One of the kids’ Christmas stocking stuffers from Santa were tickets to a Dallas Mavericks game. We went this past Monday night and had a great time. The drive out there was about 50 minutes and we were one of the first 5,000 people, so the kids each got a Dirk Nowitzki bobblehead, which celebrates his 20th NBA season.
Ryan was amazing. He navigated the crowds like a pro and he sat very well for the game. Here is Ryan’s take on the experience:
CAN REALLY THANK YOU (Mom and Dad) FOR TAKING US. I LOVED IT. I REALLY ENJOY SPORTING EVENTS. THAT CAN REALLY BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. I HAVE TOTALLY BECOME A DALLAS FAN. DEARLY LOVE TO GO TO MORE GAMES SOON.
I asked him about the noise:
IT WAS LOUD BUT FOUND IT MANAGEABLE.
I then asked him about the crowds:
CROWDS DON’T BOTHER ME MUCH.
What about the half time performer who balanced crazy stuff on his chin (like a bicycle, a ladder, a folding table, and a wheelbarrow!):
CAN REALLY SAY HE WAS AMAZING. THAT WAS FUN TO SEE.
*****
Ryan wrote the following book report after we read the book Redwall. Ryan really enjoyed this assignment and I thought that it would be a good idea to share it with all of you.
Book Report
By Ryan Curry
Title: Redwall
Author: Brian Jacques
Characters (as listed by Ryan):
MATHIAS, CLUNY, MARTIN, CONSTANCE THE BADGER, BASIL STAG HARE, JESS THE SQUIRREL, ASMODEUS, WARBEAK, JULIAN, CAPTAIN SNOW, SHADOW, CHEESETHIEF, FANGHORN, DARKCLAW, CORNFLOWER, SILENT SAM, LOGALOG, BROTHER ALF, AMBROSE SPIKE, ABBOT MORTIMER, METHUSELAH.
Settings: MOSSFLOWER WOOD, THE ABBEY, GREAT REDWALL
Plot: CLUNY IS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OVER THE GOOD MICE HOME.
Analysis: THE INTERESTING PART IS FINDING SO MANY AMAZING CHARACTERS WHO ARE ALL DISTINCT AND THEIR STORIES REALLY MAKE THE BOOK A TRUE CLASSIC TO ME.
Favorite Character: HAS TO BE MATHIAS.
How would you describe Mathias in the beginning? NERVOUS, YOUNG, HAS POTENTIAL
How would you describe Mathias in the middle? GROWING MORE CONFIDENT, WILLING TO TAKE RISKS
How would you describe Mathias in the end? BRAVE, DRIVEN, FIERCE
How is it that Mathias was able to go on all of these adventures yet he made friends along the way? HE IS FAIR AND GOOD TO OTHERS.
What was the symbol that the mice looked to for inspiration and that Cluny stole? THE TAPESTRY OF MARTIN
What do you think the tapestry of Martin would be most like today to us? THE AMERICAN FLAG
Describe Cluny: CLUNY IS MERCILESS, SLICK. TOO HAPPY THAT HE DIED.
Do you think that the goodness/peacefulness of the mice was a good thing or a bad thing? IT WAS GOOD.
What about when they were attacked? Did this help them or hurt them? DISADVANTAGE.
Did the author do a good job describing the characters and the setting? THE DESCRIPTIONS WERE BEAUTIFUL. I COULD PICTURE BEING THERE. IT MOSTLY SEEMED REAL.
What are some themes in this book? FRIENDSHIP, GOOD VS. EVIL, COURAGE
What ages is the book appropriate for? TEN AND UP
What about for Grace? YES
But she is 9. SHE IS A GREAT READER THOUGH.
Is this book for boys or girls? CAN BE BOTH.
Why should someone read this book? THE BOOK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES YET. IT HAS ACTION, ROMANCE (BUT NOT TOO MUCH) AND GREAT CHARACTERS. YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE IT KEEPS THE READER ENGAGED FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END.
I am in my head. 
Ryan, you are an inspiration, I love reading your blog. You make me smile every time! You are way smarter than the average kid….and most adults too. I love you and your family too.
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