Category Archives: Family Adventures

Family Adventures, Photo-A-Day

Family Adventure Day and Martial Arts Graduation

At Hopkinton State Park
Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00906

Today was our martial arts graduation day. My graduation ceremony was in the morning after my Krav Maga class. We had a fun class and then the graduation ceremony began. I was the only person moving to advanced red in the ceremony and that is the last belt before a black belt. I let that sink in during the ceremony and man I have so much work to do in the next six months as I work towards being able to test for my black belt. It was a good morning.

My Graduation

After the class one of my friends took this photo of me with my instructor, Mr. Brochu.

I made my daily vlog about our day.

We planned today to be a family adventure day and when I got home and took a shower we hopped in the car and headed to Hopkinton to have lunch at Snappy Dogs. We haven’t seen the ladies at Snappy Dogs in a while and it was great to spend some time seeing them. I got a Great Dane, their 1/2lb Pearl hot dog with some great condiments. Allison, Eva and Andy each got big dogs and enjoyed them very much. My hot dog was nearly as long as Andy’s arm. He wanted to get one that size, too. We figured that he probably shouldn’t do that today because he had his karate belt ceremony in the afternoon.

Great Dane at Snappy Dogs

After Snappy Dogs we went to the Hopkinton State Park to take a walk around the place. I had driven by that place for several years on my way to work and had never gone in. It was nice to be able to visit and check it out. We will try to come back later in the Summer to go kayaking or do something else like that.

at The State Park

We headed back from Hopkinton State Park so that we could get ready for karate. We dropped by the house and then grabbed our stuff to head out to the dojo. Andy and Eva each had great graduation ceremonies. They were the same as mine this time and I detail it in my vlog above. After Andy’s graduation, which was second, we took photos with Sensei Sarah and Mr. Brochu.

Andy and Sensei Sarah

Andy with Sensei Sarah

Andy with Mr Brochu

Andy asks Mr. Brochu to recreate this photo every graduation.

The Kids With Mr Brochu

The kids with Mr. Brochu. He is the main instructor for Eva’s class and helps out with Andy’s class.

The Family with Mr Brochu

All of us with Mr. Brochu.

Family Adventures, Photo-A-Day, Vlog

Martial Arts Stripe Test Day

Working through It
Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00878

Today was Stripe Test for Andy, Eva and Me. Stripe Test happens every month on our way to our next belts. Andy and I need to earn 6 stripes to earn a next belt. Eva is at the level where she has to earn three stripes in order to get her next belt. That means that if we do well this coming month and pass our next Stripe/Belt test then we will each advance to a new belt.

After my test this morning I started the daily vlog and my intent was to have each of the kids talk with me about their testing experiences. Eva was eager to do so and I have included some footage of her test in the video. She is doing a really great job in class and really enjoys being there. It is physically demanding but she is really growing stronger and more confident each class. She did very well in her test.

I asked Andy if he would like to be a part of the vlog but he did not want to be part of it. Andy is struggling right now in his classes. He has expressed that he no longer enjoys karate and does not want to keep taking classes. We are encouraging him to stick with it because of all the benefits in the long run. He had to do some extra testing with one of the assistant instructors after his class. He did not fail the test, he just had to show that he knew how to do the form and could perform the correct kicks. What I love about the program is that the instructors on down there is a terrific way of teaching that is kind and supportive. I shot today’s photo while Andy was working through his form with the assistant instructor. I think that Andy may have been a bit embarrassed that he did not get his stripe with everyone one else in the larger class. He shouldn’t be. He still worked really hard and achieved the goal of the stripe. We’re just going to have to work on practicing more at home before his belt test and beyond. I just don’t want to see him giving up.