Purple Belt

 "Hey dad, I have to tell you the good news! Today in karate class, I got to lead the warm ups and the bow to master instructor bow!"

You were so proud to do this and share the news, Mr. Purple Belt!

And we are so proud of you too!

You've really blossomed in "karate" with Mr. Garcia (actually it's Tae Kwon Do). You just received your 4th belt...a cool purple one!

TKD has tested and expanded and challenged your memory, your physicality, and your outlook.

Black belt behavior forever! :)

Aidan's First Belt Test!

You used to do Karate a bunch when you were way younger...when you were 4!

Then, through the years, you tried out a bunch of different activies - swimming, soccer, gymnastics- and on top of it you went to Spots and Bliss to help you grow. And, grow up you did! During the pandemic when I asked you what activity you might want to do when Covid was mostly over, you said "karate!"

And, although you did want the "costume" you also wanted to get back in a dojo and learn martial arts again. You had fond memories of it from when you were younger. And you were ready to kick it into high gear!

First we tried one dojo that you decided wasn't right for you (you later told us that the teacher told a boy that if "he didn't shape up, he was gonna slap him upside the head." You later reported that you thought to yourself, "I gotta get outta here!")

Then we found Mr. Garcia and East Dallas Arts! Mr. Garcia is a GREAT teacher, and you have been loving what we call "karate" on Mondays and Wednesdays. Except we just found out that it's actually Tae Kwon Do. But even though we missed that major detail, you- my friend- have been kicking and punching, and learning forms, and memorizing, and aspiring for black belt excellence!

After many months of hard work as a white belt, you earned enough stripes, and you were ready to test for an orange belt.

You knew your forms, you nailed the discipline, you grappled and sparred...and you passed your first belt test with flying colors! From White to Orange!

We are so proud of all of your hard work, SIR! 

HAI!

 

Karate Kid: part three

Aidan, 

In 2014, your karate journey began. You were a wiggly, squirmy, excited, fun-loving, bouncy, kind, gentle, amazing 3 year old.

Today, you reached quite an accomplishment: you have attained the highest belt that a Little Rhino can- the black stripe.

For the record, you are still wiggly, squirmy, excited, fun-loving, bouncy, kind, gentle and amazing. Now you're 5 (almost 6).

But, you've grown so much thanks to karate and during your lessons with Mr. Garcia and the Pro Martial Arts gang.

You've learned lessons on patience, respect, responsibility, and confidence (this was one of your favorite lessons, often asking us to repeat the examples of not confident vs. confident).

You learned a lot of skills, including Anjo (sit), Jerryip (stand!), Joomby (ready stance), sparing stance, backwards brake fall, star block, escape from bear hug and run away shouting "you're not my mom! you're not my dad. FIRE!!!!!!!!!", and how to properly make a fist.

You earned many stripes on your belts for behavior at home, doing good deeds and chores without having to be asked.

You learned and loved many great games here, including TAG, dodgeball, and don't get hit by the ball (you really like to get hit by the ball).

You overcame adversity. A very pretty female teacher kind of made you too shy to even enter the building for many weeks. We thought you might want to hang up your belt, but you chose to continue and continue working at karate.

You had fun!

You grew so much. When you started you could hardly hold still long enough to participate in activities, but now you have poise, patience, and preparedness. You have grown so much as a Little Rhino, and we are SO proud of you.

This may sound a bit like a 'goodbye' to karate. And in a way, it is. You're going to take a little bit of time off from Karate to really focus on Swim classes,  which you really, really like!

But, it doesn't have to be goodbye- it's just a pause for now. You can always suit up with your black stripe again if you so-choose.

And, swim lessons are right next door to the Dojo, so you'll always be able to drop in and say KI-AH!

We are so proud of you, and so proud of what this accomplishment up 9 belts in about 18 months means for you.

You can do anything you set your mind to, and you are a great example for others.

Every class ends like this:

Salute to the flag. 

Salute to your instructors. 

Salute to your families.

You run -and salute- off the mat into your family's arms with a huge grin and a sense of accomplishment. You are proud. And we are SO proud of you, our little black-stripe karate kid.

TANG SU!

Belt Test

Saturday. October 25.

Belt testing day.

Serious fun.

Saturday- so I got to take you, Aidan! And I am so proud!

You had a super, silly good time.

 
You listened pretty well (as well as anyone else), and are really good at the "SELF DEFENSE!" maneuver where you struggle to break a bear hold and then run away yelling "FIRE!!!!!"

At the end of the day, the judges awarded you your YELLOW STRIPE!

KIA!!!!!!

 

Karate Kid

Aidan,

This summer you tried something new: karate! 

In early summer you went for a trial class, got your uniform, and had a good time.

You were already pretty booked over the summer, so we all decided to start karate classes in the fall.

There were some jitters at the beginning...as in the beginning of each class. At first you were hesitant to go into the door. You even chose to leave a few times instead of going in. But when you do go in, you have the time of your life. 

I think the jitters are mostly gone, because just last week, you got your camo belt for attending 8 classes! 

You still have much to learn, young karate kid. But your teachers/senseis are firm and fun and understanding and you are (most importantly) having fun! 

I am so proud of you!