And...

...boys who get black belts might be ready to learn to mow the lawn?  Just spotted outside getting careful instruction from Dad.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjZGFDMHl4Wi1XZ0U

Junior Black Belt - Owen

Owen tested for his junior black belt in Uechi-Ryu karate this morning and was victorious!  He began classes in 1st grade (he's beginning 5th now) and has applied himself steadily and with increasing maturity all that time.  He loves karate and it suits him to a T!  I call him a tiny Viking and his sensei is always referencing his warrior spirit.  That said, he does not use his ability to beat others up when he shouldn't and is for the most part very restrained.  Watch out if he feels the need to defend himself, though :}

I won't post all the footage, but here are some highlights.

My favorite first, the final black belt form/kata, 'Seisan':
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjNkhwRkVFVDlKSm8

And with his other peers getting black belts, 'Kanshiwa Bonkai', putting the kata into use in a choreographed fight:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjV3lqeHdkZU5NcEU

The most fundamental kata of Uechi-Ryu, 'Sanchin':
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjVGpwY1BneVNqRUE

And some sparring...
...with Sensei Steve
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjem5JUlE0a0xHcTg

And with another student...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjdVY3V0oyNUxqUjA

And finally, the black belt ceremony!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjS1FVZDNfRXB6RE0

Europe 2017, Part 2

Upon leaving London, we rented a car at a suburb as far away as the tube would carry us (and oy, that is a story!  Take it from us, check the trains for delays if you have somewhere to be at a certain time!  Unexpected overnight lodging cost us an extra 120 pounds, hmm.)

But when we arrived at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Lucas' house, we found a darling niece, eager to play, so very cute and into everything!!  We love her :)  Asher is always up for a wrestle with a little creature.

The Cotswolds is just stunning, in a rural, rolling hilly and very green way.  The vistas are spectacular!  My sister is a lucky duck to get to enjoy such a beautiful corner of the world for a while.  We spent quite a bit of time at Cleeve Hill, a 1000' rise outside of Cheltenham. It is a common grazing ground, dotted all over with sheep and lambs while we were there and emerald green as far as the eye can see.

Here we are on top of the world with perfect kite winds.

Looking down over villages below...

Another shot in daylight.  We were up Cleeve Hill a few times!

We headed to Warwick Castle after a couple of days.  Warwick castle began as an earthen Saxon fort in the 900's, then William the Conqueror built on the site in 1068 and it grew from there.  Today it is owned by an entertainment company and has been restored and reenactments and expensive refreshments are served daily!  (Hey, maybe a little tacky compared to other castle choices, but compared to American-style tacky it was quite tasteful!  And great for kids.)

We really enjoyed many birds of prey and their speedy flying demos.  Amazing!

It's windy up on the castle towers...

 and the peacock garden was full of gorgeous birds, showing their plumage and calling...awesome.

 The jousting show was high energy with galloping horses, faux battles and death by the sword.  Very crowded though.

Working trebuchet launched a large stone a few football fields away while the men inside walked to turn the wheels.

inside the castle

And a fun maze with history lessons interspersed.

 We did some touring at pretty sights and villages around the Cotswolds.  Had a great little picnic and Owen experimented with nettles...he gave himself some stings to see what it was like!  Not so smart...but tough.

Here's a tiny model village of the village of Burton on the Water.  In the model village there is a model of the model village...and so on...

And oh, our little birder daughter was so delighted when we visited 'Birdland'.  It was indeed a bit of land with lots of birds.  Eden was in heaven (she has a thing about birds, no idea).  Our only rainy day during our time in England, which Deb and Lucas say is unheard of.

England was watching out for Reuel

And onto the Jurassic Coast!  We took an overnight to the West Bay area and stopped at Charmouth to hunt for fossils on the beach.  We cracked a lot of limestone but never did find one to take home.  

We did, however, find some fossils on the giant boulders!

Then off to West Bay with truly dramatic cliffs.  Eden and Asher braved the 55 degree water!  The kind that makes your feet ache to touch it.

Climbing down the side of the cliffs to the town

A little Lydia-sitting while Deb and Lucas took the kiddos to the arcade

And back in Cheltenham at the most fantastic park ever!  Better than London parks!

Back at Cleeve Hill...absolutely endless-seeming carpet of grass--see the tree in the far distance on the ridge

Getting closer (careful!  you must dodge the gifts of all those sheep as you walk)...

And arrived!  As windswept as the single tree that has grown permanently sideways

 Couldn't leave the Cotswolds and England without a cream tea at Marks and Spencer with the kids!

Karate

Owen is gearing up for his black belt test in August.  He began karate in 2014 and it has been a true fit for him--he faithfully practices and has bulgy little muscles from all his exercises!  The other two are never far behind.  I hope I stay on their good sides!!