Emily decided that she wanted to start taking Karate lessons. We weren't sure about it at first since her interest in lessons has ranged everywhere from dance, to horseback riding, to snowboarding. We found a good local class and went ahead and signed her up.
She just started at the beginning of August but she is really enjoying it. I got to sit in on one of her lessons and see how it went and she did really well. I like that they emphasize respect a lot in her classes. They talk a lot about how to do karate right you must respect yourself, respect you class, respect your teacher and respect your parents. I also like that they teach them how to handle "stranger danger" with what they learn should they ever need to.
Emily on her first day of class.
Striking a pose.
I wish these pictures where better but they came from my Palm.
When I picked her up from one of her first classes she was telling me all about her friends in class and the things they are working on and she says "I have a couple of teachers in my class. I have Sensei Frank and Sensei Dinner." I asked her Dinner? She said "Yeah I don't know why he has such a weird name" I tried to gently correct her that his name was Sensei Daren. She looked out the window for a few minutes then said "So that explains it. I thought it was Sensei Dinner so I just kept yelling that every time we had to say his name. I will have to remember next time." I love how kids say the funniest things.
When we got there he was met by his teacher Mrs Jones. She is originally from England and taught preschool, kindergarten and first grade there. She has lots of fun new ideas that I had not seen before. I was very happy that he warmed up to her so quickly, not something he usually does. 
Now there are four of the five of them at school at least four days a week. The house gets really quiet for at least a few hours of the day.
I can't believe that our Pim is 7! She was very excited for her birthday this year and started reminding me about it a month and a half in advance. (As if we would forget)
It doesn't seem that long ago that she was little and watching never ending episodes of Dora the Explorer. Now we have turned a whole new page and are into High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place. Crazy how time flies like that!
Emily on her first day of class.
Striking a pose. 
Emily on her first day of 1st grade. She had to have this cool lunchbox that looked like a purse.
Ethan looks like he is headed to military school with that pose. He was excited to start 4th grade. You can't see it but he was especially proud of his new black and yellow striped backpack. 
