Meli's Ballet Recital

After a year of really hard work, blisters on her feet, and a four-dress-size loss, Meli finally had her first ballet recital in seven years today. She was really nervous at first, but I believe that she did amazingly well. We also got to see a one of our student instructors do a hip-hop/breaking routine, and a former little student get to hop like a bunny around the stage.

Nathan had a great time through the whole thing and sat really well through the whole thing. He really loved to see the tap dances and kept saying "Pat, Pat, Pat" while those girls were dancing.

Meli is already plotting a pointe solo for next year. I'll put video of this recital up as soon as I can encode it to a file. Until then, here are some pictures.

Final Top Ten Standings

So, the final ATA Top Ten Standings were released last week, and I came in at 8th place. Although, there was a big three-way tie at the bottom, so if all of those guys come to the tournament as well, then I won't be in the first three to go. I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks if I want to try to move up during the actual competition. I will be competing on Thursday, June 25th.

Texas Bluebonnets

A Message From Nathan

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Top Ten!

After this weekend, I am going to make my second top ten in the last three years. I went to the Little Rock tournament with some of my students. I picked up a second place in weapons to give me a enough points to move up a few places on the list. Now it's a wait and see game to find out where on the list I end up. I'm really hoping to end at least #7 on the list so that I can get out of the first three. I'll keep updating when the point standings are listed on ATA's web site.

Nathan meet Ouch

After 18 months of curiosity, Nathan finally introduced himself to Hugo the hedgehog. At first, his name was "Hedgie." Then Nate tried to touch the very unhappy hedgie. Now and forevermore, the Hedgie's name is now "Ouch."

Texas Impact 6

For the first time since we were newly married, Melissa and I competed in the same ATA taekwondo tournament. She had been taking time off after having Nathan and earning her new rank. We had a great time in Dallas, although having to wait 35 minutes to get our car out in the morning sure wasn't the best. Maybe we're just too small town minded...

Anyway. I got first in weapons and third in the other two events. This means that with the points I've gotten already this year, that I should be solidly in the Top Ten and will compete in the World Championships in June. This will be my second time going, so hopefully, I'll do better than last time.

But before I competed, Melissa got to join her new 30-39 4th and 5th degree black belt ring. She was so nervous after having been out so long, but she did a great job. She ended up getting second in weapons and second in sparring. She even only missed placing in forms by one point. Not bad for not competing in two years!

So now, I will be taking some students to Little Rock next weekend for the final tournament of the season. Then it's down to watching the ATA website and seeing where the final point totals end up.