First Day of School

The first day of school is here!! I can't believe it!  I can't believe we have a first grader and a kindergartener this year!!  They are just growing up wayyyyy to fast!!  Jaxton is in Mr. R's class who is supposed to be a wonderful fun teacher.  He got new school shoes over the weekend and was sure that he could learn how to tie them before Tuesday, the first day of school.  So we worked on it one time on Saturday.  I showed him the "squirrel going around the tree" way, and that was confusing.  So then I showed him the "two bunny ears" way and he understood that.  He tried it once and had it!!  No trouble at all.  A few months back he struggled and struggled.  Its amazing how just a few months of growth and coordination allows kids to pick up things when they are ready!  

Cooper is a kindergartener!! He is in Mrs. Kinsey's class.  She is supposed to be a wonderful teacher as well.  Cooper is excited to go to school where his big brother has been going.  He has looked forward to it.  I feel nervous for him but I know that he will do just fine and enjoy it.  It is a long day for him, so that will be a challenge, so we will see how it goes.  Cooper got a Hot Wheels backpack and a Star Wars lunch box.  He was very excited about his new sketchers shoes that light up when he walks.  He was so excited about them that he made a schedule for himself, that he would wear his new light up shoes on Monday Wednesday, and Friday so that he wouldn't wear out the battery.  Cute boy!  I am excited for this school year and to be able to volunteer in the kids classrooms more this year and to be involved in their learning and their school environment!  

Tae Kwon Do Regional Tournament

Jaxton & Cooper had the opportunity to compete in a Tae Kwon Do regional tournament in Kendallville, IN.  It actually took place at Nate's high school, East Noble High School.  They are currently camoflauge belts, but were competing with their previous belt, yellow belt, choreographed forms and "one-steps."  These are routines with different types of punches and kicks that all have a name.  They had to memorize over 20 moves in order and perform it in front of a judge all by themselves.  Since they are "Tiny Tigers," they weren't competing against anyone but themselves.  Basically they just got to perform at their best and then were recognized for their accomplishments.  It was a great experience to show what they had learned and also to see what a tournament is like.  There were older students and even teachers competing with weapons and all sorts of different movements.  Some of the Tiny Tigers (4-7 year olds) were even sparring.  Sparring is tae kwon do style "fighting."  They have helmets, mouth guards, chest padding, shoe pads, and boxing like gloves.  They "fight" by using different tae kwon do moves on each other and are scored based on the moves they do.  The boys thought it was really neat to see.  It was awfully cute too to see such little kids all dressed up like that.  In all, it was a great experience and a great accomplishment for the boys.