Macy is now a green belt in karate! They test every 8 weeks for a new belt color or level and after only 8 weeks of being a yellow belt, she is now a green belt which is an intermediate level belt.
At the belt ceremony, Macy won THE award for most improved. Each belt cycle, the 4 instructors meet and discuss who they want to give this award to. They give it to the ONE person from each belt color that has shown discipline and progress and continued improvement (the instructor's words...not mine). Macy was the ONE that got this award out of about 30 kids! Ben put it best when he said, "I've never been so proud." : )
She was pretty proud of herself too! Now that she is a green belt, she has started sparring and has to wear all of this gear. Sparring is a whole other level. The first time that she sparred they paired her up with a level 2 green belt boy. It was funny but also a little hard to watch. She totally got her booty kicked. But since then she has figured it out a little bit better, and in my opinion, has been more evenly matched and is doing better with this. The hardest part is getting all of the gear on and off!
Ava and Macy also recently wrapped up another soccer season. They had a really great season. Their team finished with 4 wins and 6 losses but the whole team progressed SO much. Our coach is pretty hardcore but is awesome at teaching the girls skills and also understanding of the game. Macy played midfield this year and did really great. She was aggressive and way more attentive than she has been in the past. She had several games where she scored a goal or two. At the end of the season, the coach gives a special award to each girl. Macy got the "Most Coachable" award. (Ava won this award last year). In the coach's words.... "I can tell her to do something one time and she does it. She gets it and understands what I want her to do and carries it out." He said other nice things about her too but that was the one thing that stuck out in my mind. (Mostly because I don't see a lot of that at home! hahaha)
Ava also had a great season! She played defender for most of the season (they don't have goalies at their level). Ava rarely let other people score on her. Of course it happened some but she did a great job of being attentive to what was happening on the field and stopping the ball when it got close to her. She even scored a goal during the last game by stopping the ball then dribbling it up the field. She won the "Leadership Award." In the words of the coach.... "She is always helping out her teammates and directing them on the field. Sometimes she could even teach her teammates in a way that I couldn't." That makes her sound bossy but that isn't what he meant. : )
Finally, Ava recently received an award at school. She received The Solid Gold award. They give this award to a couple of kids each week that they select from the whole school. It is basically a reverse office referral. If the teacher has a student that is going above and beyond in the classroom, then they turn in a form to the office. The assistant principal calls the student down to her office to let them know that they have been chosen for the award. Then the AP calls the parent while the student is in the office! I can't tell you how my heart dropped when she said, "This is the assistant principal at Hosp Elementary." I didn't think either of the girls were in trouble but I was soooo worried that someone was seriously hurt. Ava got special recognition at their weekly assembly. I was so proud of her!
I think that is enough bragging for now! : ) Don't say I didn't warn you in the beginning.
