Corp.  Those characteristics include speaking their mind, questioning their orders, having emotions, and thinking for themselves; in short, everything the Guardians dislike about the Green Lanterns.  The Third Army will eventually assimilate everyone, which will restore perfect order to the universe.

This collection contains various threads related to the larger story of the Third Army. In the most interesting, Kyle Raynor is on a quest to master all seven colors of the spectrum.  He is assisted by Star Sapphire Carol Ferris, who is looking for the missing Hal Jordan.  In another, Atrocitus the Red Lantern visits his former home planet, the site of a massive massacre by the Manhunters (another previous Guardians creation) and the source of the rage that makes him a Red Lantern.  Additional stories follow the other Green Lanterns from Earth.  Guy Gardner comes in contact with the newest Lantern, Simon Baz (who is thought to be a terrorist).  John Stewart is tasked with finding the pieces of Mogo, the living planet and Green Lantern that he destroyed in an earlier battle.

As all the storylines begin to converge, the Green Lantern Corp sets up for a final confrontation with the Guardians and the Third Army.

This was a cool storyline, and it involved nearly everyone in the Green Lantern universe of characters.  This is part of a years-long set-up by Johns, and leads into his final storyline in the Green Lantern comics.  I would recommend this for fans of Green Lantern, or anyone looking for a huge space adventure story (although you may find yourself a bit lost without at least some knowledge of events from previous stories).

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

The Ugly Side of Flag Football

Tonight's game was a manhandling.  Griffin and his teammates played tough and gave great effort, but were run over by a team with several very large 2nd graders.  Multiple kids were taken to the ground at the end of blocks, including Griffin.  There was shoving in the back, wrapping arms around necks, and one peel-back block on a touchdown that might have drawn a penalty in the NFL.  The other team also celebrated every score with multiple chest bumps, and I heard there kids trash talking (You better watch out for 54; hey butthole; etc.).  I finally got fed up and started telling the other coaches that it was ridiculous.  There defense? That's what happened to them last game, it was there first win, and they have the smallest team in the Greenfield league (not true, and easy to see when looking over at the next field).  It was a poor display of sportsmanship.  I'm very proud of our team, and Griffin in particular.  Next game on Saturday.

The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan - Book Review

From the publisher: Two thieves want answers. Riyria is born...

For more than a year Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner Hadrian Blackwater from certain death. Unable to get her out of his mind, Royce returns to Medford with Hadrian but the two receive a very different reception --- Gwen refuses to see them. The victim of abuse by a powerful noble, she suspects that Royce will ignore any danger in his desire for revenge. By turning the thieves away, Gwen hopes to once more protect them. What she doesn't realize is what the two are capable of --- but she's about to find out.

The Rose and the Thorn is the second book in the Riyria Chronicles by Michael J. Sullivan.  Like the previous book, The Crown Tower, this book is a prequel to the Riyria Revelations.  And like the previous book, The Rose and the Thorn does a great job filling in some of the backstory of Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, also known as Riyria.

The Rose and the Thorn further develops the relationship between Gwen, Royce and Hadrian, picking up about a year after the first book.  Royce and Hadrian have been working together, pulling small jobs.  They are making their way back to Medford to see Gwen, when they meet Viscount Albert Winslow (the short story The Viscount and the Witch makes up the 2nd chapter).  Gwen has been beaten and refuses to see them; Royce makes it his mission to discover who is responsible and make them pay.

The other thread in the story introduces the royal family of Medford, King Amrath, Queen Ann, Prince Alric, and Princess Arista.  It also introduces Reuben Hilfred, the Pickerings, Percy Braga, and Bishop Saldur.  Hilfred is about to officially join the Palace Guard and is deeply in love with the princess.Braga is the newly appointed Chancellor and the king is having a celebration for him.  In addition, there is a conspiracy afoot to murder the royal family.

As the two separate threads of the story begin to come together, our characters become more and more intertwined.  Several (dangling) plot threads from Riyria Revelations are set up in The Rose and the Thorn, and are done so very nicely.  There is also nice character development, as Royce and Hadrian, along with Hilfred, are further rounded out into fully realized characters.

Once again, Michael J. Sullivan has done a fantastic job of writing a prequel.  He has a talent fitting these stories into the overall story arch seamlessly, rather than making them feel tacked on.  A reader new to Riyria will not have any of the later surprises spoiled; in fact, the clues and foreshadowing provided are lined up precisely.  For fans of the first series, its fun to see the story expanded and holes filled in; Sullivan has included several easter eggs for his fans.

I highly recommend this book for fans of light fantasy and caper-type stories.  Sullivan has shown how a prequel should be done; I look forward to reading the further adventures of Royce, Hadrian, and company in future Riyria Chronicles stories.

I received a preview copy of this book from Orbit in exchange for an honest review.