THEY CAN LIVE ANOTHER DAY...

THEY PASSED!

First, we'll talk about weapons testing. Not quite as happy about that one, but we'll hope for the best in 2 weeks at make-up test when they'll get another chance at doing their tonfa (the wooden nightstick looking things they are doign to the left) right. If you notice in that picture, they are doing different things. Since they are supposed to be doing the SAME kata, they SHOULD be doing the SAME thing at the SAME time. 'Nuff said, eh? Anyway, they passed 2 out of 3 weapons & got to advance on, so they now have orange shima in numchuks; kept purple shima in tonfa until make-up test; and earned blue shima for bow.

But happier times came on Friday night when they PASSED THEIR TEST and became BROWN BELTS! There are 10 rankings, starting with 10th Kyu (white belt) and now they are at 2nd Kyu! They must train for 2 quarters each in 2nd kyu (brown belt) and 1st Kyu (brown belt with black stripe), so at this time next year, they could possibly be testing to be BLACK BELTS.

S-C-A-R-Y!!

Anyway, we are VERY proud of them! The test was at a church very near Grandmother's house, so we picked her up & took her with us. She got to see what they have been doing the last two years, year round, every Monday & Wednesday... whew! Here they are starting their test with their knuckle push-ups. The concept is that it helps to strengthen their hands for board breaking. If you think it's easy, drop and just try one or two on a hard floor -- it's really hard to do! There's also pics of the kids getting ready to spar (kumite). They started out sparring each other, until Sensei saw it & split them up. His theory is that brothers fight enough at home; they should have different partners during kumite time. At least they didn't sissy-slap each other like they do sometimes at home LOL!