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This past summer we had an excellent camping trip in Banff with some of Naomi’s family. Our trip started with us stopping at Calloway Park on our way to Banff (a season’s pass for the same cost as a day pass? How does that work?), then on to meet up with Papa & Grandma, Uncle Mal and Aunt Doris, and their three kids, Brad, Stephanie, and Julie (who had not seen their parents in quite a while). It was pretty laid back, but we spent time around Banff, went to Moraine Lake near Lake Louise, and visited Takakkaw Falls where we had a rare sighting of a mountain goat. We also were able to celebrate Uncle Mal’s birthday with his family! The kids loved it and also really enjoyed spending time getting to know some family.

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Back in September, Ethor and I started attending karate classes. I really wanted to get him some more structured exercise where he can learn coordination, balance, flexiblity, concentration, self-discipline/self-control, and respect for authority as well as getting to know more people all while learning some practical self-defense. I have been enjoying getting to know the other adults going too. I took karate for a number of years in my teens and early twenties, but I haven’t done it for nearly 20 years. I dusted off my old karate gi, but for some reason the belts have all shrunk as they don’t seem as long as they used to be. I had to buy a new green belt as I can barely tie the old one on because it was so short…

Our local club, Iwa Yama Karate, practices Shintani Wado Kai Karate, which is a bit different from the shotokan karate that I studied years ago, but it is still quite similar. Our club hosted a tournament this past weekend, which was a first for both of us.

I was quite satisfied with how I did in the tournament, especially since I just started back into karate a couple months ago. I was up against three women of my own rank for the kata competition, and for kumite (sparring) I was up against two men who were one level higher and another guy who was two levels higher than me. I managed to score 3rd place in kata against three other green belts. As I am just starting back in it, I was only able to do the first kata, while they were doing more complicated ones, but somehow managed to score well.

In the kumite I lost my first ever match, won my second against the brown belt, then lost the third. When the points were added, I placed third, so I was quite pleased to get anywhere against guys who have been at this for years.

Just before the Jr. divisions started, there was a special kumite match between Santa and the Grinch!

The Grinch won, but so did the kids when the candy got passed out. The Grinch ended up being attacked by excited kids.

Ethan did well in his group and he also came in 3rd for kata! He got a little lost in it and did the first part twice, but did well with the rest.

In the kumite rounds he won his first match, and was winning his second when he got disqualified when his glove touched the other boy’s cheek. No contact with the head or back allowed! He didn’t really understand the rules that well, but it was a good learning experience for him.

First match

Second match and disqualification

Our teacher told us that going to a tournament was like having an extra month of classes. I know I learned a lot and Ethan had a great time. We are looking forward to the next tournament and perhaps his sisters will compete too!

So this guy is now seven years old. Happy birthday Ethan!

Last year we started doing family adventures on birthdays to create some great memories instead of throwing birthday parties. The kids don’t know what we are going to do or where we are going to go, so it is all a surprise as it unfolds. We do give cryptic hints though. For Ethan’s seventh birthday, we told them we would see something ancient, go somewhere amusing, see something fuzzy, and go somewhere nutty.

The something ancient was driving to Drumheller to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Drumheller is considered the dinosaur capital of Canada, with many bones being discovered in the canyons along the Red Deer River.

Next, we drove to Calgary for the something amusing – a very large board and card games store. Ethan has really started to get into board games, so we picked out two for him (with some suggestions from friends), Battle Sheep and Catan Junior.

For something fuzzy, we took them to see the Shaun the Sheep movie!

Finally, it was time for the somewhere nutty, we took Ethan to his new favorite restaurant, Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

I may have created a monster here… During the summer I took Ethan to Calgary with me for a quick trip, and introduced him to FGBF. He reeeaaallly wanted McD’s, but I asked him if he trusted me. “Yes, but I want McDonalds with a play place!” Anyway, with much protestation, I took him to FGBF. His eyes bugged out looking at the burgers, and then he discovered the free peanuts. Needless to say, he was hooked. That one trip for the two of us also cost as much as it does to feed the whole family at Wendy’s. Be careful what you order – their small burger is pretty big. Now whenever Naomi takes the kids to Red Deer or Calgary, he asks for FGBF.

Back to his birthday. Once he realized that we were going out to eat next, he figured out the clue for Five Guys Burgers and Fries pretty quick because he remembered the peanuts. $50 later, we had a full and very happy boy. Wow…

Happy birthday Ethan! We sure do love you.