Karate Tournament (Part 1)

I had my first Karate Tournament on Saturday, May 16th. I competed in two events, patterns and point sparring. The morning started with Master Rine explaining the rules. He chose me from the crowd to help demonstrate.

Here I am watching the demo teams perform, waiting for my turn to compete.

My group consisted of 5 and 6 year olds with gold and orange belts from 4 different karate schools. Most of the kids did beginning pattern and pattern 1, but I chose to do pattern 2 which is more difficult. A karate pattern is a series of memorized kicks, punches and moves.

Here is a video followed by some still pictures...

I didn't make any mistakes on my pattern!

Dad and Cadence were watching from the bleachers while Mom stood beside the ring taking pictures.

It was finally time to announce the winners, and I came in first place!

My first modeling gig! (sorta)

Look who is appearing in this photographer's ad! Miss Jackie Reitz took pictures of Cadence and me down in Deep Ellum last month.

Sweet Sisters

Me and Cadence playing on the top bunk.

Posing for the camera.

Aren't we adorable! :)

No Fear

I am starting to keep my body straighter on my hurdle jumps, and I can now do a front entry dive on the low board AND the high board.

Here are a couple of the dives on video that I have been learning in class.

Rear Entry Dive



Front Entry on the High Dive



Front Entry on Low Dive (watch Cadence!)

Weeeeee!!!

Jumping off the board backwards

Practicing for the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

I know the video is sideways. I did not know that there is no way to flip a video like with a picture, so you're just gonna have to tilt your head. It's better than nothing right? Mom will do a new video at my next diving class with the camera turned upright.

Dakota Navratilova

Here I am on Day 3 of Tennis Camp. I practiced serves next to Aiden with Coach Pyson. Mom bought me my very own tennis racket on Monday and 3 balls so I can practice at home.

Coach Benny had us line up at cones along the net to learn how to volley. He kept throwing balls at our rackets and we had to volley it over the net.

Me and my biggest fan, Cadence :)

Here is my last day at camp. We worked on our forehands with Coach Jennifer. That's EmmaKate, Aiden, and Raymond watching me hit my ball over the net!

Giving Coach Pyson a hi five!

My certificate showing that I completed the camp!

I can't wait to do another tennis camp later this summer!

(Click on the collage below to see it larger)

Daredevil Diver

Diving class began tonight up at the rec center. We started out practicing off the edge of the pool. I couldn't bring myself to go in the water hands first, but neither could several of the other kids. We moved to the diving boards and worked on jumping in feet first with our arms up.

The coach got on the board to help me go in hands first.

I did it!

Then, we got to jump off the high dive. Mom was so amazed that I didn't even hesitate up there.

Wimbledon, here I come!

Tennis camp started today. We were divided into groups by age, so there are 4 kids in my group. Coach Benny taught me about forehand hitting, and Coach Jennifer taught us the backhand. I didn't do very well at first, but everytime it was my turn I got better and better. After class, I told mom how much fun tennis is and that I can't wait to play again tomorrow!

We used these tubes to pick up the balls on the court.

Then, we dumped the balls back into the ball cart.



Coach Jennifer clapping for me after I hit the ball over the net!