shotokan karate

I am learning Shotokan, which is a style of karate. I am learning about discipline, body development and self-defense.

Here I am with Sensei Laura, my teacher. I am her sempai, which means senior student. I'm a senior student because I have been taking karate with Sensei Laura since I was three years old.

When we do our stretches, we count in Japanese. I can count to 10 in Japanese: ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, nachi, kyuu and juu.

We practice kicks....

and punches....

and some self-defense moves so we can protect ourselves and our brains inside our heads.

At the beginning and end of each class, we greet each other with a bow and we say osu. It's a salutation between people who study martial arts. I'm also learning about showing respect.

me and my cars

As you know, I have lots of toys. But the toys I am most hooked on are cars. They have been a mainstay since I was a little bitty baby. My wagon phase came and went. My bicycle barely gets any play. I do like my Game Cube, but nothing has or ever will replace my love of cars. I have them in all sizes and forms... from my millions of Hotwheels, to my remote control cars, to my Hummer (which I really drive), to Daddy's G35. Even though I have a million cars, I still love getting more... they are a sure bet sure to love present. Mommy lets me pretend to drive her car. When she goes to drive it in the morning, all the flashes are flashing, the wipers are wiping, the radio is on full blast, and she can't see out the window from all the greasy handprints. But, you know what... I have a secret.... don't tell my mom.... Daddy lets me really drive his car-- for real! I get to steer the wheel and he presses the pedal... shhhh! Daddy would get a very long time out if she ever finds out this secret!

AND outdoor soccer!

This is my soccer training class. This is where I work on improving all my soccer skills. (I work on being a team player in the indoor soccer league.) I've been training with Coach Ruben for a year. He's the one who taught me how to dribble, trap, pass and kick.

This class is for four, five and six year olds.

This is dribbling... moving the ball forward with little kicks while controlling the ball.

We work on conditioning and endurance with races. Here I am, in the lead...

... and the first one to reach the finish line! High five!!!

indoor soccer???

On Friday nights, I play on an indoor soccer league.

Here's Coach A and my team.

It's my turn to kick a goal.

Here's my goal scoring fancy footwork victory dance.

This is the correct way to stop and "hold" a ball, because you can't use your hands in soccer. It's called a "trap."

"Hey Jordan, what do you think of our team?"

read 'em and weep (with joy)

I got my first semester Preschool Evaluation yesterday. I got G's in everything except for printing my name and skipping, which I still need to work on. Pretty awesome, huh? Everyone is real proud of me! Mrs. Louise and Mrs. Bartlett say I'm definitely ready for Kindergarten! So, when you hear everyone bragging about how smart I am, well... they're not just bragging... they're speaking the truth!


Mommy and Daddy knew that I still need to work on writing my name, but Daddy was a little surprised that I am failing skipping. Looks like basketball will be on the back burner for awhile... I think he is going to be drilling me hard on skipping! But Mommy asked Daddy to skip... Now I know why I am having trouble skipping... let's just say the apple does not fall far from the tree! I think Mommy will be in charge of skipping now!

real men do laundry

I decided to help out a little bit around the house with those pesky chores... free up a little extra time for Mommy, earn my keep a little... So, I helped Mommy do the laundry.

I put the dirty clothes in the washing machine, added the laundry detergent, and started the machine.

After the clothes were done in the washing machine, I put them in the dryer.

While they were drying, I got myself something cool to drink...

and a little snack to eat... and waited...

And when the clothes were ready, I took them out of the dryer and put them in the basket so Mommy could fold them and put them away.

hint hint hint

Hey... guess who is having a birthday in five months? This sure would be a nice birthday present... just putting it out there....

dentist visit

Open wide... look inside...


A bright, clean smile and sparkling teeth with NO cavities!!!

lazy Sundays

Sometimes, Sundays are lazy, quiet, stay at home in your pajamas all day playing video games because it's too windy to go outside kinda days...

the real world

The holidays are over, 2006 is gone, the magical Christmas decorations have all been put away until next Christmas, and our house is back to being a regular house. I guess it's time to get back to the real world. Well, almost time... I still have a few more days left of Christmas vacation, so I'm going to make the most of it...

which definitely includes playing with the big boys, who are also all still on vacation! It's a regular ole block party with all the kids outside playing, all day, until night time, with no homework to do like usual. I guess we'll really get back to the real world on January 8th!

PS- By the way, yes... Mommy was initially adamantly opposed to all forms of gun play, even water guns. I broke her down when I was 18 months old...