Houston, We Have a Yellow Belt!

Sensei Sue told Thing Two on Wednesday that she was ready for the promotional exam today, but I still went into it a bit nervous and wondering how I would encourage her if she didn't make it on this, her first try at becoming a yellow belt.  I needn't have worried; she did great! 

Watching the promotional was fascinating.  They went through each level doing one kind of thing, then another, then another, etc., so everyone was there the whole time, and the lower belts like Thing Two got to see what would be expected of them at higher levels.  My heart broke for the three high-level kids who got hurt during the final exercises (two boys got socked in the nose, and one girl fell and landed really badly on her shoulder), but I got all teary not just when Thing Two got her yellow belt, but also when the other kids who passed got their certificates & belts.

Both boys who were up for black belts got them, and one was the youngest black belt EVER for this karate program.  A girl who was already a lower-level (striped black-and-white) black belt received her solid black belt today b/c today was her 18th birthday (I guess you can't have a solid white belt unless you're an adult). The senseis had even brought a big birthday cake for her and everyone there sing to her. Very cool!