JT earned his Yellow Stripe at Karate on Thursday. He was so proud! He had missed all of last week because he was sick (he actually got sick AT karate last week) and we had gone on the website to practice alone but he hadn't done the classes. So on Tuesday, Master Mendoza said they would test for their yellow stripe. For the yellow stripe you need to know the positions, front kick, back kick, upper block and down block. He had the idea, but was a little too shy to have the confidence to show Master Mendoza on Tuesday. He came home that night and wanted to practice. So we did. Yesterday he went to class READY! He even went up to Master Mendoza and said, "could you please test me for my yellow strip because I practiced!"
Here he is during the test. (sorry if the quality is bad... i only had my phone with me)
He passed with FLYING colors. SO cool. Here he is getting his stripe on his belt and running over to show me. Priceless!
I'm not sure if you can hear the instructor, but he is explaining that hard work and practice pays off. And that JT didn't give up and that is why he EARNED the yellow stripe. This is important to know because when you talk to JT about it, he always says he EARNED it. It is a real sense of accomplishment for him. Which is perfect because that is exactly why we signed up for Karate!
He also got a Black Belt Bingo sheet that he has been working hard to complete. There are a bunch of tasks ( make the bed, help with dishes, brush your teeth, go to bed without complaining,....) and if you complete a BINGO line you EARN a stripe on your belt. If you complete the whole thing, you get an ice cream sandwich! Let's just say, both rewards are PERFECT motivation of JT! LOVE IT!
Our Karate Kid!!
A closer look.
