Kintropy In Action

Gabriel has been going to his Dojo around 6 months (with I think one month off for Hannah’s hospitalization). Saturday was his first time to test in Tae kwon do (we had all been on medication for over 24 hours which is supposed to make us no longer contagious). This test had been in the works for a month.

So at 1:45 pm we made it to the Dojo. Gabriel was testing for his orange belt. There were four other children testing that day. I’d never been to one of these before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Their ages ranged from 4 to 8. The children were told to sit in a straight line.

 

 

Hannah, who had not had a nap, had no patience for this. She carried on, so her Zaddie took her for a walk. Gabriel clapped for his teammates as they showed off their skills. From time to time, I could watch his sitting stance and expression go into that a-person-off-somewhere-else glaze, but he returned often enough to clap and "Kia!" at the right times.

During Gabriel’s turn, he showed enthusiasm and completed two perfect front rolls. He could not remember his goals, so after the ceremony, we went over them, and he was able to tell his Sensai them.

1. Do morning chores (he suggested this; we had none in place before)
2. Listen to Mom and Dad the first time we ask him to do something
3. Learn to read a level 1 book by himself.

These are goals he will need to accomplish, besides learning new techniques, in order to get his next belt. He signed a contract to that effect.

 

 

Have I mentioned yet I love Tae Kwon Do?

Gabriel has already taken ownership of these goals. He asked me this morning for chores and worked pretty diligently on listening the first time. He is also showing more patience in sounding out words. Dad and he are even working on push-ups and sit-up together.

--Mom