Belt testing

Last Saturday was a big day in Austin's world. He has been waiting since November to be able to test again! He is loving karate and tries very hard to do his best. This Saturday was no exception. He even got the video to practice with. He listens to the instructor's and follows what they say.

Here he shows off his kicking skills. I don't know if I explained this last time but belt testing is not a pass or fail thing. It is a confidence builder in your ability to do what you have been taught. So these younger guys practice and test in groups. The leaders or black belt instructors evaluate each student during learning sessions to see if they are ready to test.

These are some moves to protect yourself from someone trying to attack you. I must say that as the mom of a boy I am pro "get away if you can but fight ONLY if you have no other choice". Of coarse with a father that believes that if someone looks at you cross eyed you should beat them to a pulp we are having difficulty trying to decide the best parenting at the moment. Austin's teaching master has explained to Austin that he should try to get away, not to strike first but if someone hurts you where to strike. (hmm, was mom right???)

This was the first time Austin got to break a board. Let me tell you, you have never seen a guy so excited and so proud of himself! It is done with a palm strike or what us uneducated people call the heel of you hand. Some what brutal! I guess it's a boy thing and Mom's just don't understand!

Austin, glowing with pride, was awarded the yellow belt and all the responsibilities that come with it, including continued practice, self control and respect. He was glowing!

This is Austin and 'Grand Master'. He is the top teacher and owner of the school. He is also a 7th level black belt! OMG! A truly wonderful man and teacher! He signed Austin's board and gave him lots of encouragement to keep practicing and we went home with a boy that kept saying "Mom, can you believe it, can you believe it??" What a day!

Ashlyn's first black eye

Sorry, I've had the flu for over a week and am trying to get my pictures together. this is going to be a short post on what happens when a 20 month old jumps on the bed. She was happily playing with Alyssa in Alyssa's room. I could hear some rough housing and then the big "BANG". Oh, the screaming!

Oh, the agony!

Until Dad walked in the door then she was fine and ready to pose for pictures!

I even got a 'cheese' out of her!

Please ignore the messy face! She had just eaten dinner! I think! Who knows, it could have been lunch that I forgot to scrub off! I'm bad about that!!

galveston

My computer has been sick, so it's been a while! I have soo many pictures to share and exciting things to show. This is my favorite for the moment so I will share part of this day.

Over the Christmas holiday the kids and I took many trips to Moody Gardens. On this trip Shawn got to go with us. We had lunch and tried to see things in Moody Gardens. Unfortunately, the one thing the kids wanted to see was closed. That was the gift shop! They wanted to spend their Christmas money there! Go figure! We appeased them with the aquarium and then we finally got to go on the paddle boat. I loved what part of the ride I could enjoy. Ashlyn wanted to run around so I had to restraint her kicking and screaming. A few times I let her sit by herself with her sister.
After that we went for a drive. The kids have been so mad at me because they wanted to see the beach and touch the water. They just don't understand about cold water! Well, they found out. Shawn took us over to San Luis pass and I wish I could have gotten pictures of the road. It was just gone! Nothing! The kids though it was cool to see but they thought it was suppose to be that way. Finally, they talked dad into stopping along the beach just so they could see what it was like.

The wind was whipping and it was COLD. Did it stop my two punks from playing in the water??? NO!!! Alyssa only got knee deep! She knows cold when she feels it! She still chased the waves and searched for shells and laughed her head off but she knew it was cold!

Austin is a different story! I got this shot right before he body slammed a wave. I don't think he felt the cold until it was time to load up and he had to strip right there on the beach with 20mph wind whipping across him! He loved every minute of it. I guess I know what I'm doing this summer!

I know it's hard to tell but Austin is SOAKED!!!! Shawn hated this part, he hates sand and all that. He was pouring water from our water bottles on the kids just to get the sand off and complaining about the sand they would get in the truck! They had fun though and that's all that mattered!

Now that my computer is fixed I will update you more and soon!