Moving right along

We have moved. We moved into a new house on Labor Day weekend. The one day it decides to rain is the same day we decide to move. We had a lot of help which made it go fast, extra fast because of the rain. :)  This house is bigger then the previous one. It is about 2400 square feet, it has an Arizona room where the kids have their toys and can play. Everyone has adjusted well, even the pets.

Maddie has lost both of her front teeth and has some more loose ones. She is doing good in school and is enjoying her swim class. She also started going back to taekwondo class on Mondays. Which is good for her for the self-confidence.

Ian is as cute as ever. He is still singing his Mamma Mia songs and dancing too. We even have to play the Mamma Mia songs on the ipod in the car so he can sing with them. He got his flu shot the other day and didn't even cry, I was so proud of him.

I started school on the 27th of August. I am going to the University of Phoenix and I love it. I am in constant contact with my enrollment and academic counselor's. I take one class at a time, one day a week. My first class was a goal setting class and I got an A in that one. Now I am taking Intro to Popular American Culture. My teacher is really smart but hasn't started off on the right foot with our class so far. Changed our first assignment at the last minute and then was 40 mins late to the first class. But I think it is going to be a good class.

Kathy is at camp in Tucson right now so it is just me and the kids. I think tomorrow we are going to go to a carnival with the grand parents. I hope everyone is having a great start to the fall season!

If you would like to have our new address just email me (jdy1226@gmail.com) or Kathy (kjkicks@gmail.com).

With love from AZ,

Jessica

Dancing Queen

One of Ian's favorite movies is 'Mama Mia'. While I kind of new some ABBA songs, I am now an expert (at least on the ones from the soundtrack).

Ian now just burst into song. His current favorite is 'Dancing Queen'. Here is his version of the chorus. You'll notice some pretend microphone work at the end.




Here is another version with Maddie also running and singing as well

Ian reads and Maddie gets into a new school program

The video is a little dark because it was nap time. This is Ian "reading" one of his favorite books.





While Ian is clearly on his way to brilliance, his sister apparently is already there. Maddie was tested two weeks ago for a new self contained highly gifted program in her district. She scored extremely well and will be in this new class next year. This will be a great class to push her at school. They already had to move her up for reading this last year but now she will be working on everything at a very high level. The best part is we won't have to pay for private school since this is in the public school!

Just wanted to give you all a kid update!

ATA World Championships 2009

Jess and I spent a week in Little Rock, Arkansas last week for the American Taekwondo Associations annual World Championship event. This year was special because it was the 40th anniversary of the ATA. Jess helped work the event that had over 2,000 participants.

I had many activities that I participated in. Things started on Wednesday with a Physical Fitness Test that I had to pass in order to do my mid-term. The test consists of push-ups, sit ups, and bag work (kicking only, punching and kicking, punching only). Each round is one minute and there is a one minute rest. I passed and then since I am a Master had to help administer the test to the other 150 people.

Thursday started off with me doing a midterm test. I demonstrated my form, sparring, and board break. I have included the video Jess took of my board breaks. It took two tries but I am allowed three so it's ok. I'll get the results in about a month.



Following the testing the tournament of champions took place. I judged on Thursday but had a student get World Champion and another get a silver medal.

Laura getting 2nd

Friday it was my turn to go for World Champion in two events. I got World Champ in sparring and silver in Xtreme Form. Below are pictures of me receiving my gold medal.




Friday evening we went to the big opening ceremonies at Alltel Arena. I was part of a demo that had 99 Masters doing a form in unison. Jess said we looked very cool.

Saturday I had my regular competition. I competed in 5 different events. I received 1st place in Xtreme Forms and Creative Forms. 2nd Place in Traditional Forms, Traditional Weapons, and Sparring.

Sunday, was left for judging and saying goodbye. I know it seems like a lot...it is :) We were exhausted by the end. Jess has quite a bit to do dealing with trouble shooting and keeping things running smoothly. Saturday and Sunday were especially long for her. Judging is much easier on me.

All in all it was a great event. Always nice to make the trip and visit with people I have known for 20 years.

Maddie Sings

Last night at Maddie's school the entire 1st grade came together for the end of the Star Reader Program. Maddie was one of the top readers in her class and earned all the prizes

The entire 1st grade also performed 3 songs. Here is one of them - the school song. This is taken with my phone.

Maddie's Recital

Maddie had her first recital on Saturday. She performed Old MacDonald on the piano. We were all very impressed with her pressence. She was the youngest in her group and her teacher couldn't believe how well she did.

Here's the star of the show

Gay Pride Weekend

This weekend was Phoenix Gay Pride. Kathy and I went on both Saturday and Sunday to help with the HRC booth. Saturday started off with the parade. This was this first year HRC had a float in the parade.

This is the float when we were working on it the night before. It had more balloons on Saturday morning but it looked great. We also had poster board that stated facts about HRC and what they have done for the LGBT community. Such as HRC is lobbying congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, HRC supports a fully inclusive ENDA (Employee Non-discrimination Act). HRC has 750,000 thousand members and 8,000 in Arizona. People watching the parade were very supportive and clapped and cheered for us as we went by. We have some ideas for next year to jazz up our float. Many of the other ones had music, were throwing out candy and giving out mardi gras beads. We were able to had out the bumper sticks but then we ran out in like 45 mins.

After the parade we worked at the booth and talked to people about HRC. Sometimes it is surprising how much the gay community doesn't know about their own community and groups that fight for their rights. The weekend was a success in educating and also in signing people up for membership. When we left late Sunday afternoon we were up to about 85 memberships. Which means that is just 85 more people that are going to continue to get information about what is happening on a federal level with LGBT rights.


On Sunday we got to see some live music which was great. One of the performers that we really liked was Jennifer Vazquez, she had a great sound to her and had great songs, she is based out of California. The food is also very good at Pride. It is the only time of year that I get to eat my Indian Fry bread burritos! Yummy!

Phoenix is one of the first prides of the year and there were a lot of out-of-state people that were their and some even said that we have a really good pride festival compared to where they are from. Even though we had a great time at pride we were definately missing the kids as they did not attend the festival. Now it is time to relax and enjoy the family time.