Testing

 

Maddie had her testing today at school, and tonight at taekwondo.  But I would think this testing at the studio was more fun for her, as she typically does really well with taekwondo.  The group above were the ones involved in testing at various stages for their black belts.  Maddie has an entire year or so to go until she tests for her second degree black belt, with several of these testing cycles in between.

Nana and Mom were there was well as all the other parents to see their students test, and although there are no belts or big awards at the end of this, it does mark the passage of time for Maddie, as it was over a year ago that she got her black belt, and now we're about half-way to that second degree black belt.  Her goal is to keep plugging away until she gets that, and maybe even work towards that third degree over a larger time period.  We'll see.  Until then, here are a few pictures from tonight's testing.

That last picture isn't from testing, but rather from the class just prior - her leadership class - where the kids were doing one last session with the kamas before they move on to the next weapon in the cycle, the bo staff.  

It was a big night, and a little longer one too.  We enjoyed the fellowship with other parents and the usual celebrations we've all gotten used to afterwards, with group photos and families congratulating one another.  It's always nice, even this far into the process.  

We stopped at Chick-Fil-A on the way home to pick up some dinner, enjoying some grilled chicken nuggets as Maddie relived some of the memories of tonight's testing.  Afterwards, we had time for one more episode of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."  There are only two left as we march towards this series ending. We've seen all these before, but this recent binge started last year or so.  That said, it'll be bittersweet getting to the end.  Maddie loves that show.

"The Mysterious Benedict Society" continued tonight at story time, and we said our prayers when we finished the next chapter.  I've been super under the weather today, so it was an early night's rest for all of us.  But it was a good day for Maddie, who did well tonight.  She's really, really good with her form and even with sparring.  She's courageous, even when feeling a little fear about certain opponents.  Her muscle memory was on full display tonight as she was going through her form and later on not remembering that she did everything exactly as she was supposed to.

Testing week seems to be starting out really well.