High Green

As we drove off this morning there was snow falling. None of it stuck on the ground, but we can say it's our first snowfall of the season. We were headed in early to the place our oldest Son takes Tae kwon do classes so we could get a parking spot and a place to sit. We brought our own chairs this time. There's limited parking and limited seats in the tiny room and today was belt test day and there have been a lot of new students that have signed up since the last belt test. Cram all of the students young and old, onto the floor and then squish in all of the parents, siblings and some grandparents who've come to watch as these individuals run through their tae kwon do routines and exercises, taking the test to graduate to the next belt level, and the place is pretty crowded. One student counted all the people inside fogging up the windows and I believe the total was 59. There were 29 people testing today.

Our son started taking lessons a year and two months ago. He took 3 months off during the summer to stay home and help Mommy out since our new baby was due to be born and Mommy wasn't up for chauffeuring people to classes.

Our son, CT, is currently a green belt and after today will move up to a high green belt. Here he is in the middle, waiting in line to do his 'special technique' where he goes across the floor alone and shows all of the different kicks he knows to Master Lee. Master Lee carefully watches each student to see if they've learned the skills required to move up to the next level. CT has been very committed to this sport and really seems to enjoy it. He's been steadily improving and many of the parents of the other kids taking lessons, comment on how well our son does. As a parent, that is always nice to hear! Here is CT doing a 'round butterfly round.' Master Lee is sitting at the table in the top right corner.

Here is CT breaking a board with his foot, held by his dad. All of the students have a family member hold their board for them while they kick through it.

Our son does not like having his picture taken or special attention given to him so it's tough to get photos. If he knows the camera is out he heads to other side of the room to work out.

Sometimes at the end of a test, Master Lee will call forward one or two students who've done exceptionally well and ask them to demonstrate a move for the rest of the class. Today, Master Lee called our son forward and asked him to show the class his special technique - all of the kicks he knows. Then he told the class that our son is a 'natural' and said today "CT gets first place. Everyone else gets second place." I think our son was a bit embarrassed by the attention but also proud that Master Lee noticed. We are proud of our son for his dedication and his excitement to go to lessons each week and for doing so well at something he really enjoys. Good job today son!