proud mom

Matthew had his very first stripe test at Taekwondo last night. It was more of a formal affair than I was anticipating!! They lined up all the kids, had them say their Student Creed, salute the Canadian and Korean flags, do their warm up. The school's master sat at a cloth covered table and had the kids come up and do the test. And of course we were a few minutes late...what is with these kid's activities starting at 4:15...? Seriously, I had to leave work WAY early to get the offspring, get back downtown, parked and walk to the school. eek!! Thank-gosh I have a super flexible job with super flexible hours...

Anyway, when it was Matthew's turn I was so nervous!! That was the first time I had ever felt like that. But he did awesome!! Did all the drills correctly, bowed and shook hands with Master Duk like a little pro. At the very beginning of the session, Master Duk told them all, that part of the test was sitting still. So there was one little guy that was having a hard time with this. Master Duk had already given him is new stripe but then asked him to come up to the front and Master Duk took the stripe away!! In front of all the kids!! There was not a sound made from the kids or the parents...Oh Dear!! I thought that was a little harsh, they are only 5-6 years old!! But then, they have to learn and this school is supposed to be very good and I have been very impressed with them...but still!! The poor little guy was close to tears. BUT he sat still the remainder of the session and then Master Duk called him up again and told everyone that he was impressed with the sitting still and gave the kid his stripe back.

And now we can collectively say "awwwwwww"!!!