Belt ceremony

Sophie has been in Karate for about 4 months now. You know how when you put your kids into some extra-curricular activity you can tell within a couple weeks whether or not they will excel or not? That is how it was with Sophie. We knew within the first week that this was going to be her thing. Everyone there always comments on how amazing she is. She gets it, and she loves it! She is still the only girl in her class and she is still giving those boys a run for their money! Let me back track a bit...

First of all let me just start by saying that Pinnacle Martial Arts was ranked #2 in the WORLD according to the National Blackbelt League! How cool is that? Anyway....they do what is called a "belt test" every 3 or so months. For each belt color students are required to know certain skills. If you know the skills, you pass off that belt. You can jump as many belts as you want as long as you know the skills. And I believe that every student is a white belt when they first start Karate. Sophie started back in January of this year but she missed the February belt test since she was so sick with mono. She has had a few months to practice and just a couple weeks ago she started doing one private lesson a week with Sensei Shelly. So she has been getting great practice for the belt test. Testing was last Thursday and OH MY GOSH!!!! Sophie went from her white belt to a GREEN BELT!!! That is 5 belts in 4 months. It takes some people their age over a year to do that!!! ALSO, Sensei Shelly announced to everyone present that there has only been ONE other person to jump from a white belt to a green belt like Sophie. She is also around the same age as her. So, yeah, I am a little bit proud if you can't tell. Starting next week her Sensei has recommended that Sophie be moved up to the next age group. I think this will make her excel even more. So we are very proud of her. She has worked so hard and I catch her practicing all the time. 

This is a video from the belt ceremony today. Be sure to turn down my music at the bottom and crank up the volume so you can hear her Sensei speak. I cannot find the video from her actual test but I have a ton of pictures of course. 

as a show of respect students are required to remove their original oobi while facing away from their sensei.

not sure how this got started but sensei ties their old oobi around her ankles and then puts it on their heads giving them bunny ears. the kids sure get a kick out of it.

then she ties their new oobi on for them

HOORAY SOPHIE!!!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!