Orange Belt

 October 30, 2015

If you think it looks like a lot of people testing for graduated belts, imagine what it was like trying to cram family and friends to watch.  It was crowded.  And hot.  With far too few seats.

But energy enough to run a power plant for a month and a half.

 Their instructor is the one in front of the American flag, Mr. Eric Roach.

 It was pretty crazy how many were there to test.  We thought he would have realized when all of the paperwork came in, but he was pretty surprised come test time.  I think he will be better prepared this months' testing.

 The paperwork that is required needs to be signed by both family and school teachers, letting the instructor know areas of success and improvement needed.  He likes these to be turned in a couple of days in advance.  One thing that really kind of bother me was that he was accepting paperwork directly before the testing began.  If that is how it is, Caden could have tested in September.  With all of the Eagle preparations, we lost track of time and didn't get them turned in on time.  Oh well, at least I know that we followed the rules.  It's also nice that they all tested together.  However, if Caden is asked to test out of Orange belt before the other kids, he's going to.  He has held back for both White and Yellow.  Not again.  He is ready to advance!

Shelby is still intense.  She is a fierce little fighter.  She will do well.

 Brennon took a few times to break his board.  They had to stand at "guarding stance," twist and look behind them, and then back kick the board in half.  Where Caden and Shelby were able to do it on their first try, Brennon took a few tries.  He just kept getting so excited to twist, that many times he lost his footing and fell over.  And the giggles that came from that boy the first time it happened made the whole room laugh.  And then he put on his determined face and got to work kicking that board in half.  It's so fun seeing him doing well in the sport he introduced to all of our kids.

Tyson was such a rockstar.  I'm not 100% certain that he was the youngest one there, but I know he was one of them.  He needs to continue to review the Yellow Belt kicks, but other than that, did such a great job for his age.  He is getting better at focusing on himself, and not watching the other kids (which would really mess him up a few months ago).  He astounds people by being so small, yet remembering the moves and knowing the Korean words that he needs to know.  His size does not hold him back.

Surprise, surprise: Keilie is ready to start!!  She begins tomorrow with her White Belt.  I would love to see her progress and catch up to her brothers and sister.  It would be a dream to see them all perform in the same class, or at the same belt testing.  For now...

I am the proud mom of these high-kicking, ninja warriors.