Belt Test

The whole family (except Max) has been taking Taekwondo since January. Pearl and Sam started last June, then the grownups joined. We go to class 2 nights a week, and I must say that I LOVE it. I had to talk Jared into it initially (by the time we pay for 3, he's free), but he likes it now too. I think my favorite part is that we see him earlier on class days (5:45) than we ever do at home. Sam takes a kid class, then Pearl, Jared, Sherry, and I are in family class together.

Saturday was our first belt test (except for Pearl, she's done it 4 times now). It was fun to all be together, and it was fun to get a new belt! Sam is pretty much a goof off in class, I was sure he was pretty much never going to be invited to test, but Master Yi took pity on him. He was excited all week, and tried really hard in class. Of course, during the test, he had an audience and had to be a clown, but that's only to be expected from Sam, right?

Sam is still pretty much a wet noodle. I think he's gotten better, but it's pretty obvious in class who the Hulbert kids are... the ones with no coordination!!!
He was SO PROUD that his board broke into THREE!!!!
See the amazement!
His best friend Evan takes class too. Evan is much more coordinated. As they grow up, I'm worried about these two sparring. I'm pretty sure Evan is going to cream him, especially after Master Yi matched them up to Promise Fight (promise not to touch each other) and Evan slapped his fist in his hand like a threatening gangster. I hope Sam gets good enough to match him at some point!
Pearl has definitely shown the most improvement. She works really hard, it's not easy for her. But just look at her, she looks pretty good. It's still hard for me to take her seriously with those cute pigtails, though!
She graduated to a grownup board thickness this time, MUCH harder! She was a champ, and she's getting stronger all the time. Good thing Master Yi was there to help!
Sherry and Jared doing their oral exam. I must say, Sherry is quite impressive during class. Master Yi even once said (in surprise?) that she has really strong legs. Thus is the Madsen legacy.
Jared still had a big piece of board left after kicking, so Master Yi had him break the rest with his knife hand. Jared's really strong, he pretty much demolished it. I'm pretty sure I don't have the power to punch a board.
Amazing for a grandma, huh?!
My friend Kevin got this shot of me doing my forms. As we can see, by the size of my belly and the shortness of my belt, it was time for a new one. My new one is bigger than Jared's, hopefully it will last a while!
I did a roundhouse kick to break my board. Got it on the first try, Yes!!
Isn't she beautiful? She's so proud of her color belt - she's still one belt ahead of the grownups. It's amusing when she gives us pointers or tells us to listen in class:)

Go Elite!!!