10-21-14 Karate Testing

 

Ara the Turtle

Gus's karate instructors were super exited to share with him that he was ready to test for his Ara belt. We were excited as well, but a little confused because the program was changing to a new curriculum.

Typically, he would have been testing for his orange belt, but because the program was totally being changed, all the white belts tested for the Ara belt. This is also a white belt, but it's a different belt from the one that they get on their third day of class. The Ara belt is white with a light green stripe through the middle. With the new program, they have new uniforms too, and now they get a patch that matches their belt.

I wasn't sure how the testing would go, but it was super easy. Because of the new curriculum, they decided to make it an Expo and they introduced the whole program, and then all the former "Tiny Tigers" were together for testing. Now there are no more "Tiny Tigers" they're all just Tigers.

Here are some pictures of Gus testing and then getting his Ara belt!!

We will be testing this month for the Baeoh belt! Once he gets this belt, he'll be using Ssahng Jeol Bongs (nunchuks)!!!

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival

I first have to say how sorry I am that it's been almost two months since I last blogged. To say that we've been busy is an understatement. The fall is when Steve does his traveling, and then I started selling Jamberry and I've been swamped with parties. Be sure to check out my site and let me know if you'd like to order something :-)  cathywalker.jamberrynails.net 

Okay, so a few weeks ago, my best friend Brittany asked if we wanted to go to the Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival with her family. We'd been to Stone Mountain almost two years ago and it was a horrible experience. So when she asked me if we wanted to go, I wasn't sure about it, but Steve and I decided to go and see what it was all about. Gus and Brittany's son Gage are close in age and are good friends, and then Brittany's youngest son, Greyson, is in Hugh's playgroup and they're two months apart and good friends.

We had such a great time!!! With her membership, she got free passes for us to get in and the only things we had to pay for was food and to Ride the Ducks. Gus absolutely loved the ducks and so did Steve and I. Hugh wasn't too sure about what was going on and he was happy just sitting with Steve.

After we finished the Ducks, we went inside the park and explored a bit. It was the Pumpkin Festival, so there were a lot of different pumpkin displays that were in a competition. We were so hungry, so we stopped and had lunch and then we stopped for a story and then made our way to the  Spookley maze (Gus and Hugh enjoyed this) and then we went to the "Ball Barn."

 

 Gus and Spookley the Square Pumpkin

 Inside the Ball Barn

 Using the guns to shoot balls at each other

After we had spent a lot of time in the barn, we decided to head up to the top of Stone Mountain. I had no idea how freaked out it would make me, and I had a mini-anxiety attack while inside the tram to the top. I closed my eyes but it was super scary. Coming down was definitely easier than going up, and once up there, I adjusted to my fear and it was quite stunning. The getting there was hard, but it was worth it.

 Atlanta in the distance

 

 

 Me and Britt

 "The King of the World!!"

We had so much fun that we decided to ask for a membership for Christmas. It's quite expensive, but something that we'd totally use, and it can be used year-round. In the winter, they've got something called "Snow Mountain" where the area is covered in snow and you can go tubing and sledding. In the summer they've got a lazer show that's supposed to be incredible. There are various festivals, including a Daisy Festival, Pumpkin Festival, and then a Christmas Festival (which Brittany invited us to for November)... can't wait to go back!!

There's a train that goes around the mountain, but we didn't have time to ride it this past visit. We're looking forward to going next month and seeing more!!!