BenSpark Family Adventures

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01619 In our dojo we earn stripes with monthly progress checks. When you are starting out in Krav Maga and also kids karate your early belts require 3 stripes to advance. So, if you are doing well you will have a belt with 3 stripes on it and then would advance to a new belt. This happened from White to Green belts. When you get to Brown belt you need 6 stripes to advance to the next belt. A longer time to learn new techniques and to earn that new belt. When I attempted to go for my Black Belt in November of 2021 I had my six stripes on my red/black belt. I was not ready at that time and did not advance past the pre-test. I kept at it for another year and a half before going to test again. I had 2 opportunities after my initial test and before tomorrow’s final test to make another attempt at my black belt. The first time I was eligible was the next class in the Spring. I honestly had my confidence really shaken and it took me a long time to get it back. I decided...

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01618 Our plumber came today and hooked up the toilet in the downstairs bathroom. He also set up more plumbing in the basement and changed out the Shower head. We now have a Kohler Konnect. This is a shower head with a detachable Bluetooth speaker. For years I have been putting my phone on the edge of the shower to listen to music. Now I can leave it on the counter and connect to the Moxie speaker and play whatever I’d like and be able to hear it quite well. I personally have a 3 song maximum shower but usually get things done in one especially if it is Carry On My Wayward Son. That is the perfect length for a shower.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01617 Tonight I took Andy to see the movie, Transformers: Rise of The Beasts at the IMAX at Providence Place Mall. This was Andy’s first IMAX experience. I probably should have brought them earplugs. While Andy really enjoyed the movie. He said it was not their thing. Andy definitely found it to be funny and exciting. There were a couple of jump scares that caught them unaware. But, for the most part Andy enjoyed seeing the movie. I loved it because I could share something that I love with my boy and since it was Andy’s request to see the movie it was even better. We went to the movie after Andy’s last Rock Climbing class until the Fall. When I went back in to pick Andy up the 3 boys had decided that they would like to meet up over the Summer to climb together. It has been a great experience for Andy to have at Rock Spot. It has definitely helped their confidence in so many ways. I know that Andy is looking forward to more classes in the Fall.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01616 Eva has had her cat, James for 11 years. From the moment she first held him in her arms she was in love. The two are inseparable when she is home. He is constantly looking for her whenever she is gone. He no longer fits in the palms of her hands but he certainly still tries to. It was love at first sight.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01615 I have been so focused on the Black Belt Test that I have been unable to give time to some reviews. I have a bunch of Playmobil Naruto characters to show you and also a fun toy bow and arrow set to also review. They have been sitting behind me in the office for months and have been looking at me wondering when I will review them. Soon, very soon.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01614 This weekend both Andy and Eva were making use of the kitchen. They each did some crazy baking. Andy made some gluten-free chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies. Eva made 4 batches of M&M cookies. She was supposed to make 4 dozen cookies for a bake sale at school. However, 4 batches makes well over 4 dozen cookies. So, she was very busy. The cookies came out great.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01613 Andy made some chocolate chip whoopie pies tonight for Rock Climbing on Wednesday. They were also gluten free ones so that everyone in Andy’s class can enjoy them. One of the other kids is gluten-free and Andy has made sure that everything made was gluten-free. Andy may be doing more of that this Summer to share with the family.