May

There was a bad case of gastro going around and it struck Sid Thursday.  We spent two days at home laying low and no training despite the competition on Saturday.  Sid bounced back within 12 hours but unfortunately mom wasn't as lucky.  I got it 2:00 a.m the day of the tourney.  It was my first tourney and a local one Sid had been looking forward to so we went anyways. 

Sid did her thing and took first in weapons kata

Then she took 1st in Kata

And finally first in fighting.  Clean sweep of 1st places and then it was time to coach mom.

 

First up was Kata

Mom took 1st!

Then fighting against my team mates.  This was fun and most importantly by doing our forms and fighting we qualified for the Grand Championship competition being held next weekend.  One last chance to compete until next fall!

A win against Gilly and here is the video:

A loss against Beth.  Good quick three points by Beth and she takes it!

But what counts is we are all still friends in the end :)

Some of the Rockland Tourney competitors.  It was a great experience.  I wish I had felt better, I was really not well but I could still enjoy the twinkle in my kids eyes while she watched me fight the other moms and her big grin when I collected my first trophy for Kata.  Loved her comment "Mom your horse stances were NOT low enough"  My how the tables have turned and she is such a good teacher! 

The weather is sooooo perfect for dying wool.  Had to make a globe ball this week and was out of blue.  Dyed the fibre in about 5 minutes and it was dried nicely by the time we got home from karate. Our clothesline is going to be very colourful this summer!

Lastly to get caught up, Sid started your Young Herbalist Apprentice program.  It is amazing.  Her and 5 other kids are privileged enough to spend 3 hours at a time with local Herbalist Amber Westfall from the Wild Garden,

learning about foraging, herbalism and anything plant related.  The parents are sent on there ways and the kids spend the time outside with Amber learning about the natural world.  BEST science class EVER!!!!

Sid's only negative feedback was that it was going to be too long until the next class next week!!!!  It will be a fun summer of foraging and plant identification while working in an organic garden, learning to process tinctures, salves and teas.  We are so happy she is getting this opportunity.

More news coming soon....