down at the dojo....

[UTZY]

today was a big day for our family!  my youngest son, Dylan, tested for his blue belt.  my little guy bowed to Mrs. Graham, his instructor, upon entering the dojo. the kids all did some practices, while me and my husband waited for the testing to start.  Dylan was the only one testing today. his teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Graham, are very dedicated to their teaching. if a child has a behavioral issue at home, they'll address the entire class.  they never give out the name of the child who misbehaved.   Mrs. Graham just informs the kids that martial arts is about discipline, and integrity.

after the kids practiced, Mrs. Graham asked dylan if he wanted to practice his kata, before he took the test.  a kata is a combo of all the moves the student learns for that particular rank.  Dylan indicated that he didn't need to practice is kata.  once again, he faced Mrs. Graham, and bowed to her.  he then faced the American flag and the karate flag, and bowed.  Dylan told me the names of these bows, but i can't spell those korean names!  then, my son performed his self-defense techniques. he did a series of kicks, punches, blocks and other moves. he successfully blocked the instructor's mock attacks.  me and Mike, my husband, looked on--with proud old mom and dad expressions.  i took some great pics!

next, he practiced self-defense techniques against a younger instructor.  he proved himself to be a great student of karate!  then, this wonderful 13 year old boy posed for pics with Mrs. Graham.  he held his purple belt in the air, while Mrs. Graham wrapped his new blue belt around his waist.  Mrs. Graham then announced that Dylan had sucessfully completed his test for his blue belt.  she said that my son had really shown great progress and she was very proud of him.  it was a great mommy and daddy moment.  i was rather emo, but i held back tears so i wouldn't embarass my kid.  i'm so proud of him!

after the test, he learned some new techniques.  he wants me to tell you the names of those:

inner-outer crescent kick combo

horizontal spear hand

vertical spear hand

we have a hard time paying for these lessons, but it is well worth the sacrifice!  this boy has some challenges.  he has some conditions that would make learning karate difficult.  he aced his test!  karate has made such a diff in his life!   he behaves so much better.  he started karate almost two years ago.  i am so proud of him. this kid has 'winner' written all over him.  he has four belts to go.  he'll do it!

 

[mars33me]

Aug. 7, 2008 at 9:07 PM

Good for Dylan!!  And good for Mel!!  You seem very proud, as you should be.  Making a sacrafice to make sure your son has something to do that occupies his mind and time and keeps him out of trouble, that's a great thing your doing for him Mel!!  Kudos to you and hubby for making it available for him!! 

[Goodwoman614]

Aug. 7, 2008 at 10:05 PM

That's great!!  Congrats to your son.  Didya know that my daughter (7) and I (42) just started karate this past spring...and I will probably test soon to go up to yellow.  We're Shotokan karate, and every discipline has it's own progression requirements and belt color progression...I have been loving this practice as has my dd, and it's always nice to hear how other's lives have been touched by their own practice of martial arts.  Good luck to your son in his continuation!

[letsgetreal]

Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:55 PM

[LoveYou4Always]

Aug. 8, 2008 at 4:38 AM

Congrats to Dylan and to yall!  Hugs Elissa

[JanieR]

Aug. 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM

Congratulations Dylan!!!!    Tell him I'm proud of him.   I've been thinking about this for D'Ontae too for quite awhile but haven't gotten him into it yet.   I think I will do this.  

[momof333]

Aug. 8, 2008 at 10:05 AM

Yes he will! Tell him momof333 is very happy for him, and keep up the good work!

[JamieC207]

Aug. 8, 2008 at 4:26 PM

Yeeeeeaaaaa!!!!! I'm so happy for you and Dylan! Great news! ♥

[TheLostMuppet]

Aug. 8, 2008 at 7:52 PM

Thats great news! Congrats to Dylan!!!!!

[CherieM]

Aug. 9, 2008 at 12:43 AM

YEAH DYLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so proud of you!  Your parents are so proud of you too!!  Way to go.  You are such an acheiver, and you are obiously awesome at martial arts!  If I were there, I would give you a noogie on your head, jump up and down, with pom poms and tell you how awesome you are.  My son Christopher would high five you and do jumping jacks, while screaming "way to go Dylan"!  We are pretty happy for you!  Great job!!!!!!