I woke this morning with a sense of dread. It was belt test day. We had been talking about it for a while with him. If he didn't pass it, not only would he not get the next belt but he would be giving up karate for the rest of the year. Our reasoning was if he was not mature enough to pass the belt test (because we KNEW he knew the moves), then why continue to pay for karate classes.
I knew we had a few obstacles against us. First was t-ball/pictures for tball, which were at 11:30 before the test. Second, his aunt and uncle were coming, which while he was excited about it I was slightly concerned it would further distract him. Third, he woke this morning a little cranky complaining of pain in his side (usually gas).
So I let him sleep as late as possible, and I made sure he had a very big breakfast of eggs, sausage, and biscuits. His attitude improved and he was becoming his normal self again. I realized that we had snack today so I had to do a quick run to kroger for his teammates...oops!
Tball was it's normal craziness. Picture day then the game. I brought my niece and daughter to the house during the game because my niece agreed to babysit...her first time ever babysitting! Of course I missed B's catching the ball for the first time this season and even though I left the camera with him hubby neglected to film or photograph anything!
After Tball we swung by the house and got B into his karate uniform. I asked him if he was going to do good today and he just shrugged. I got REALLY nervous at that point. No one wants to watch their kid fail and I considered just saying he was sick and trying to reschedule his test for another day. Rational thought kicked in and we climbed in the car to head to his test.
When we got to the dojo, we were the first student/family there. Sempai Greg was eating lunch and we had to stop B from bugging him a few times. Instead we convinced him to explain to Michele and Greg the specifics of what to do when you enter the dojo, etc. When people started to arrive we grabbed our seats in the room but where he wouldn't be able to see us. He was acting a little goofy and I was getting nervous. My palms were sweaty and my pulse was racing...I haven't been that nervous in a loooong time!
The belt test started with role call- when sensai called their names they were supposed to sit down. B's name was called and he just stood there and said "what?" I almost wanted to leave because I knew it wasn't going to go well.
After role call was positions, blocks, and punches. Shihan (the main guy) presided over it and quized the kids on what the moves were called in Japanese. I wasn't paying 100% attention because Brandon kept looking back and I didn't want to give him attention to further act out. I heard Shihan call on Brandon and felt my heart jump to my throat. I didn't hear what Brandon said because he said it quietly, but I saw the shocked/happy look on Shihan's face followed by "Very Good, Brandon!" I looked over at hubby and said "he got it?! Really?" and hubby had a tear or two in his eye. I think he was as worried as I was and as shocked when he answered a question correctly!
From that point on I started getting hopeful that he may actually do this. He finished the punches/blocks/kicks section paying attention, which was a refreshing change from the norm! Then it was sparring time. We got his gear on and he was focused. During sparring he was paired with a kid more than a head taller than him. Sparring hasn't been his strongest skill because he isn't as aggressive as the other kids. This kid kept pushing him back , and my little boy kept coming back for more! At that point I was so proud of him that even if he didn't pass his test I would have been proud at how well he'd handled himself.
Next they did drills across the floor. Brandon did very well during this session, as it has always been his strong suit. They even added a few drills he had never done before and he did very well. He struggled a little with the army crawl, but overall he did well. At this point Shihan was walking around and walked over to us and said "he must really want that belt, I have never seen him do so well!" Hubby and I both beamed with pride and knew he got his new belt. I spent the rest of the time doing a lot of swallowing to keep from crying as I took picture after picture to further distract myself.
Once testing was over, the kids were sitting as their names were being called. Shihan called a Gradon, which sounded like Brandon when he said it. Brandon stood up and Shihan told him to sit down. I could see him completely deflate, like he thought he failed at that point. He laid on the floor in his spot and Trevor and I had to keep trying to get him to sit back up. Finally his name was called. He didn't get up right away this time in case they weren't saying his name again. Shihan said, "yes, you, get up here." He got his certificate and new belt and the smile on his face when he turned around was priceless. He beamed with pride as he knew he earned that belt. Fortunately I was hidden behind the camera and he didn't see the tears in my eyes because I was so proud of him!
After all the kids received their belts, the kids get their new belts on then go to Shihan, who writes their names on them. Shihan told Brandon he was proud of him and that he did really well. Sempai Greg came over to congratulate him and to tell him he will now be coming to the ADVANCED Mighty Mite Class which meets on different days. The old B was back and he was bouncing off the walls. If I could have gotten away with it I would have been right there with him!
Now Mommy and Daddy have to hold up our end of the
- seeing Cars 2 on opening weekend
- camping out with daddy Saturday night
- continue karate until September
- a t-shirt from the dojo so he doesn't have to wear the long sleeve uniform in the heat.
I think that is all, but I am sure if I forgot any B will remind me!
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