Karate & "Horseys"

We are SO excited that Will has started taking karate lessons! Our friend Mike's karate school has a class for kids called Little Dragons and it's for 3-7 year olds. We thought about starting Will at age 3 but kept putting it off because we didn't want to forfeit our evening time together any sooner than we had to. Extracurriculars are important to me, but they will come soon enough and then they'll never stop. So I was holding on to our peaceful family evenings with a tight grip.

But, finally, my cousin Molly mentioned to me that she was going to be starting her daughter Cora for karate classes there and I just knew Will would be ecstatic to join her. We talked to him about it and he kept agreeing that, yes, he would like to go. So, the week after school started we took him for his first class. He's been to two so far and he LOVES them. And so do we. It's not a huge commitment - just 1/2 hour once a week - and it's going to be so much more than 1/2 hour of exercise. Karate is all about learning respect and control. The kids have a pledge that they learn and the instructor quizzes them over at each class.

It goes like this:

I will obey my parents.

I will use good manners.

I will clean my room.

I will answer up to my parents and teachers.

I will never use karate to show off or pick fights.

I'm awesome!

The instructor is awesome too. It's not our friend that teaches the Little Dragons class but this guy is wonderful too. He's so patient and praising and encouraging and it thrills me that Will is going to get even more practice taking turns, following directions, answering only when called upon (good for school since he tends to just talk over people otherwise), and learning some new physical skills.

For both classes, he just jumped right in and joined them. Will is never afraid of new environments or people or experiences. He just goes with it. And he had a great time. Unfortunately, Cora hasn't gotten to come to class yet because she was sick and then on vacation for the two weeks that we've gone. But I think she's coming next week!

For the first class, we all came to watch Will. But after that, we're planning to take turns so we can each get time to watch him while the other stays home to play with Sophie and get dinner ready.

In this picture, the kids were in line and Will is taking his turn running up to do a front kick on the large pad that the boy is holding. Then they ran over to another guy, did two punches on some more pads and ran back to get in line again.

We brought Sophie a lift-the-flap book to keep her busy, but eventually Craig and I took turns taking her outside to see our cousin Julie's horses. Julie is Craig's first cousin and her husband Mike is the one that owns the school. They are some of our best friends and it's so cool that they have both of their hobbies (martial arts and horses) so close to their home, which is right in front of the school. Julie keeps her horses in the barns just outside this building.
A jumping drill. Will was landing in this picture - he's a little off. ;)

Outside, Sophie watches the horses and I help her feed them some grass.

She is entranced. Maybe someday she will enjoy riding with her Aunt Kelly and Cousin Julie and she could board her own horse with Julie's!?

Notice the distance. She REEEEEALLY wanted to feed them but was too afraid to get any closer. She liked it best when I held her in one arm and held some grass out to the horse in my other hand while she watched.

This is class #2. I took Will this time and it was just as good. He impressed me with his rolls on the mat in their first drill and he even did a better job raising his hand when Sensei asked a question, but he still needs practice staying in line and getting a little better control of his motions. It'll come.

I love watching the little kids sit like this. Their feet look so cute. :) Will has already learned a few words and numbers (for counting) in Japanese. And at this class, we also purchased his Gi that he will wear for all classes from now on. So mommy has to learn to tie a square knot to get his belt right! (Craig's going to show me.)

So, we've finally taken up an extracurricular and I think this will be a perfect one to break us in. I know I shouldn't say "finally", but some kids start at like 18 months! I really can't imagine him being mature enough to be ready for this class before now though.