Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Embracing Womanhood

The other day Sofia randomly asked me, "How do we eat from our bodies?"
I had to inquire a bit more to figure out she meant, "How do babies eat from their Mommies?"
I told her that Mommies make special milk just for their babies.
"THAT...IS...SO...AWESOME!", was her reply as she pumped her fists into the air. :)

Photo from a year ago...

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Maxx's Fall Piano Recital

Every Spring and every Fall, Maxx has a piano recital.  He played Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Try as I may, I cannot download it directly to the blog.  But for your viewing pleasure, it can be seen at MobileMe Gallery - Maxx Fall Recital 2010 Check it out!



Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Hi-Brown Belt

For months...literally...he has been a mid-brown belt since March...Maxx has been working to earn his Hi-Brown Belt.  For this test he has to show that he knows and can perform well all three forms they have been working on since white belt and his basics (kicks, punches, etc.).  He tested in June and although his basics looked good, he just didn't have the forms down as he should.  Another three months went by...he tested yet again...this time his forms looked better, but his basics weren't up to speed.  We decided together with Maxx to sign him up for the black belt prep class.  Master Preston offers it twice a year before the big black belt tests.  Basically it's a boot camp of sorts.  Since none of the other brown belts had passed (they are all 7-9 yr. old boys - a lot like Maxx), Maxx was the only one to sign up.  Master Preston was very kind to take the time to work just with Maxx.  In just 6 prep classes and with practice at home and in his regular karate classes, Maxx was ready to test again.  Last night he finally earned his Hi-Brown belt!  He even performed the 4th form he just started learning.  Master Preston told Juan that he has never seen so much improvement in a student in such a short time.  We always knew Maxx had it in him - he just had to want it!

Presenting him with the belt...


Actually getting that belt...


The excitement in a job well done!


We are so very proud of you, Maxx!

Next up...Conditional Black Belt testing in December!
We know you can do it!

Halloween 2010

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


The Beautiful Butterfly!


The Awesome and Amazing Tonks!


The Crafty Swindler of a Jawa!


For his eyes we used glow bracelets...


Looks much better in the dark.


Meet Mike Wazowski


He was Maxx's entry for the pumpkin contest at school.


Together they earned 1st place in the Movie Character category!


Our Halloween Pumpkins


I think this is the first year we actually got around to putting candles in them.


Three days later - thanks to the AZ heat and a porch that gets direct sunlight almost all day, they were a shriveled, moldy, smelly mess.

Beautiful Arizona Sunset

One thing I always remember about our trips to Arizona was their beautiful sunsets.  Maybe it's because I have a Mom who was constantly pointing them out to us growing up. :)  This was the sunset as we got home from the last karate tournament.  Just beautiful!


Tournament Time!

Abby and Maxx competed in Northern AZ Open 2010.  It was held in Camp Verde and sponsored by our karate school's sister schools.

Abby competed in Traditional Forms and in Sparring.  She earned 2nd place and 1st place respectively.


Maxx competed in Open Forms and in Sparring.  He received his first trophies!  He earned 1st place in Open Forms and 3rd place in Sparring.  He really has come a long way in the last couple months.


We are so very proud of our Honorable Ninjas!


On a side note... Sofia was all over the place making new friends.  She has a way with people.  She charmed the judges to the point they were giving her food from the official judges room.  Too bad they don't give trophies out for that!

Arizona Museum for Youth

Sofia went on a field trip with her preschool class to the Arizona Museum for Youth.



She and her preschool friends made yummy snacks for us.


They had a "tree" with fruits, bugs, and birds that velcro onto it.


They had a blast building a "castle" with the blocks.


Sofia made a monster to bring home.


She had fun playing with the cute wooden dollhouse.


They had an awesome light table.