Ketchup, Part 1

When I was in school we used to have "catch-up" days and I always thought it was so funny to have "ketchup" days... and apparently, I still do. Silly.

Anyway, since I have been so lax about blogging for a while, we are going to need to go way back to May. That is when little e tested for her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Here she is focusing and getting ready to recite the 10 rules of Tae Kwon Do... such concentration.
Warming up with punches.
Master Shim...
who is apparently rolling in the dough judging by the sheer numbers of people that come through the doors of the academy... and the brand new studio that is nicer than many houses I have seen. (Check out the look on the little boy's face who is next to him... priceless).

Little e tested on a Saturday, but had to wait until Monday to see if she had passed.

Drum roll please...




Was there any doubt?

I love how proud she is when she reaches a new level.
And of course, the congratulatory hand shakes from the black belts.
Congratulations big girl!!

Board Breaking and White Striping

Little e has moved on to board breaking in the world of Tae Kwon Do.

Here she is holding her board prior to class. Hard to believe that this sweet little thing could have enough power to break a board with her hand.

She actually broke one while waiting for class to start, so my initial fears were put to rest.

Ready, set, ACTION!

That was called, 'Palm heal strike'.

Since that picture was taken, she has broken several more boards using her feet and elbows. I am not looking forward to the day that she does it with her head... ugh!

She also earned a new belt a few weeks back... it's called 'white stripe'...

...why, I am not sure, since it clearly has a yellow stripe on it. But who am I to question years of tradition?

After each achievement, we can clearly see a sense of pride of accomplishment in her.

I cannot get over how old she looks here. Time is definitely flying by.

Congratulations!!

Hiiiiyahhhh!!

e has found a new love in her life.... Tae Kwon Do. Ever since Guam, she has been asking to take Karate. Had we've known how much she would enjoy it, we would have done it sooner. It is so much fun to watch her.

A couple of weeks ago, she earned her white belt... she was so excited. She worked really hard to learn her kicks, punches, blocks and terminology.

Here, the chief instructor is putting her white belt on her.


Bowing to the class and some great photography.

Congratulatory hand shakes from the other instructors. Look at the smile on her face.


Congratulations little e!! Good job!!