First Day '1st Grader'

Seems like just yesterday I was waking up my little man for his first day of Kindergarten and now here I am one year later rubbing his back in an attempt at waking him for his first day as a 1st grader. As I carry him down the hall he rubs the sleepy bugs from his eyes (someone got a little use to sleeping in over the summer). A full bowl of cereal awaits him at the bar and the satellite is already tuned onto channel 42 (go Diego go). After ensuring he has a full tummy he dawns his spiffy new clothes and out the door we go (why is it I'm carrying both his and my pac paks?). A swift 5 min drive down the street we approach Bartram Springs Elementary... and pass right on by. Yes the pass by was planned for a few reasons 1) Dadoo was not about to get yelled at two years in a row for not following proper drop off procedures 2) I really did not want to deal with the first day car clutter. Now with a brisk walk back to the school entrance we are greeted by Principle Strickland. Passing through the threshold we stroll down a few Blue tiled corridors which make way to the center of the school maze (very good security design.. now just hope the kids don't get as lost as I feel). Red tiles to the right, Yellow straight ahead and more Blue to the left. Um, Xaine's class room is down the GREEN hall. So through trial of elimination we continue left following the blue tiles until they transition into GREEN. Room 111, Room 114, Room 117. This will be Xaine's home away from home for the next 9 months. Only the third kid to arrive in class he smiles and says good morning to Ms. Tinc (pronounced Tints), places his pac pak on a hook and takes a seat, back corner next to a girl. That's my boy!! A kiss from him Dadoo, an I Love You and I leave my boy to begin his 1st grade education. (you better believe I'm already counting down to the 3pm release bell so I can hear how his day was)

What a STUD

Roughly 3 months ago Xaine, with his cute little voice, approached me and asked "Can I get my ears pierced?". Well who am I do deny such a request (having 6 piercings of my own), however being a responsible Dadoo I wanted to ensure this was not a momentary desire. Religiously over time he raised that same question and each time I've responded "Well son, we will see". His persistence in the end has demonstrated to me that he TRULY wanted this done. So here we are sitting calmly at Claire's.. Xaine's ears have been cleaned, evenly marked with vibrant purple dots and with two swift Clicks, his pinkish tinted ears dawned 3mm Stainless Steel. What a 'STUD'

Basic Form One (First Part)

Apparently I blinked again, as yet another three months has passed by. Once more we are eagerly anticipating Xaine's next level belt test at Pak's Karate Academy. This evening (August 3rd) Xaine will be utilizing his 3 One Step move techniques through individual demonstration as well as Sparing. Having completed these portions of the test we were treated to a first. Xaine had already received his yellow tip for mastering all of Basic Form One (2 belt levels ahead of schedule) and tonight he would be demonstrating at least the first part of the form in front of Master Nathan and Mater Johnson...

With all requirements for his next level up complete it is time for yet another board break. One, Two, Three kicks and SNAP (I'm going to have enough boards to build a house by the time he gets his Black Belt). Excellent job my Baboo and with both Master Nathan and Mater Johnson in agreement Xaine is presented his 'White with one Yellow Stripe' belt.

2nd Place...Feels Like 1st!

With a 6:30am wake up call for my little man and his vibrant white dobok, orange dee, chest guard, head gear and mouth guard in hand we piled into the Escape for a relaxing hour long drive north to Kingland, GA for the 2009 U.T.F National Championship tournament. The events begin at 8:30 am with the Black Belt advancement exams followed by Form Demonstrations and shortly after the call for all Tiny Tigers (belt rankings under Yellow which includes Xaine) to report to the holding area in preparation for the Sparing competition. With a few secure pulls of his Chest Guard straps I wished my boy good luck and sent him off for his grouping. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Xaine and 3 other boys emerged from the holding area. Sparing was comprised of 4 matches. Each round consisted of two, 1 1/2 minute rounds. Points were determined by successful contact to the chest.
Match 1 (Round 1) - Xaine (in Red) took his place against his opponent (one belt senior to Xaines level). A respectful bow to one another and 'See-Jack' exclaimed by the referee the kicking began. Xaine, being his first competition, started off a bit slow on the offense (round scored to Blue)
Match 1 (Round 2) - Warmed up and knowing what to expect, this time Xaine took care to use his defenses but ensured he countered with some good offensive kicks. (round scored to Red)


Match 1 (Sudden Death) - A match scored to each a sudden death was called to proclaim the winner of the round. First point wins... 'See-Jack' and as fast as lightening Xaine Front Foot Side Kicks his opponent in the chest. Winner of the Match... RED!!!!!

This secured Xaine a place in the championship. Based on the outcome, he observed Matches 2 and 3.
Match 4 (Championship Round 1) - Xaine once again took his place against his opponent (this one 2 belt levels senior to Xaine). Bow and Begin and OMG.. Xaines opponent began an onslaught of rapid fire Kick, Kick, Kicking. Xaine trapped in solid defense mode utilized his down blocks to the best of his ability to ward off as many as possible. (match scored to Blue)
Match 4 (Championship round 2) - Man that little senior belt was ruthless. Once more Xaine found himself doing his best to defend against a flood of rapid fire kicks. But what's this, his opponent was winding and slowing down. Xaine got more kicks in, however..... time was up... round over... (This match and round, again scored to Blue)

All matches over, my Baboo had kicked and blocked his way into 2nd Place. Just look at the confidence in his eye's and personal sense of pride he has while standing with his larger then life trophy...

Evans Own Parade

Being our first 4th of July on the East coast we found ourselves without a parade to attend? Well, not to miss out on the events we attended in the past with our westward friends/family and in typical Dadoo and Baboo style we made of the day as we wished. First task was to recreate parade proceedings.

* Curbside seating (check)
* Pinwheel to keep us cool (check)
* Patriotic Face Painting (check)
* Floats (fellow residents as they drive by, waved and/or STARED) (check)
* Animals (ants, lizards and... oh look an armadillo) (check)

Now on to the BBQing of some great stuffed burgers, chips & dip and one mustn't forget the mouth watering watermelon wedges (nummy). Ever so observant of the no swimming within 30 min of gorging on goodies and the pool having been overrun by the college crowd we opted to just bask in the humidity drenching air as darkness filled the sky. Time to set something on fire!!! (but wait..Williams Walk doesn't permit Fireworks on the premises). Sooooo... a short drive later we arrived at an undisclosed basketball court, lighter in hand and sparklers a blaze...

***All concerned parties... please rest assured that while JAX tends to be featured on COPS quite often, you will not be seeing our mugs on any upcoming airings :) ***