Purple Belt

Madison earned her purple belt tonight, and as you can see above, we had some special visitors on hand to witness it all.  Mommy and Daddy were there as well, of course, having not missed a belt yet.  Daddy vowed to never be like Howard Langston, by gum, and we'll be there for every belt!

The evening went as all the others evenings generally have thus far, with a testing for the belts.  There was a good deal of exercise at the front, where students were doing jumping jacks, push-ups, and all kinds of leg kicks as well.  You can see Madison above, kicking high!

Then it was time for the sparring.  Madison's face in this picture is so ferocious!  But she was taking it easy on this girl, believe it or not.  You wouldn't know from looking at these pictures though.

Madison has experience with certain students and of course the belt color helps determine a little about how she goes about facing off against other students.  In tonight's case, she was with a student who was one belt rank lower, so she actually pulled back a little.  Just a little.

Soon after came the much-practiced form demonstration.  Madison and her group actually did theirs twice, and both times she did outstanding.  Just a week ago, she was a bit hesitant and not so sure.  But she did well tonight!

And so, now our daughter is a purple belt, moving up in the ranks rather swiftly, this due to a persistent schedule and practice.  The tradition above of course is that family members tie the belt, signifying the support that they've given throughout the process, because it's not just you alone that earns the belt.  Mommy and Daddy did it for several belts previous, so we thought since the grandparents were here, why not let them do the belt knot this time.  And so now the purple belt will always be known as the one tied by Nana and Ye-Ye.

Madison had a few group pictures after this, as is our tradition.  Tonight, she posed with Bart and Tucker, and also just before that we had the usual group shot, showcasing all the students who advanced one belt color.

It was a nice evening, but Madison wasn't done getting things yet!  Nana and Ye-Ye had one big surprise for her, something they brought to the studio tonight.

I wonder what it is?  It was wrapped so nicely, and it's such a big present.  Madison went to a side room to open it up and see, while the rest of us looked on.



Would you look at that!  It's something to display the taekwondo belts on!  Nana and Ye-Ye ordered this one online and even though Madison's birthday is a month away, they thought this would be a perfect time to give her this gift.

It was very thoughtful!  And what a wonderful evening it was too!  We decided right after this to get some ice cream over at the mini-golf course, sitting on the deck there in those rocking chairs.  The temperature was just right, and the ice cream was delicious as the five of us chatted and had our ice creams.

After that, we said our goodbyes, and went on home to head to bed.  It was a later evening getting back, but we had enough time for the devotional and prayers.  Madison's memorized the Prayer of Jabez by this point, and we finished our prayers tonight with her leading us in that one.

It was a good day.  Earlier, Madison had a pretty big math test to take, and that was the story of the day for school.  Things are wrapping up - including this math test, which she'll have to continue on Wednesday.  We haven't heard from the school about any ceremonies or anything like that, so I suppose it just ...ends.  But it's been a good year for her, of course.  And she's already looking forward to next year.  Tomorrow is that yearbook class meeting, where she'll be seeing what she'll be doing in the following year.  That'll be exciting.  But the chapter of Sixth Grade is slowly coming to a close, and it was eventful with occasional bumps, but a lot of good memories and a lot of growth and learning.  It's been a good school year!