Leveled up!!!!!!

I was surprised when I when to Hapkido last night, that I was one of three students that received a white belt with a black stripe in it.  Master Aaron presented me with it.  

 

 I have been at Hapkido for less than two months and have been working hard to learn their techniques.  Grand Master Kim has told me that my 4 years of karate has helped.  The black stripe was not earned through a belt test, but by the black belts that run the class.  The black stripe represents that I am a focused student.

 It was nice that my Dad came to the class and  tied my new belt on.  I look good with a black stripe!

  

 Hitting the focus pad with Grand Master Kim.

It was a good class, but I have to wait a whole week to go back because of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Yesterday, I also tried some Lamb Briani at Lana & Sabrina's house.  My Mom was surprised to see me Indian food and took this picture below.  I picked out the lamb, but ate all the rice.

Finding a new martial art

September was a hard month for me.  I got a really bad cold, and then in turned into strep throat.  I ended up missing 4 days of school.  My dojo closed down in Kent suddenly, leaving me to find a new martial art to learn.  With the help of my parents, and my friend Sabrina, we were able to visit and try several other dojos and their style of martial arts.  We tried another Goju school, but it was a little too far away in West Seattle.  We tried taekwondoe, and hapkido.  Fortunately, we found a school, that I and my parents both REALLY liked.  

 I chose Kwon Moo Hapkido, located in Burien  It's a very practical art: punching, kicking, getting  out of arm grabs, rolling, and sparring.  No forms.

 I had to go back to white belt, but Master Kim says that with my experience, that I should be able to advance up soon.  We also wear Judo gi's, they are more durable than the traditional gi's.

 Grand Master Kim (8th level black belt) spent a lot of time with  me, teaching me to breack out of wrist grabs.  I like him, he is very friendly.

 I leave class tired and happy.  Also there was time for me to practice my shoulder rolling.  I am really glad we found this place.

Last Day at the Bridge School

June 4th was the last day of school and it was at Seahurst Park (the beach).  It was a beautiful morning.

We played some games, had a race with a backpack...

 I played mainly with Andy (he is one of my best friends-there is also Vaugn & Sabrina)  Andy and I will be moving on to Kent Mountain View Academy this fall.  I am glad that I will not be going alone.

 I got Mom to stay at the beach with me all morning.  She brought the dogs and her knitting.  (She's wearing the black sweatshirt.)

 Andy and I went on a rock hunt.

In the evening, we had a Moving On Ceremony at the Bridge School.  Our teachers had something nice to say about each of us.

I am going to miss the Bridge School but I am looking forward to 3rd Grade at Kent Mountain View.

Charlotte's Birthday

Charlotte is my next door neighbor.  I am friends with her older sister, Lillian.  Charlotte recently turned 3, and I got invited to her party.  He party was at the Jungle Gym, in Burien.  It's small, but a lot of fun.

 I went for the climbing wall. There are the two neighbor sisters below.

 The time at the gym is structured, but I like that.  We played with this parachute for a little while.

 I got to get it!

 Back on the wall!

 If you can see, I am on the zip line.  This is fun!  Unfortunately, we only got to go twice.  Over all, it was a fun party and I was the oldest kid there!

Mock Trial at the Burien Courthouse

During the month of May, our school has been learning about the government (remember the Capitol?)  Today, our whole school did a mock trial of The Three Bears vs Goldilocks.  Goldilocks was on trial for bad behavior!  But first, we had to walk to the courthouse.

 We had to go through a metal detector.  The Mom's took longer than the kids.

 The defendants. (Left to Right) Goldilock's mother, Goldilocks, and their attorney.

(Left to Right) Momma Bear, Poppa Bear, Baby Bear, and me, their attorney.

                                                 

 Malia is the judge and she actually has the robe!

 The Plantiffs and Defendants, ready for action!

 The Coho Room sat in the jury.

 I opened the questioning staring with Momma Bear.  She is on the witness stand.

  Then I had Poppa Bear and Baby Bear.

 Goldilocks got sworn in.  After all the questions were asked the jury retired to another room to deliberate.  They finally came back in.

 Goldilocks was found to be innocent of bad behavior!!!!!  I was surprised.

This was a lot of fun and it was neat that we got to use a real courtroom!