Brandon Continues to Fill His Trophy Case.....

Today was such an awesome day for Brandon! He participated in the Virginia State Tae Kwon Do Invitational Tournament sponsored by the Do Jang where he trains 3-4 hours per week. As you all know he is now a 1st Degree Black Belt and has been training for just over 4 years.

There were a six events available for Brandon to participate in... Board Breaking, Weapons Forms, Forms, Sparring, Chicken Fighting and Korean Wrestling. He chose to participate in all but the Korean Wrestling so it was a very busy day for him. I was asked to be a part of the Tournament Committee and then asked to take the Judge/Referee training and certification course at the Do Jang by his Senior Grand Master. Today, I was helping with the Registration table and Judging during the Breaking competitions for the children and young adult black belts.

Cian, Brandon and Zachary showing off their trophies, Brandon ran out of hands!

Brandon competing in Weapons Form - Small Knife

Brandon Competing in Forms - determination at it's best!

Brandon sparring against Cian

I must say, the Brandon truly never ceases to amaze me! Yes, I am his mom and there of course will always be some bias there, BUT!!! Brandon has practiced and prepared very hard for this tournament. In addition to his homework, Religious Ed class, baseball and normal 4 hours per week of training in class, he added and extra 9 hours in over the last two weeks. Our basement became the training ground with tapped markings on the floor and boards and kicking targets moving all over the place.

Well.... his hard work once again paid off today! Breaking was his first event and he came in 2nd Place. He broke five boards in 4 breaks. Two of the boards were stacked together for one break. His second event was Weapons Forms. HE TOTALLY ROCKED IT! Brandon came in 1st place out of the largest group of 8 which included 3 other students who out ranked him. He was so focused during this event. His face was the ANGRY, DETERMINED face. I of course, was in tears because I was so proud. This was the first time he could compete in this category what a great first attempt! His third event was Chicken Fighting, he placed 4th. His fourth event was Forms. Again, Brandon brought his A game and came in 2nd place!!! Finally was Sparring which he placed 4th in. Brandon was so tired at this point, but he did his absolute best which is all I would ever ask of him. Brandon walked away with 4 trophies and a medal today. Our case is filling up!

Awards Presentation.... Brandon was so SIKED to take the TOP SPOT!

Eddie and Ryan tried to come over to watch Brandon compete but it was very crazy and we had a little issue during breaking so they left and waited for our call to come back for the awards part. Eddie was so upset to miss Brandon doing the Weapons Form after he heard all the comments from other parents about how great Brandon did. But, Daddy got to be there for the best part, to see Brandon being presented with his trophies and he could not have been more proud. Ryan was cheering and clapping really loud for Brandon too. He ran up and gave him a huge hug. Brandon and I finally finished up and walked into the house at close to 2:30pm this afternoon. I am so exhausted I can barely see straight and every ounce of my body aches. These are not complaints by any stretch of the imagination! I would not trade this day for anything in the world! To see my son so confident and poised and ready to take on these challenges is so amazing.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail.....

Hopping down the bunny trail. Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on it's way!

We had a very busy Easter weekend. The kids actually had to attend school on Friday to make up for a snow day so our plans to dye eggs were moved to Saturday. Brandon and Ryan had lots of fun dipping the eggs into the different colors and got more of the dye on themselves I think. We choose Mickey this year for our egg theme.

On Easter Sunday, we went to Mass at 7:30am. Afterward, we came home and the boys went about the house searching for their baskets and eggs that the Easter Bunny had left for them. Then all of us got in the car and headed up North to Maryland to visit my family. Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Corey, Grammy and James hosted Easter dinner and the food was fabulous as always! We were all so excited to to spend the day with them. The boys adore their cousin James and could not wait to see him. Grammy and Aunt Lindsay organized another Easter Egg hunt for the boys which was so much fun! I of course got in some cuddle time with my cute nephew and so did Uncle Eddie. Aunt Lindsay made Easter Egg shaped cakes for the boys to decorate which was so much fun for them. There were sprinkles and icing all over them and the cakes!

Mom, Check Out What the Easter Bunny Brought Us!

Hunting for Eggs at Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Corey's

Aunt Lindsay Made Us Easter Egg Cakes to Decorate... .YUMMMMMYYYY!

Hey Uncle Eddie, let's play with some toys already!


How Cute is James?? Remember, Aunt Jamie ROCKS!

Anyone Up for A Race???

Riverbend High School Track Team, here in Fredericksburg hosts an event every year for Elementary School children to participate in 2 track events. Brandon chose to run the 100 meter and the 400 meter. It was extremely cold outside today and very windy, but Brandon was so thrilled to be out there. Every participant was awarded a ribbon for finishing their race. Brandon came in 7th in the 100 Meter and earned a Participation Ribbon and he came in 4th in the 400 Meter earning a 4th Place Ribbon. It was so exciting to watch him run around that track, even though I was freezing my butt off!

Brandon picked up his sprint at the very end of the 400 Meter to pass this runner and take 4th Place. Way to go bud, we are so proud of you!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game.....

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks....

Today was opening day for the Spotsylvania County Little League. Brandon and his teammates of the Indians arrived at Patriot Park for opening day ceremonies at 9am this morning. All the teams were introduced and the National Anthem with Color Guard opened the 2009 season.

The annual Hit-A-Thon also took place. This is the Leagues biggest fund raiser of the year. Brandon hit the ball 104ft and threw the ball 97ft. Through wonderful family and friends, Brandon has raised $300 this year surpassing last years contribution by $52. Thank you to all of you for supporting Brandon!!! Eddie was there to cheer him on and take these pictures. I am not allowed to attend, because I freak him out and make him nervous. So Eddie is in charge of capturing all the moments of the season for me. This is Brandon's last season in the Coach Pitch Division. Next year, he will attend the Players Showcase and be "drafted" onto a team in the Minors. Very exciting stuff. We have our first game this week.. will update with more news and photos soon!