Belt Testing ~ Matthew's turn

Matthew has been anxious to test for his yellow belt.
He's very competitive and so it's been making him crazy having the lowest belt at the school.
He went to his first test this Saturday ~ which was our first time through the normal testing procedure.  Things are a little different for Andrew's division.  (He's with the little kids, but will move up when he turns 7).



Those are my Dad's ears.  It's so strange to see them on my son!  And yet so sweet.  Dan said to me one day, "I've seen the back of that head before." ~ it's true!  When I look at Matthew from behind, I see my Dad. I see him in Matthew in many other ways as well. A gift.

The first portion of the test is a group test showing a sequence of moves/blocks/kicks that they practice in class.  He did great.





Such focus.



Matthew is a pretty intense little guy.  He's very determined.



There's a lot of bowing in Tae Kwon Do. :) The instructors always bow at me when I arrive/leave and so I bow back, but I feel so funny doing it. And yet I'd feel disrespectful not to. There is a big emphasis on respect and the instructors are referred to as "sir" and "ma'am."  I think it's fantastic.

Next is the board breaking.  They break a layer of 2 boards. Sometimes it takes the kids a few times to do it.  I think it might have taken Matthew 2 tries.  But he did it!



The last part is to individually stand before Master Yun. 



Doesn't that look a little intimidating?

In preparation for the test a paper is sent to the child's teacher asking them to rate the child's grades/behavior/respect/focus.  There is a portion for the parent to fill out too.  These comments are addressed in this portion of the test.

 Matthew was spoken to about respecting his siblings and what that means, and the importance of it.  There was an area for the parents to write in what the child needs to work on and that was our suggestion.



The kids are also praised for the positive things that they are doing as well.  Master Yun told the parents that his goal for the children is to not get a gold medal at the olympics, but to get a gold medal in life.  He wants to help support the character traits of focus, respect, discipline, confidence and loyalty in the kids at his school and asks for honest feedback so that he can encourage areas that the kids need help with. I think this is such a great sport for kids.  It grows them positively in so many ways ~ both physically & mentally.



I wasn't in a good spot for a photo, but here Matthew is, receiving his belt.



Most of the kids just carried their new belt out. Matthew couldn't get that white belt off quick enough and that yellow belt on! 

It's going to be fun to see how long the boys want to participate in this sport and how far they make it.  Anything is great with Dan and I.  They'll benefit from whatever length of time they participate, and if they choose to focus on another sport that's great too.  But we're having fun with this right now.   Not to mention, the weather conditions for Tae Kwon Do are perfect.  :)

Matthew starts Tae Kwon Do!

Matthew really wanted to take Tae Kwon Do when Andrew started last year.  But we wanted Andrew to have the opportunity to have his moment...being the second in line, it's rare for him to get to do anything first or just special for him.  So now that we are signing up for our second 6 month stretch, we signed Matthew up as well.  Matthew is in the Juniors group, which is the age group above Andrew's so their classes are separate. 


(Matthew is on the far right).

Because Matthew hasn't done Tae Kwon Do before, he had an introductory class today.  I was getting my hair cut so Dan had to take him.

I was sorry to miss it.  When I called on my way home and asked how it went (Matthew was in bed) Dan said Matthew was "over the moon" excited.  I asked how he did and Dan said he was "very precise."  Which is very Matthew....I think this will be a sport that he really enjoys and is well suited for his personality.  I'm not sure how he'll do with sparring or if he'll like that.  But I know these early stages he'll really enjoy.



The place that we go to is fantastic.  The instructors are so good with the kids.  I've been very impressed with them during our time there with Andrew.

It takes less than 10 minutes to drive there ~ the only downfall is that now that we're there for 2 classes it'll be an hour and a half stretch, which is not a super fun time with the Bug when it's twice a week....but we'll figure something out.  



They teach "Focus, Respect, Discipline."



The truth be told, I've enjoyed this stretch through the holidays without many activities.   But  I know that sports are so good for the kids for many reasons and I want them to have this experience, so I'm gearing up for the stretch until summer...or spring break.  A friend wisely suggested perhaps I set my sights on spring break as it's closer. :)  So spring break it is. 

3 months to go!

Tae Kwon Do Wrap Up

I'm about a week behind in my posting. I feel like there is so much going on in the lives of the kids these days it's hard to keep up! 



It is with great relief that I report we finished our 6 month Tae Kwon Do commitment.

Whew!

That just took two days of commitments off the calendar for each week.

It has been SO good for Andrew though.  I'm really, really glad that we did it.  And we'll be signing up again as it's one of the things that is really supposed to help him, but I'm taking a break over the holidays.

I can see a big difference in Andrew from those beginning weeks/months of classes until now.  He still has his days, but overall he was doing much better at the end.  His instructors were so positive and encouraging as well ~ I always felt very grateful.

At the end, Andrew was often selected to demonstrate for the younger kids ~ wonderful to see him singled out as a leader.  This is a very positive change for him. 



This is a very short video but watch all the way to the end right before the video cuts off.  That's my favorite part.  So very andrew.  :)



Matthew has really wanted to sign up, but we told him he needed to wait until next session. We wanted Andrew to have his own moment (something that rarely happens).  But I'm sure next session they'll have a fun time doing this together and I do think it'll be great for Matthew as well.  I highly recommend it for all kids ~ boys and girls!

Get Ready, Get Set...

Let me preface this by saying, this is a really long post.  I haven't posted about much this week and have a lot to catch up on.  If you want to just scroll to the bottom and see photos, feel free. :)

It has been a whirlwind of a week.

Getting ready for school.

Sigh.

I am so NOT ready.  But trying desperately to change my attitude.

We've had "Meet the Teacher" for Katie, "Back to School Night" for Matthew and Andrew. Which I've come to dread when we have a Kindergartener. It means 50 parents (if 1 parent per child is there, so really probably 75 parents) + kids/siblings trying to drop off supplies and meet the teacher/ask questions in a crowded room. I did not bring a camera or take photos. I merely tried to survive.

Andrew has Matthew's Kindergarten teacher, SO happy about that.  He is already seated next to her desk which is wonderful.  It will save her the trouble of moving him in the future.  :)

Let's see.  Since last weekend,  Andrew tested for his Orange stripe belt and got it!  He lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came.  We had my friend Julie and her husband/ 6 kids over for dinner Saturday. We went to a friends' house for dinner on Tuesday. I had a couple girlfriends and (some) of their kids (6 of theirs plus my 3) on Wed. afternoon and then on for dinner. Andrew had his first soccer practice.  (He LOVED it & did GREAT!)  We had my brother/nephews over for dinner last night...Matthew had a playdate today and Andrew had tae kwon do in the afternoon...it's just been busy. Add in a back to school hair cut, grocery shopping, errands, laundry, labeling school supplies, and trying to get my desk finished (what a job!)....

Probably very similar to my other friends at this stage in life.

I am dreading the school year mainly because we've had such a busy summer and we're headed into a very busy schedule.  I think this will probably be one of my most challenging years simply because the kids aren't completely independent and I'm managing 3 different school schedules at 2 different schools.  Add in after school/church activities and I'm pretty much a taxi driver.  It will get MUCH better come the first of Nov. when activities drop off....

Anyway, I am behind on emails ~ so forgive me, if I owe you a reply.  This felt like the easiest way to check in and update everyone at once.

Now for the photos. Starting back with last weekend, here is Andrew testing for his Orange stripe belt. This is his individual part....



Standing at "attention." He answered questions like what my birthday and Dan's birthday are and his phone number. He had different moves to do and then the favorite....



Breaking his board. No problem!



No, the problem comes in the "sitting" part. Here are some typical shots of Andrew. Playing with is board.



Making silly faces at Mama.
And No, this isn't just for the camera. He is always looking back at us and doing things during class.



And eventually an instructor will come and sit next to him to help him focus. :)

That's my boy! :)



Dan presented him with his belt. He's taking off the yellow here.



And look at Andrew's face as he's putting on the Orange. I think his expression says it all.
So proud.

And I am really proud of him too.  He's doing so well!  I've really seen an improvement in him since we've started in terms of his focus and participation.  He's following directions better, and when he started soccer this week, Dan said he did great and was one of the best kids in terms of following directions and staying on task.  He's also one of the oldest, but this is really great for Andrew.  I am so, so proud of him.  He said he "LOVED soccer" and "loved playing goalie!" after practice.  I think Andrew especially needs these activities ~ they are good for his self esteem which he needs extra nurturing with, so as much as I loathe the time they take, I am happy to do it for him as I can see the difference in him as a result.

That same day we had my friend Julie over.  Lots of outside time, kids got wet, played happily (her kids are SO sweet!) and just a few pics from that time...



A little girl bath. Katie was washing baby Julianne. :) The boys, especially Andrew, loved Julianne. And she loved him too. Andrew cried when she left he was so sad! I think Andrew could have 10 kids when he grows up. He LOVES babies!



After lots of playing and bath for the little ones, the kid watched "How to Train Your Dragon." Love this photo of just hanging out...Dan was cleaning up in the kitchen. Nice guy that he is, and all.



Jonathan, Georgia and Matthew (who couldn't tear his eyes from the movie).  I lived close to Julie when they were babies and spent a lot of time with them.  Georgia just hugged and hugged and hugged me when she left and wouldn't let go!  She told her mom that they don't see me enough.  She is one of those one in a million super sweet, super easy amazing kids.  Jonathan and Matthew are playing together now, which is so fun to see.  They are a lot alike.



Jackson and Andrew, snacking...they have a lot of fun together too.

Here is Katie's "Meet the Teacher" day....





I took this photo to remember our afternoon out together. We left the boys home with Dan and went to meet her teacher, then we went and bought her school shoes. (Black Patent Mary Janes) and she might have gotten a sugar cookie with pink frosting, but don't tell the brothers. :)  (They get special treats when out with mommy too).  It was really fun.



Katie is in the "Gummy Bear" class with Gracie. They are "older 3s" which is new for us.  We've always been in the "young 3s" class.



Excuse Katie's little flash of the underwear here. :)

These 3 sat down on the circle time pillows so I snapped a photo. Katie was very comfortable in the class (probably because she goes to church there and has spent nearly 2 days a week there for most of her life). And she's also our most outgoing and social child, so she can't wait for school to start and keeps asking about it.



Her teacher, Miss Beth, is very nice and "Bootiful" as Katie says.

And for the record, we had to fill out the form with Kaitlin's name and "Name your child goes by." Since we have around four, that she answers to, we had to narrow it down....Dan and I literally sat at the kitchen table discussing it. Such a big decision, you know. :) We mostly call her Kitti at home, and while it's a sweet sentimental nickname to us, I felt silly having that on her name tag, etc. Katie/Kaitlin are the second most often used. When I talk about her to people I say "Kaitlin" when I'm talking to her, I'll say Kitti or "Katie" more often, so we have everyone completely confused as to what to call her. For the record, any of them are fine. Friends also call her "Kitti" which is great, but we've started her in school as "Katie." So that's what her name tag says, that's what her teacher will call her, etc.



This was the only picture I took when Rachel and Julie came over on Wed. The boys praying over their dinner outside. Andrew was at soccer at this point.  Julie home schools and Rachel is starting so I thought it would be nice for them to meet and Julie could be a resource for Rachel if needed.  It was also just fun to have them meet and I enjoyed the time with them very much.

And just a random photo from the week. The kids have "outside time" every day. Some days they like it more than others. They weren't loving it on this day....



They stood at the kitchen window where I was working wanting to come in! I kept saying, "Go play!!"

Turkeys. :)

Like I said, I didn't take any photos at Back to School night. But when we got home we realized that Matthew left his planner (that we're required to purchase each year and sign daily when the children bring it home with notes/news in it) somewhere in the school....We're hoping it'll find it's way to his classroom as it did have his name in it. But he felt badly about it and I found him outside on his swing with his bear and blankie.



So Matthew.  He always feels so badly when he feels like he did something really wrong.  And it really wasn't that big of a deal, but apparently I made him feel that way.

I fixed that.



Meanwhile, Katie ran around with her banana yelling, "Don't take my picture!!"
And squealing when I did.



I read on a blog where someone kept a prayer and gratitude journal on their kitchen table when their kids were growing up. I loved that idea and was so excited to see these at Michael's (for $1.50 in their newly price-has-gone-up "dollar" bins). They are there right now for anyone interested. I snatched these up and we started them tonight.  I think we'll do it during dinner each night.  And just to keep it real...

Katie's first prayer request was:  "Ponies."

To which, Matthew said that wasn't a real prayer request and that his prayer request is  "To scratch out Kaitlin's prayer request."

So we had to start the rule that no one is to make fun of or criticize someone else's prayer request.  :)

The point is, we're trying.

And it keeps us talking with the kids about God, talking to each other, thinking about what we're grateful for instead of what went wrong, or what is annoying, and helps the kids learn to turn to God when they have concerns, and to praise him for the blessings in our life too.

And of course, the comic relief as well.

If anyone is still reading, I'm impressed.
A fun day awaits tomorrow as I get to go have lunch/shopping with Shannon for her birthday (which was in MAY ~ that is how crazy our combined schedules have been this summer!) and we're going to see "The Help" which I am SO excited about.

Have a wonderful, safe, happy, Labor Day weekend!!!

Andrew does Tae Kwon Do!!

We had an introductory Tae Kwon Do class today for Andrew. It went SO well!!



This is the first time that I've seen Andrew so excited to participate in a sport/activity. I could not stop smiling the whole time I was watching him ~ he was so cute!!



I was VERY impressed with the teachers and the owner, it all went so well and was a very positive experience. The emphasis is on respect, confidence and focus. The instructor handled Andrew well and was very positive, patient, complimentary and encouraging. I left there just feeling so happy and excited for Andrew. We signed him up, so he'll be part of a class of students, so I'm hoping that goes as well...Andrew doesn't do as well when surrounded by other kids, but I'm hopeful that this might be different.

Andrew followed along really well today. Was engaged and interested the whole time. At one point the instructor showed him a move and said,

"Can you do that, Andrew? Yes, sir or no, sir?"
Andrew replied, "No sir." (He doesn't have a lot of confidence in himself, which I'm hoping this will help with).
The instructor said, "When I ask you if you can do something you say, "Yes, sir!" Because you can do it, Andrew!"

I loved his positive energy and encouragement. I literally had tears in my eyes at the end of the class watching Andrew break the board. So often our experience with him in these situations has not gone well...and to see him out there doing his best, having fun, and being encouraged by a positive male role model ~ just made my day.

We picked up Matthew from school right afterward, and for the first time it was Andrew with the story to tell, the uniform on, the experience to share.

I truly could not be happier for him.

It's a small thing, but a really big thing, too.