State Ballroom Competition

Yesterday Aubrey and her friend, Keneisha, competed at the State Ballroom Competition, which is one of the largest events of its kind for our area.  Competitors from surrounding states also come to participate. 

Like most other competitions, it means having to wait around awhile before your turn actually comes up.

In the meantime, it gives the adults a chance to make sure all of the final touches are taken care of - sequins, hair pieces, makeup, bobby pins, tucking stray ends, and...

These two didn't seem to be nervous one bit.

Aubrey and her partner, Isaiah. 

Isaiah's also had to learn to put up with me and my camera.  You're a good sport, Isaiah, thanks for all the smiles!    :)

 

Keneisha and her partner, Mickey.

It's time!  On deck and waiting in line with about 35-40 other couples for the exact same dances.  Aubrey and Isaiah competed in the Tango, Swing, Mambo, and Rumba categories. 

Competition Results: Aubrey and Isaiah made it through to the quarter-finals on every one of their dances and also made it to a semi-final or two (can't quite remember - she danced a lot so it was hard to keep track.)  Aubrey showed a great deal of improvement since last year and had a great time competing.

A Few After Shots:
It's not very often I get a chance to take pictures of Aubrey where she is all dolled up like this, so I had to seize the opportunity when I had the chance.

Aubrey and her Grandma.

(Grandpa was there too, he just happened to be out getting the car started, it was freezing outside!)

 

Iraq Demonstrations

It certainly didn't take long for the protests in Egypt to expand to its nearby neighbors.  The people of Iraq have begun their own series of demonstrations.

Which means the U.S. military bases in Iraq are currently on alert.  Jed's base is located more on the outskirts of the city, so it was rather quiet for him.  Though I'm not so sure about his brother, Joe, who is on a different base in the middle of Baghdad.  Joe just happens to be stationed right smack in the middle of all of this. 

I guess we'll see how this all plays out.  There's already been clashes between the demonstrators and police.  Reported deaths are beginning to accumulate.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011224192028229471.html

Moving Up

Ronin had a Belt Test in karate last week.  He was excited about this particular test because passing it meant he would be able to move up to the next class. 

"Clearing" his mind on the way to class:

Focused and ready.

Ronin always does a great job taking it seriously and doing his best.

Connor being supportive from the sideline.

Announcing the test results.

Ronin's name was called.  :)

Yay!  Ronin passed his test.

Way to go, Ronin!

His buddy, Andrew, passed too.

Yesterday Ronin got to attend his new class for the first time.
There was one particular reason as to why Ronin was so excited to be in this class, and that reason would have something to do with this helmet:

SPARRING!     (aka: contact fighting)

In this class, Ronin gets to start learning how to fight.  How is that not exciting to any seven year old boy?  From a teaching standpoint, sparring gives the students a chance to start putting all the skills they've learned into practice.

He looked so cute with all of his gear on. 

I was excited for him; I knew how much he'd been looking forward to this class.

Mouth guard face.  :)

Class begins.

The first exercise was to hold still while your partner practiced hitting with light contact (pulling the punches instead of letting them sink in.)  Just standing there and getting hit made Ronin smile from ear to ear.

Ronin's turn, watch out! 

At first Ronin didn't quite get the "light contact" concept and was putting in some strong punches to his partner.  His instructor came over and and walked Ronin through it until he completely understood how he was to fight.  He caught on quickly.  

It's no surprise this this would be Ronin's most favorite part of class.

Changing up sparring partners.  The girls can certainly hold their own in this class.  This girl drilled Ronin in the head.

But Ronin quickly caught on how to move and duck out of the way so his partner couldn't hit him so much.  He was able to get some punches in as well.  I must say, he did pretty well for his first time sparring.    

The last sparring match was everybody against everybody.  The kids loved it.

The last half of class focused on stances, kicks, and blocks.

I think it's safe to say Ronin feels right at home in his new class.