Taekwondo

 The boys have starting going to lessons sometimes on Saturdays at a neighbor's house-taught by their coach from school.  They are continuing to enjoy this!

 Before Christmas they went to test for the high yellow level-below are the boys in line waiting for their turn to test.

 Parents watching from outside

 Inside one room trying to get all the yellow belts lined up and ready to start

 Scott and Ryan are in the front row

 Then they got moved to the other room and waited quietly in the back, watching the remaining white belts finish their tests.  They start with the youngest students and we came in and got to see the older students at this beginner level.  The head judge, sitting at the desk, was much tougher on the older students than he was when Scott and Ryan did their test for low yellow last spring.

 Going through the forms

 Below they are lined up across from a partner to do "soft sparring" no gear-no actual contact and yes Ryan was partnered with a little girl, but she had had the same training he had.  Scott was partnered with a European boy that we did not know upon our arrival but neither boy had ever met a stranger and they talked anytime there was an opportunity!

 Warming up

 Excited about their new sparring gear!

 Receiving final instructions from Coach Jon Jon-who is absolutely terrific with the kids at Taekwondo Club!

 "Hard Sparring" where everyone is wearing gear but there are specific rules about what you are allowed to do! 

 Then they had to spar individually-Ryan and his partner were on the opposite side of the room from me.

 Scott caught his new friend off guard and knocked him down once.  Scott's chest guard is blue and helmet is red.  He is the one standing and his partner is on the floor.

Both of the boys were very excited to pass and become high yellows!