Blue Belts, Bunk Beds and Big Boys

One of the big achievements of the summer for Will was earning his blue belt in karate! He got it two weeks ago!! He worked SO hard for weeks practicing almost every day on his kata (series of turns, kicks, punches and blocks) that he had to perform all by himself to the instructor. It has to be done perfectly...if there is one mistake at all then you have to wait and test again the next week. And unlike other forms of karate where there are junior level belts to work through first, in Shotokan karate you work for the same blue belt whether you are a child or adult. Will is the youngest in his class (although I think another 4 yr old just started), and it took 3 testings for him to complete the kata perfectly (it's hard for a 4 yr old to remember under pressure...it's hard for ME to remember under pressure!). So for 5 weeks he was practicing hard and often. He is super proud of his blue belt and we are too!!
Here are some karate pics:

practicing hard on his "blue belt kata"

wearing his new blue belt!! and now working on new skills that will one day lead to an orange belt. (Will is the blue belt closest to camera just left of center)

Will working on kicks

Getting ready to bow out at the end of practice (Will is just left of the tall man)

Another biggie of the last month or so is that Owen moved to a "big boy bed" and Will got new bunk beds! Both love their beds and the transition went smoother than expected. Although even big Owen looks so small in that big bed!


And last but not least...my Big Boys have started back to school! Will is in 4yr old preschool (I can't BELIEVE he's going to be in kindergarten next year!) and Owen started the 2yr old Mothers Morning Out program. Will is going 3 days a week and stays for playdays until 2 on Tues and Thurs. Owen goes to MMO on Tues and Thurs. Both love school and love their teachers. Sadly, I don't have a lot of pictures from their big first day back. Mostly b/c to them, it wasn't all that big. Preschool at FUMC is "normal" to them now, esp since they went on Tues/Thurs this summer for playday. They missed school in August and are glad to be back with their friends. Here's the pic I did manage to snap just before heading out the door.