Little sister

Shawn woke around 4:30 am and wanted to tell Raj about our date night last night. He eventually got back in bed. But, around 5:30 am, he came to Lilly's room looking for me. After a bathroom trip, water, adjusting his blankets, etc. he (and I) was still awake at 6:30 am. Rather than work to get him back to sleep when he'd need to wake in 30 minutes, I invited him to have a breakfast date with me while Daddy and Lilly slept. We watched he sun rise, had breakfast (which he normally eats at school), and read two books.  It was a great morning, even though he was still not thrilled about going to school.

Later...
Me: Lilly, it's time to get Shawn from school!
Lilly:

Still later:
Apparently, Shawn was talking about our dates all day to his teachers. They informed me that Shawn said we are having another date tonight, but we have other plans I think he'll enjoy just as much...

At home, we brought two kitchen chairs, drinks, and snacks outside with our bag of library books. We sat in the shade by our front step, reading book after book, enjoying the gorgeous day. (High 73°F, sunny)
A few hours later, it was time for karate class. It was his third class: promotion to white belt. Not surprisingly, he fell asleep during the five minute drive it takes to get there. He was really excited about getting his belt, so I didn't feel too badly about dragging him out of the car once we got there. He woke up quickly, though I could tell he was a bit dazed and wasn't focusing very well. (Not that anyone in the group of mostly 4 year olds really 'focuses' all that well!)
The teachers went over each student's progress card and determined who was ready for a new belt or stripe. Shawn was one of three. The class went through warm ups and  exercises. They practice chunbi (CHOON-bee) a lot. It means "Ready: Stand with outside edge of feet parallel, inside edge of feet spaced shoulder width apart; place fists one inch apart and one inch in front of belt knot." It's a call to attention, but they also practice 30 seconds of holding still regardless of distractions from the instructors (requests for high fives, checks for untied shoes though they're barefoot, etc.) Shawn is very proud of himself during these because he doesn't let the instructors trick him into moving, other than smiles. They also do a sit down - stand up game that really tests their listening skills. The instructors call out silly commands, made up words, and rhyming words, but the only ones that the kids are supposed to respond to are 'sit down' and 'chunbi.' It's encouraging to see how well Shawn listens and follows directions in this class!  Later, they run through an obstacle course a few times, occasionally having to stop in their tracks for chunbi.

 

 In the last few minutes, the parents of the three students being tested/promoted were invited into the room for a better view of the process. (I think my being there & recording it contributed to Shawn's lack of focus, but he did what he needed to do.) Only the students receiving their white belts and black belts get a certificate with their promotion. Shawn thought that was pretty special. The instructors do a nice job emphasizing the commitment and effort each promotion has demonstrated and that future ones require. Painted on the back wall of their room is the motto, 

"Black belts started as white belts…they just never quit!"

Instructors: Mr. Arnaldo Rosas & Mr. Tony Roller

  I picked up Raj at home, but then surprised Shawn with dinner at Pilot Pete's. I even got the waitress to bring Shawn a cup of root beer to turn his kids' meal ice cream dessert into a float. Happy Day!

Then, bath, quiet time, story, and BED! (Aside from the few moments of shut-eye in the car before karate, I'm shocked he's still functioning! He must've been running off of momentum alone.) What a (very long, yet exciting) day!