THE BELT. IT IS RED.

The Boy is nearing his fourth year as a martial artist. In the beginning, belt colors change quickly, now as he's nearing the coveted Black, belt colors change more slowly. I wish the same could be said of The Boy.

The Boy is becoming this mature being who voluntarily helps me do the Spring Cleaning, finishes his homework and special assignments on his own, and does his chores with little reminders. He does not like to disappoint.

He is also becoming a young man who expects perfection of himself.

He is reminding me more and more of myself at his age. Luckily, I can see it and try to help him to understand that he does need to be perfect, he just needs to be himself.

He has been slowly embracing that idea this month and letting go of his incredibly high expectations of himself, while still holding himself to a high standard.

Our kids are total opposites. The Girl we have to push and prod and threaten and continually beat motivate the lazy out of her.

The Boy we have to make realize that it is sometimes okay to have your best be average in some areas. Especially when your best in other areas is extremely superb.

He is finally getting there. Jeet Kun Do is a major part of him finding his confidence and learning that having to work hard at something doesn't mean you suck. It means you are learning.

Two weekends ago, The Boy tested for two hours to receive his Red Belt.

He and his fellow High Purple buddies sweated and sparred and pushed their muscles to the limit.

When we asked The Boy how the test was he said, "Hard, and I'll just leave it at that."

The other High Purples are siblings, the boy in the middle is The Boy's favorite sparring partner. They are becoming pretty good friends as well.

One of the best parts of this particular studio is that it feels like family. The Boy has another safe zone where the other kids and the adults care about him. They don't think it's odd to show it either.

The Boy hated sparring in the beginning, but now it is his all time favorite activity. He spars with a vengeance. Sifu, who is constantly observing and teaching, instills a fairness in them. Sparring isn't about kicking butt at this age, it is about using the proper techniques and reading your opponent. Even if that means you need to back off and give them room to breath a little. Sifu is an amazing role model for our young man.

Sifu understands that kids this age need encouragement and realistic expectations. He sets them goals to reach for, knowing that although they may have to dig deep, they can indeed reach them.

Honor and respect.

Knowledge.

Pride.

As The Boy sniffed his new belt, we all chuckled. The oldest boy on the far left commented that new belt smell is like new car smell.

I would guess that as awful as the old belts must smell after all those months of hardwork, that statement is very true indeed.

This group of kids started pretty much together when the studio first opened. They are now the highest ranking kids in the studio. They have all taken this responsibility to heart and have been very conscientious of their leadership positions. Helping the lower belts and encouraging them along, as Sifu has trained them to do. Continuing the family.