YELLOW BELT

We've been trying several different activities with the kids, and have had trouble finding something they each really liked. Finally something seems to have stuck with Tobin and Tae Kwon Do. He's been loving and it and doing great. Win-Win!
On Saturday Tobin had his first belt test in Tae Kwon Do to earn his yellow belt. He's been working extremely hard (as has Kristen, who's had to learn everything to help him practice at home) and we knew he was ready to move up to the next level. It was a big to-do, with all the students from each class and level there to test for their respective belts - there were lots of parents, grand parents, etc.

What we found out was that the testing happens in a group. It was a little distracting for Tobin, and he kept watching the other kids and didn't do the things he knew - at least as well as he knew how to do them. The students were asked not only to display their forms (a set of moves in a choreographed fashion), but also various facts and ideologies about Tae Kwon Do. (A particularly funny response from one young boy was "Abominable Spirit" as one of the 5 Tenets of Tae Kwon Do. He meant "Indomitable Spirit".) Tobin did great, but we were nervous because we knew he could do it better on his own.

At the end he got his yellow belt, and was absolutely beaming. It was a very proud moment for all of us.