{Testing...testing}

What makes a sport?  A team, fans, determination?  Well today Ethan, our oldest son, tested for his High Blue Belt in Tae Kwon Do.  Determination, concentration, focus, and peace make up this sport.  Ethan has been involved since he was four years old.  This wonderful, old practice gives Ethan confidence like you wouldn't believe.  Ethan was very nervous for his testing today.  He didn't feel like he knew his form very well and was also a little under the weather, but he did great!  Plus at the ripe old age of 6 Ethan can lead a class of 50+ kids through warm ups, which entails the 12 step kicks and hand movements.  He also can count to 10 in Korean and instruct other kids to do so too.  

This first group of pics is Ethan warming up and waiting his turn to do his testing.  He was the only blue belt that tested today so he had to do it by himself.  I love the expression on his master's face.  You can just see how much he loves teaching the kids and how proud he is of his students!

These next ones are of Ethan's form.  One of the most involved forms he's had. 19 steps involving different combinations of hand and feet placements.  Some of them are several steps and punches before you even get to say 1,2,3...13 etc.  And to do it by himself was amazing!

At the end of each group that tests the parents get to come hold a board for the kids to break.  They are instructed what punch or kick they will do to break their board.  They continue to preform the task until the board is broken.  Ethan took two tries today!  Way to go buddy.

Three hours later we get to be rewarded with some lunch and a demo put on by the judges and younger instructors in the studio.  Here are a few of the amazing high jumps and stunts we saw this morning!

Look at the dust this board has produced after the powerful kick that broke it....

Mister Ireal jumped over 3 and 4 grown men placed in a row to then brake the board at the end!

Ethan is well on his way to a black belt!!