Tristar Promotion Videos

Reciting the Creed...

End of the Creed...

Bully defense with Mr. Dumas...

Breaking the board with a palm strike with Ms. Sue...

Getting his new belt from Mr. Benson...

Little Ninja to Ninja Kid...Tristar Promotion Night

Inspite of Lukas' on again/off again interest in attending Karate he did earn enough stripes to be promoted to the next belt, a camo with white strip. This promotion also moves him from the Little Ninja class to the Ninja Kid class. He current registration gives him until Sept. 18th to attend class so he will get to try that class out before his time runs out. Since we have had to fight to get him to go and had issues with his participation in class when he does we have decided to switch to gymnastics for the fall. If he wants we will re-visit Karate when he is a little older. I will say that the last few classes since vacation his focus and participation have been much improved. Figures!

LUKAS SITTING QUIETLY WAITING FOR TESTING TO BEGIN

ATTENTION STANCE WAITING TO RECITE THE CREED...LOOKING VERY SERIOUS
RECITING THE LITTLE NINJA CREED WITH GUSTO
READY STANCE
WAITING TO GO THROUGH BLOCKS, PUNCHES AND KICKS

LISTENING QUIETLY ABOUT BULLY DEFENSE WITH MR. DUMAS
SHOWING HOW TO GET AWAY FROM A BULLY
ADMIRING HIS BROKEN BOARD

Ok, I don't know whose child this was because usually Lukas is fidgeting around and making faces in the mirror. Usually the only time he is still is at the very end when they give them their stripes. Mr. Benson told him at the end of a somewhat bad class that if he stood still the whole time while he gave out the stripes that Lukas could have his for that day. Mr. Benson intentionally took a long time. Lukas didn't budge the entire time! Nothing short of a miracle. Ever since that class Lukas stands completely still until he gets his stripe and class is dismissed.

STANDING QUIETLY WHILE WAITING TO GET HIS NEW BELT
TAKING THEIR OLD BELTS OFF IN PREPARATION
STILL WAITING PATIENTLY
MOM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? CAN'T YOU SEE I'M CONCENTRATING?
MOM, LOOK AT MY NEW BELT!
SHOWING OFF THEIR BOARDS AT THE END OF THE BELT CEREMONY. SERIOUS STUFF HERE...
OK, NOW THAT LOOKS MORE LIKE MY LUKAS!
HIGH FIVE CELEBRATION TIME
THIS IS MORE TYPICAL OF LUKAS. BEING SILLY WITH MR. BENSON
OK, NOW THERE BOTH JUST BEING SILLY
He got all excited when Ms. Chris told him he was a Ninja kid now.

Double Header

First up...Promotion day for Martial Arts. Lukas was promoted to Camoflauge belt. Of course my camera decided to act up when Lukas got his turn to break the board. Fortunately our neighbor's son is in Lukas' class and she took one for me.
Getting a little pre class chat with Mr. Parsons Showing off his new belt

We had a quick bite to eat and then it was off to T-ball practice. Getting some pointers from Coach James

Swing and miss...

Nailed this one out past 2nd base.

Martial Arts Class 2...Swamp Monsters

Lukas had his first group lesson today. He walked right in, took off his shoes and socks and sat down just like the other 2 kids that were already there for class. He was very curious about all the things in the room and was asking the instructor all sorts of questions. He was doing great as they started out with the Ninja creed until they got to number 4. He then came over to me and said he wanted to leave. He struggles with all the chit chat at the beginning. He just wants to get right into it.

The instructor informed us this was quite normal for the first class or two. That's why they give the trial offer. We convinced him to sit and watch as they went through the exercises. Then came Swamp Monster game! He listened to what was going on and then once they started he jumped off my lap, ran ove and joined in.



The premise is that two of the instructors close their eyes and try and touch the ninjas with the foam sticks as they move across the floor. If they get tapped they have to go back and start again. This clip proves to me that Lukas really can listen and follow directions.



His next class will be Friday. We'll see if he stays in for the whole class this time.

Our little Ninja

We were offered a free one month trial offer from the local Martial Arts facility and decided it was time to take them up on their offer. Lukas had his first lesson tonight. It was a private lesson so I opted not to take photos. She took him through some blocking and kicking exercises. Then his favorite part was when she let him break a board with is foot (shoe on for this). She then awarded him his white belt and put it on him. He wore it home. Saturday he goes back for his first group lesson. If he is able to maintain focus and not disrupt things we will sign him up for the full 7 month Ninja class and he will get his first uniform free. I may take some pictures or video on Saturday if it isn't to distracting to the Ninjas.