kaleidoscoping chaos...: "Not everything is as it seems"

That is what Mr. Myagi tells Danielson in the movie The Karate Kid (the one from 1984) after he has him washing the car, painting, and cleaning up. Daniel wanted to learn karate... Mr. Myagi replies, "Not everything is as it seems."

Ah great wisdom for life!

My Jonah, he has a zest for life that is completely intoxicating, amazing and contagious. He is also really really physical and often can't control himself - as in he will push, punch or use his body in an aggressive way. He is 3. I figured we needed to nip this in the bud.

Karate.

Jocelyn kept talking about it. Jocelyn's mom kept suggesting it. Nana spent an entire cab ride talking to her cab driver about it - then reported it all to me.

Then over Sukkot, my friend said she was going to a Karate interview with her son (another infectiously wonderful, smart and somewhat overzealous toddler). She said her friend with another similarly situated son had started and it was changing their lives...

The next day I called to make our "interview" appointment at Kicks Karate at the Glen Echo location.

And our journey began.

The interview was scheduled for 30 minutes. We were there for almost an hour. Jonah was having none of it. Not listening. That is until Mr. David let him go running around the dojo... then we made a little bit of progress.

Here we are at our interview:

Then we started class. We signed up for the nine month program. They insisted that if we religiously attended twice a week for nine months - it would be a life changing experience. They also warned us not to worry - the first few weeks would be tough. I warned them - Jonah isn't an easy nut to crack. He is as stubborn as a mule and his will power - it is like that of a navy seal being water boarded by the enemy - he doesn't bend! They insisted they knew what they were doing.

He got his uniform and a white belt. (The uniform is like the cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life!!!) He liked his uniform and his belt... but I still wasn't sure...

Our first class he was crying and would not let me sit with the parents. I was with him on the mat and he was not participating... it was so not fun. Half way through they took him to the back room crying...

For the next 5 classes, he did not want to do it by himself and ended up crying in the back room. But each time he cried less. The 4th time they invited me in the back to see him do all the moves. The fifth class he spent part of the class in the front room. And then, in the 6th class, he did the whole class in the front room!?!?! Three weeks and he was actually doing it and not crying.

WOW! And he was excited about it.

And he started teaching it to Vera (who I had been leaving home with a babysitter because I couldn't deal with the both of them at Karate...)

And we started practicing it at home.

And he started talking about getting his next belt color.

And most of all we were talking about FIRST TIME LISTENING!

That is the big thing at this Karate school. FIRST TIME LISTENING EVERY TIME!

We need that in our house. Somtimes, they ask the parents during class to report on the kid's listening!!! I love that part!

Here are pictures from the 7th class:

Then it happened that there was going to be the belt exam. Jonah's 9th class in karate and he was going to do his first belt exam - that's how we roll over here - go big or go home! We signed up!

The exam was on a Friday early afternoon. Unlike the regular class of about 10 kids - there were at least 40 kids there for the exam - plus parents and grandparents and siblings... it was sort of chaotic!

I wasn't sure how Jonah would do - but he always blows me away!

He did it all. He was great!

AND THEY BROKE BOARDS WITH THEIR FEET!!!! One at a time, when their name was called they stood up and broke a board with their foot?!?!

He got to keep his board. He received his yellow belt. We went out for yogurt with his buddies after the exam.

We came home and had Karate Shabbot with Auntie Chris and Vera and he told them ALL about it. It was awesome.

And since then, now I bring Vera with me when we go to Karate.

Last night, we went and Jonah was back in the back room - why?

Because he was not listening... he was sent there with 2 of his little buddies who were also not behaving... He is not afraid anymore. He "hi ya"s all the time (and sometimes even to his sister...) But he also is much better at First Time Listening...some times... not every time.

He has successfully taught Vera everything he knows and now she walks around "hi ya"ing and "yes sir"ing as well.

Now, I am often screaming, "attention" at my kids when they start acting a bit crazy and they both will stand up quickly and yell back, "yes mam" - the whole thing is quite surreal...

It looks like I am going to raise two Karate Kids, for better or for worse... (Vera can start when she turns 3)

(And it also turns out there is a dance studio right next door - we went to check it out the other day and both Jonah and Vera want to do it! Funny how one little 30 minute interview can lead you down a path of so many opportunities - as in pink tutus and tap shoes - I love it when life takes you on these twists and turns and they are the fun ones!)

Our journey continues, one day at a time... and not everything is as it seems!

THE YELLOW BELT EXAM: