Big "D" Nationals - Addison 03.19.11

It was another fast but fun weekend! We left Friday night as soon as we could headed to Addison. As we left town, we passed a stand on the road that was selling bonsai trees and Mattie May asked Grumpy if she could have one. She told him they had been there all week and Lolo wouldn't buy one. He told her if she won a trophy that he would buy one for her.

We grabbed something to eat in Weatherford and got back on the road as soon as we could. Mattie May needed to get in bed even though she didn't have to be at her tournament as early as last week. She loves staying in the H Hotel but this time she didn't know she did until the next morning. She fell asleep in the car and never woke up as we moved her to the room.

Up bright and early to get breakfast and to the gym. The tournament was held at Greenhill School in Addison The facilities were fantastic. And what a crowd. But thank goodness we didn't have to rush. We decided last week that Mattie May didn't need to be entered in the demos so all she had to do was her kata and sparring.

After the opening ceremonies and rules meeting, a traditional lion dance was done. It was great! We were on the front row so we could see very well. And as they came around to the crowd, well, you can see how close we were.

We had her practice her kata several times before they called her division and she did very good. So when we called her name we thought she would do fine. She had a little trouble with the floor. There were no mats, and her feet wouldn't slide. But then she did something she has never done. SHE FORGOT HER KATA!! When she was finished we asked her what happened because she knows her kata very well. She told us she didn't do hers, she did Rayven's! Oh my, what a little stinker! We had a little discussion about that right then and there and that should never happen again!

She had about an hour and a half before sparring and we did everything we could to get her to rest. But that just wasn't going to happen. We did manage to get a corn dog down her before it was time. I know, real healthy diet!

There were 16 kids in her division again and I think three girls. She did very well the first two rounds, but by the third she was telling us she didn't want to spar anymore. Yikes! She made it through the third round OK. She took the lead but then let him catch her, but she managed to move ahead of him and take that round too.

She really did not want to spar the last round and we kept telling her it was the last round of the day and if she would just get out there she could do anything she wanted when she was through. She still didn't want to go but she did, crying all the way. I was having flashbacks of soccer where she would just stand there and cry! She didn't just stand, she kicked and threw punches crying the entire time! She lost by two but won second place! We were so excited and it took a bit for it to sink in that she had won!

5 & Under Boys & Girls Sparring - Beginners

Second Place

When she headed up to get her trophy, the tears were gone and she had completely forgotten about being hungry. She grabbed her trophy and headed straight to Grumpy. What do you think was the first thing she said to him? "Grumpy! Do I get my bonsai tree now?!" I sure hope they are on the corner this afternoon!

Don't forget to mark you calendars for the Tumbleweed Karate Championship April 15 & 16. It's going to be a blast! Breaking on Friday night, kata and sparring on Saturday. Let me know if you interested in getting tickets early!!!



God Bless!