Tallman Family Blog

Austen's 8th grade project

2010-03-22T14:34:00.003-04:00

Austen has a rather large 8th grade humanities project due this year. His topic is the Main Street bridge in Randolph and what it means to the town. He will be fine tuning his exact thesis as his research goes on. But its a pretty cool project. Luckily for him, our TKD instructor, Tom Chase was also in charge of the bridge re-construction a couple of years ago. He gave us a disk full of old and new pictures of the bridge. More to come later!

Today, Austen is interviewing Harriet Chase (not related to Tom Chase) from the local historical society. I get to go home early to help the other kids with their homework while Heather takes Austen to meet with Mrs. Chase. I can't wait to find out how it went!

Northeast Technical Poomse Tournament in CT

2009-10-19T19:40:00.013-04:00

Austen, Peter and I had a very exciting weekend, heading to Connecticut for the Northeast Technical (Poomse) championship tournament on Sunday and a 3 hour workout/seminar with Great Grandmaster Hae Man Park on Saturday. Both events were put on by Grandmaster Turgeon of Connecticut Chungdokwan.
Here I am after the seminar with GGM Hae Man Park. I am told he is approximately 80 years old. He is one of the founding fathers of TKD and is GM Turgeon's instructor. GGM Park's office at TKD headquarters in Korea is next to GGM Tae Sung Lee's. GGM Lee is our instructor (Master Chase)'s instructor. Its a little complicated, but basically, GGM Park is one of the highest ranking black belts in TKD and the chairman of the group that originally wrote all of the TKD forms that we practice. It was great to learn the forms from the person that wrote the forms!We came down to the seminar with Master Chase and Miss Buckholts from the Randolph Blue Wave group. Because Master Chase was a referee for the tournament on Sunday, and we were tagging along with him, we got to have lasagna dinner at GM Turgeon's house with GGM Park and the other referees. Very cool!We all spent the night at Master Tetreault's house. The whole Tetreault family was very generous. We had a great time with them, playing cards and watching the Yankees/Angels game. Thank you so much!The next day was the tournament. Here is the Blue Wave contingent. Miss Pavlo came down from Burlington to compete and Master Robinson was a referee. Mr. and Mrs. Elliot came down too!It was the first tournament the boys have ever competed in that was not in Randolph, so there were some nerves to contend with! They both competed very well. There were a lot of competitors from GM Turgeon's gyms in Connecticut, but people came from all over. Several from Pennsylvania, also New York, Massachusetts and probably other gyms too.
Here's Peter.
. . . . and Austen. The boys were in different divisions. They each performed 2 forms of their choice. There were 5 judges or referees scoring electronically --- similar to how figure skating or gymnastics is scored. The highest and lowest scores are thrown out. They have a max of 5 points each for presentation and technical correctness -- for each form.
It was all smiles after the event. Blue Wavers got 2 firsts and 2 seconds. The scores for Austen and Peter are below --- This is their first time with this scoring system.

Thanks to Master Chase for taking us. We're already thinking about when to compete next. Maybe all of us will compete next time!

Peter doing Form 7 (Tae guk chil jang).

Austen doing Form 8 (Tae guk pal jang).

Black Belt

2009-08-16T09:17:00.010-04:00

Blue Wave TKD Summer Camp 2009 was a blast --- as usual! This year Friday night testing included me testing for recommended black belt! WOOHOO!

The Black Belt Board is ready.
Randolph dojang is watching.My parents were there to watch!After the first group of candidates testing for decided black belt, my group went on the mats for the recommended testing. Line-up for testing is by age within each rank. Surprisingly to me, I was 4th oldest of the 6 candidates. Usually, I'm the gray-beard!
We had a kibbons (warm-ups), followed by poomse (forms), free kicking, ho shin sool (self-defense), sparring, one-step sparring and board breaking.I had 2 sparring matches with Drew from the Hinesburg dojang. After the testing I realized I probably broke my left big toe!
Saturday and Sunday are full of work-outs and group activities. This is our 4th year at summer camp, so now all the kids meet up with their buddies from other dojangs. Here's Cora, Ella and Britney.

Maddie and Zuzu.

Slip and slide!

Austen and Peter test for Black Stripe!

2009-07-20T08:53:00.006-04:00

On Friday, July 17, a good chunk of the Randolph dojang journeyed to Bradford, VT to support Austen and Peter testing for their first gup rank, which gives them a black stripe on their red belt. Several other students from East Haven and Bradford also either mock tested or actually tested for first gup. I participated with a black belt mock testing along with three Bradford students, Mark and his son, Johnathan and Margaret.

The boys did great! They had fantastic energy, good high kicks, excellent free kicking and had a great sparring match. Congratulations to them both. They are now one step short of black belt, which they have both said is now their goal in TKD! If they are able to keep on track, they will test for black belt at Winter Camp in Manchester, NH in late February 2010.

Master Chase must have wanted to give us all a chance to perform under pressure. There was a huge black belt board watching and judging the testing. He asked everyone to wear their uniforms to Bradford, but we thought only Austen, Peter and I would be actually doing TKD. WRONG! Canyen and PJ did a mock testing while Austen and Peter actually tested, and Heather, Cora and all the green belts that were there were called out to perform their testing forms. That gets your adreneline going, just ask Heather!
Check out Austen's high side kick and Peter's air during free kicking!
I think this is Tae Guk Sa jang --- the fourth form. Excellent foot position and leg extension on their side kicks. Peter was closest to the photographer and Austen is behind Peter.
Here's Austen breaking the first board in his 4-station sequence of breaks. He nailed it.
I think this is Peter's 3rd break. Looking very good!
I was lucky enough to have a mock testing to prepare for my real black belt test which is in 2 weeks in Tunbridge at the Fairgrounds. My three mock testing partners from Bradford will also be testing in Tunbridge, probably with some others from the other Blue Wave dojangs. There are usually around 8 black belt candidates at the twice a year testings. This is a testing for "recommended" black belt. If I pass that test, then I will have a shorter version of the same testing at the next Winter Camp to confirm this testing.
I was pretty amped up for the testing and had good energy throughout --- maybe a little too much! I had problems breaking my boards, most likely because I was so amped up my focus was a little lost. At least I know what to work on for summer camp.

Austen's first Lacrosse game

2009-04-28T21:46:00.003-04:00

Yesterday started the BUSY season for us Tallman's and I couldn't be more thrilled. Little League baseball, TKD and now LACROSSE!!

We all got to watch Austen's first Lacrosse game yesterday. I am so soo proud of him! He was really nervous before the game all day and forgot his game jersey at home. He was the smallest kid on the team and he LOVED the game! He was a great hustler and even though he was winded, he kept at it. It was awesome to watch!

It was a home game against Lamoille and Randolph was definitely outnumbered. Lamoille had at least 10 kids on the bench compared to our three. Randolph started strong and had the lead in the 2nd period but ended up out of gas and lost 9-4.

Austen got to play to attack positions and middie. He loved it!

I love this picture of Austen. Next up, Wednesday afternoon against Rutland!

Gibnut, gibnut, gibnut!

2009-04-27T20:52:00.004-04:00

On Wednesday, we had a fabulous day. We journeyed out to the Cayo ruins in Western Belize, on the Guatemala border. More pictures to follow. We had a guide that day named Gabriel Vasquez, who also led our bird watching trip earlier in the week. Gabriel was the absolute greatest guide, we loved spending our day with him. He even showed us his childhood school and dad's home in the tiny village of Tea Kettle. Anyway, after a morning with Gabriel at the first ruin site, Gabriel took us to a small restaurant for lunch in San Ignacio. The special of the day was Gibnut, a wild game animal, referred to in books as the "Royal Rat of Belize", served to the Queen of England on her last visit.
Gabriel couldn't have been more excited about gibnut, and it was infectious --- his excitement that is. Gibnut is considered a delicacy and apparently is a rare delicacy. We couldn't help but share in his excitement and ordered gibnut too. Mine came with a lot of small bones and a big slice of fat or skin. Once I got that out of the way, the meat was actually very good. It came with an egg salad and rice and beans. Very satisfying!
Here's a baby gibnut above. It was a fun day and the best gibnut I ever had!

Back From Belize

2009-04-26T08:44:00.004-04:00

We're back from a week in Belize. My parents gave us an amazing gift: a week vacation anywhere we wanted to go with them. We hoped that it would work out to be a totally relaxed time for all of us and that the kids would develop some fabulous memories with their grandparents! It definitely worked out that way!
We chose Belize because we thought it would be an easy trip to a beautiful wamr place, with tons of activities that we could do as an extended family, including just sitting at the beach or pool.
We were right and wrong. The trip worked out better than we could have ever imagined. But the traveling was not easy. We left our Belize home at 6:15 AM and didn't arrive home in Vermont until 1:30 AM then next morning.
The time we spent in Bellize was priceless! The land is beautiful, the water is clear and warm, the people are unbelieveably friendly. What we discovered, was a beautiful country with an amazing history, which is populated by fascinating people. We can't wait to go back! More pictures to follow.

Master Lee comes to Randolph

2009-03-14T19:30:00.008-04:00

On Thursday night we had a VERY SPECIAL TREAT --- Grand Master Tae Sung Lee stopped at our small Randolph gym to lead our workout. THANKS to Libby Papp and Ramsey Papp for all the pictures! None of these photos, except the first one, are my own work!
This is the second year in a row that GM Lee has visited. The gym was packed with right around 30 TKD-ers, including vistors from Burlington and Bradford.
Here's the whole group. The great thing about working out with GM Lee is that you feel it for days. As I sit at the computer editing this on Sunday morning, my butt and leg muscles are still sore! 2-1/2 days later. As I look at the picture, I am reminded how great it is that our whole family can work out together. Our Randolph group has kids from age 5 working out together with other kids of all ages and sizes and adults in their 40's. We all work out together. Its a testament to our wonderful group that this works out so well.
Here's Master Peter Chase. With GM Lee here, who is Master Chase's instructor, Master Chase changed his normal role as an instructor into student.
Another great thing about Blue Wave TKD is the opportunity it gives everyone in class to have a turn teaching others. Its a great learning tool for the teachers and the students and a chance for everyone to gain confidence. Here is Austen working with Ella on one-step sparring.
When GM Lee leads the workout, you are sure of two things: lots of push-ups and sore muscles the next day!
This is the last group in a free kicking drill. Ella and Britney were so cute with their free kicking. Ella impressed me with her spinning back kicks!
Ella and Britney again.
Everyone's kicks are a little higher and kiy-yups are a little louder when GM Lee visits.
GM Lee is a 9th dan or 9th degree black belt, which is basically as high as you can get in TKD. I'm told he even has students who are 9th degree black belts. As I understand it, the only 10th degree black belts are honorary ones, such as the President of Korea. If I were to progress in belt levels as fast as possible, I would be able to reach 9th degree in, I think - 45 years! I would be 87! I think I'll focus on more attainable goals for now.
This is from Master White's warm-up session.
Our instructors, Masters Peter and Tom Chase join the ranks of the students when GM Lee visits. He became their instructor when GM Lee's student, GM Twing, who originally started the Randolph dojang and was the Chase's instructor, passed away. Grand Master Bruce Twing is the founder of the Blue Wave and originally began training in TKD with GM Lee when he was stationed in Korea in the 60's before TKD was called TKD. Grand Master Twing's first dojang in Hardwick, VT offered "Korean karate", since no one had ever heard of TKD yet. Now its an olympic sport!

It was great to see GM Lee working with kids at the workout. He really is a great teacher. You fully expect that he brings a level of respect that makes everyone give their best. But he knows how to encourage kids and push them hard at the same time he gives them strokes. Sometimes its very hard to understand him, but he knows how to get his points across.

It was a great workout. Master White, the Burlington instructor and President of the Blue Wave started us out with a lengthy and strenuous warm-up. Then GM Lee took over, teaching basics and poomse, one-step sparring and no-contact sparring, free kicking --- and lots of push-ups. It felt great!

Winter Camp 2009

2009-03-02T07:32:00.011-05:00

Kids acting crazy.
Master Lee sitting with a group of colored belt kids. Master Lee is a little intimidating but he is an excellent teacher and motivator and he is very patient with kids. He told them: If you make a mistake, its OK, its not your fault, its your instructor's fault.

Me helping to hold for a second dan testing candidate. Holding is fun, but its very important that you hold correctly, so that your holding doesn't make the board harder to break than it should be.
Mr. Emerson is great with kids --- Here he set up a parent jump drill where non-TKD parents and some black belts had to lie on the ground while the kids ran and jumped over them. I watched Ella jump right on top of Mr. Robie's back!
We're back from TKD Winter Camp 2009. As usual we had a blast! Check out the smile on Cora as she does paddle kicking drills.
This year was special for several reasons:
++ I'm one step below testing for black belt --- so watching the students testing had extra significance for me this year.
++ Our instructor, Master Tom Chase was testing for 6th dan (6th degree black belt)
++ This was our first TKD camp when ALL OF US were fully involved and participated in all the events. Heather and Ella joined about a year ago, but Ella was not ready to do everything at summer camp. This year, she did everything except sparring. She was so exhausted she actually was sleeping in a chair next to the ring while the rest of us sparred!

Here's Master Chase doing his board breaking. It was pretty cool for me to be holding for him on the final break. You can see the top section of the board go flying and you can hear the crowd ooh-ing, but you can't see the board hit the ceiling tile and take out a divot! Pretty cool.
Here's Ella, with PJ in the background and Katie holding for paddle drills.
Heather practicing her ax kick.
Kim and Maddie
There is a special award ceremony for the last student to register. The award is a goofy costume to wear. This year it was a teenage mutant ninja turtle dobak, which had to be worn all weekend at the seminars!
Friday night is testing night. We had a cake for Master Chase and Miss (Kimberly) Buckholts who tested for 6th dan and second dan. It was also Ramsey's birthday and Peter's birthday was 2 days before testing.

Cool cake!
Being a red belt means I get to help hold boards for the testing candidates' breaking sequences. Its a great chance to participate in the testing even though I'm not actually testing yet.
Master Anthony and Master Blais both tested for 7th dan.
This year was big for high level black belt candidates as Grand Master Tae Sung Lee was visiting from Korea. I'm not exactly sure of the rule on this, but I believe you have to have higher ranking judges at all testings. GM Lee is a 9th dan. In order to test for dan level black belts, you have to wait the same number of years as the belt you are testing for. So for Master Chase, who just tested for 6th dan, he will have to wait 7 more years to test again for 7th dan. I would have to be about 71 years old in order to test for 7th dan --- not likely!

Check out these board breakings. Pretty cool!

Cora's 8th birthday party

2009-02-22T15:26:00.004-05:00

Cora turned 8 on February 13th. She has been looking forward to her birthday ever since Christmas. We had a small family celebration on her actual birthday and then a skating party with her friends on Saturday. On Sunday, Laurel and Beckett arrived for a visit and COra's party was extended further. She had a great time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORA!

A long time since posting!

2009-02-22T11:53:00.007-05:00

Its been a long time since my last posting. But its been very busy here at the Tallman household. February is birthday month in Tallman-ville. First Cora on February 13th and then Peter on February 25th. In addition to all the family activities, Heather's Twin Birch business has been slamming busy! She recently picked up several new wholesale accounts, including Dartmouth College, who has asked her for pricing on an order of 10,000 customized soaps for alumni and other guests at Dartmouth functions! WOW!
Here are Cora and Ella helping Mom with a bath bomb order!
This coming weekend is Tae Kwon Do Winter camp for us. This year, camp is in Manchester, NH. Last week we had a testing for me and I earned by black stripe belt -- one level below testing for black belt! Here are a few pictures of that:
Here is me and Ramsey demonstrating Ho Shin Sool, or self-defense. Ramsey is breaking out of a shoulder hold.
This was a small testing, with me, Ramsey, getting red belt and PJ, Ramsey's son, getting his blue belt!
Master Tom Chase, Master Peter Chase, Miss Jenny Chase and Miss Kimberley Buckholts looking on from the judge's panel.
Group shot

Christmas Concerts

2008-12-22T12:45:00.007-05:00

Its been more than 2 months since my last post. We have been busy with school, work, TKD, Heather's Twin Birch business, Christmas, Thanksgiving, homework, etc. You get the idea. Its been especially busy lately and this week we had the pleasure of back to back Holiday concerts, First, Austen's 7th grade band played and the next night, we had a two-fer, Peter's 5/6 band and Ella's kindergarten played at the elementary school.
Ella was especially excited and dressed in her favorite outfit for her performance.
I'm not exactly sure what this pose was about, but you can tell she was thrilled about the concert!
Austen and Peter were excited about playing, but not as excited about posing for pictures first. Here's Austen posing by the Christmas tree with his necktie.
Austen loves his band teacher, Mr. Stumpf. He definitely makes band fun and has made the transition from elementary to middle school band easy. Here's Mr. Stumpf leading the 8th grade band down the aisle to start the concert.
In addition to Austen's 7th grade band, we also heard the 8th grade band, the high school concert band, the jazz band, the 7/8 chorus, the high school chorus and all of the bands and singers together. It was a long night, but they all sounded fabulous.
Here's Austen and Rhys, the 2 7th grade sax players. You can also make out Vaughn in the background, playing the drums. You may remember Rhys and Vaughn from Peter's little league baseball team.

The next night we heard Peter playing in his first band concert. Here's Peter with James and Sarah getting ready to play the drums.

Ella played next with the kindergarteners. Here she is with Shawn.
The kids sounded great. It was Ella's first concert!

Heather's famous again!

2008-10-12T10:28:00.005-04:00

Heather was on the Channel 3 News on Friday night! Twin Birch Bath and Body was featured on the weekly segment by reporter Jack Thurston called, "Made in Vermont". Every week they feature a different company that is Made in Vermont!
Heather received a call --- out of the blue on Wednesday afternoon from the reporter who saw Twin Birch featured on a Vermont etsy sellers website and he loved her ghost soaps - perfect for the Halloween season.
Jack Thurston came up to the "bubble lab" on Friday morning with Robin, the camera girl.
They spent about 2 hours taking video, interviewing Heather and then were on their way!
It was pretty cool --- Heather did great. I think she's ready for more TV appearances.
You can click on the video below to see the actual segment as shown on the news. Heather already has several new orders that seem to have come from viewers! Awesome!

BVT golf outing

2008-09-29T08:06:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, Heather and I headed to Bradford for a Blue Wave golf tournament to benefit the Bruce V. Twing Scholarship Fund. The weather forecast called for driving rain, but we lucked into perfect conditions. There were two teams from Randolph. Amy and Shawn brought home awards for closest to the pin.
Heather and I headed out with Master Tom Chase, our TKD instructor and his brother, Tim.
Ramsey took all the pictures here. She played with Amy, Shawn and Mr. Tinkham , the Groton Blue Wave instructor.
It was a "best ball" style tournament.
For some reason, Master Chase demonstrated poomse on Hole #5!

We still haven't figured out why Tim is doing this!! or why it was so funny!
Heather chips toward the green.

Tunbridge Fair 2008

2008-09-24T15:38:00.009-04:00

Every year we head out to the Tunbridge Fair in early September. Its always a blast and this year was no exception. Some of the kids get to go with their class on Thursday. We go as a family on Friday night -- otherwise known as ride night.Kids get all the rides they can handle for the price of one bracelet. Not exactly cheap at $12 a bracelet for 4 kids! But they love it.
This year it rained like cats and dogs on Friday night, just long enough to create huge mud puddles on the dirt paths and soak the kids to the bone. We all still had a blast. This year the boys joined up with some friends and explored while we walked around with the girls, going on just about every kiddie ride 3 or 4 times.
Here's Cora and Ella on the semi-truck ride. We also checked out the craft barn to see Randolph Elementary's water bottle sculpture as well as craft and vegetable entries from many of their friends that do 4-H and other community programs. This year, none of our kids had any entries, though. We also checked out the animal barns, and especially the chicken and poultry barns, as well as the commercial tent. The Tunbridge Fairgrounds is the same site where we camp out for TKD Summer camp, so its really cool to see it the quiet TKD grounds come alive for Fair week.
Austen and Peter found Austen's junior high classmates Tessie, Lance and Aaron and chowed down on some large italian sausage with peppers and onions, washed down with fried dough before hitting the midway for the rides.Probably not a good idea. After this picture, Austen laid down in the wet grass for about 15 minutes to get his bearings. He did feel much better after that. Below are Austen and Peter explaining what happens when you ride the Hurl-A-Whirl three times in a row after eating lots of fair food!

After the boys' stomach's settled, we hit the chicken, pig and cow barns and watched Cora and Ella take a few more rides before heading back over the mountain and home to Randolph.
Some of the chickens were WEIRD looking! I wish I had a picture of what she is looking at!

Can't wait 'til next year at the TUNBRIDGE FAIR!

Bradford Quarterly testing

2008-09-20T19:58:00.007-04:00

We had another exciting TKD event on Friday. Austen and Peter tested at the Bradford Blue Wave dojang for their RED BELTS! Heather and Ella tested for their YELLOW BELTS! Red Belt testing is huge and the boys were very excited for the past several months as they waited for their time to test. Testing was huge for Heather and Ella too, as it was only their second testing ever, and they had to test in a "foreign" gym. Everybody was nervous and excited!
Austen and Peter's testing required demonstrating their skill at all of the basic skills for kicking, blocking and striking up to their testing level, a verbal element as they are required to answer questions from the Black Belt board, one-step sparring, full-contact sparring, free kicking, poomse and kibbons and board breaking. Its a lot!
They both did great! The whole testing took over three hours for the 3 testing groups and we were all tired when it was over, especially the testing candidates.
The Bradford gym itself is very cool and definitely unique (although my experience with dojangs is limited to Randolph, Bradford and Burlington -- so I may not be in a position to know!) It occupies the third floor of a large historic building in downtown Bradford. Mr. Emerson explained that it was formerly used for everything from a basketball court to a .22 shooting range. It had a drop ceiling before it was renovated and everyone was pleasantly surprised to find the beautiful woodwork that was uncovered when the drop ceiling was removed.Although everyone was keyed up before the testing started, once it was over, there was time to relax and let loose!

Heather and Ella tested together for their yellow belt, with two other candidates from Bradford going for green stripe and green.

Here's Ella's verbal portion where she answers the question from Master Chase of "What is the literal meaning of Tae Kwon Do?"

Austen and Peter both practiced hard for their board breaking and we have a barrel of wood chunks to prove it! Both boys did the same breaking sequence -- the same one I did at my red belt testing in July. Above is Peter --- Below is Austen.

First day of School 2008

2008-09-01T16:09:00.002-04:00

Monday was the first day of the new school year. The kids were all actually excited about going back to school. Its a big change for Ella and Austen this year because Austen starts at the junior high school in 7th grade and Ella starts kindergarten. This year, Austen has a separate bus a half hour earlier than the others to get to school, but they all come back together on the same bus. It looks like Austen will either walk to school or get driven by me on my way to work most mornings.

There go Ella and Cora! Off to school on the big yellow bus!
WOW! Where did the day go? Already time for Heather to meet the kids at the bus stop. Ella has half days three days a week until January when she will switch to 4 full days and one half day.
Just what the kids needed: a vigorous walk up the driveway after a full day of school. Time for a snack and then homework.

Short vacation in NH

2008-08-27T18:14:00.012-04:00

We made a list at the beginning of the summer with the kids of the things we definitely wanted to do this summer vacation. Summers are short in Vermont and everyone weekend is packed with activities, so its easy to forget to do things that you really want to do. There is never time for everything! This summer we wanted to: go to Cape Cod (Check), Silver Lake (check), TKD Summer Camp (check), Mini-golfing and water park in NH (Check), Storyland (coming up in September), see all the cousins (whoops -- due to a series of mis-fires, this hasn't happened yet!), we will get to see Kristin, Olivia and Sofia later today as they trek to Vermont for the afternoon!

We took a long (4-day) weekend and headed to Lincoln, NH. We picked the best day to go to the Whale's Tail waterpark in North Woodstock and really lucked out. It was a spectacular day and just as we got ready to leave in the afternoon, thundershowers appeared and they shut the park down. Perfect timing! As you can see, everyone had a blast! They have pools and equipment for little kids, big kids and for everyone to use. The highlights were the giant toilet bowl (See the movie of me on it below) and the wave pool. We had tons of fun!

It was a stormy weekend weatherwise and on Tuesday we headed to Hampton Beach in a rainstorm. The kids didn't want to go to the beach that day, but the weather report called for periods of sunshine and we hit it perfectly. It cleared when we got to the beach and we got to spend two hours walking the beach and exploring the boardwalk. The kids had never been to a place quite like Hampton Beach so they were thrilled!

Last golf lesson of the season

2008-08-25T19:57:00.003-04:00

Fall is near! The Montague Golf Course free clinic ended. Austen and Peter had a great time learning golf with their friends. Heather and I are going to be in a golf tournament in Bradford next month. Maybe the boys will give us some pointers!
This is their second year doing the clinic. Its a great program that drew a lot of kids this year. Pretty soon Randolph HS will have a formidable team.
For now its just a great chance to spend some time outside learning a new skill.

New belts

2008-08-25T16:42:00.008-04:00

In the last month, Heather, Ella and Cora have all tested for new belts!
Ella had her very first testing ever. She tested all by herself and did great!!!
Here she is showing off her super-high ax kicks.

Ella was tested on all of the "basic moves" for white belts. She has been working hard on her kiyyap to make sure it is loud enough.
Ella is all smiles as Master Chase ties her new yellow stripe belt on her.Cora tested for green stripe. A lot is expected of green belts! There are a lot more kicking and hand techniques that have to be learned as well as new exercises including Tae Guk Il Jang, the first poomse.
Cora has a nice round kick here.
Yellow belts have to master the jumping round kick. Look at Cora!
Everyone was proud of Cora!
Its a long night of testing when we have quarterly testing night. even yellow belts need a rest.
Austen and Peter are getting ready for their next testing --- red belt. Their next chance is at the September quarterly testing in Bradford. Master Chase has told them that they have to demonstrate they are ready by being consistently energetic and powerful in their techniques. If they can do that, they will test next month in Bradford!
Heather tested for yellow stripe at the quarterly testing and did great also! It was a very exciting night. We are all proud of Heather!!!
Who knew? Heather loves to spar!

More photos from TKD summer camp

2008-08-05T16:11:00.013-04:00

huddling up after hogu drills
Candidates for black belt
Self-defense demonstration at black belt testing
Heather and PJ cheer their team on
Heather
The Brobst's
Katie
Kimberly
Peter and Jonathan
Ella
Maddie
Gerry's team just won the banana olympics
Ramsey, Ella and Mr. Emerson cheer on their team
Ella does paddle drills
Heather warming up
Back from the Saturday morning river push-ups
Austen and Heather
River push-ups
Ella and Kira on the mats
This was the cool self defense (SPEAR) drill with Master Anthony. These suits are new and are great because you can practice moves you wouldn't be able to do otherwise. Here we were just going at half speed.
Again with Master Anthony
Heather and Amy doing paddle drills
Cora doing paddle drills
Heather getting excited during dodge ball
Ladies enjoying ice cream
Cora practices the triple kick
This was Austen's ABSOLUTE favorite of the weekend: Bostaff with Mr. Tinkham. Now he has his own bostaff from the hardware store. He's been playing with sticks since he was tiny, so this is a natural.
The Brobst's practicing their new poomse.
Mr. Robie with Kaylee on the slip and slide
Ella
Cora
Here are the black belts launching the water balloons at the red belts!
Here I am getting hit in the leg
Gwendolyn - our helper for the weekend gets a break on the slip and slide
Austen
Peter
Cora
Ramsey
The water wasn't that bad, was it?!
Randolph group at closing ceremonies
Saturday drills
Peter's awesome flying side kick!

Blue Wave TKD Summer Camp 2008

2008-08-03T19:34:00.004-04:00

This is just the first posting about Summer TKD camp. There will be more coming! Today we got back from TKD Summer Camp held at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds. This is our third year going to the camp as a family, but this time ALL OF US were participants as Heather and Ella recently joined the gym to start taking classes. Austen, Peter and I were 3rd year participants and Cora has now participated as a camper twice. Click here for last year's Summer Camp post and here for Heather's recent testing post!
This year may well have been the most fun we have had at Summer camp. Some of the highlights included the black belt testing on Friday night. This year as a red belt, I was able to get on the mats during the testing to help hold boards for the testing candidates! Click here and here for two board breaking series from candidates testing for 2nd dan.

Some of the highlights included a great seminar called Intermediate SPEAR on Saturday. This is a self defense class. The Blue Wave recently purchased several full body suits which are used in self defense instruction to allow the participants to simulate self defense at a higher level of speed and power. In this intermediate class, we were given the chance to defend ourselves using the techniques of SPEAR against our instructors who were wearing the body suits. Having the suits allowed us to try techniques that you really can't do with contact, unless you have excellent full body and head protection. It was pretty cool and we are hoping to get another chance at this soon!
As I mentioned in an earlier post, red belts are required to a lot of "grunt work" at Summer camp, including cleaning the mats and are expected to drop for push-ups for almost any reason or no reason, as directed by black belts. At this year's summer camp, we red belts scooped the ice cream at the ice cream social. On Sunday morning, there was a fun event at morning line-up, which was titled: "Red Belt Motivation check and MOTU (4th degree black belt and higher) water balloon sling shot contest. As red belts we were the targets!! It was actually a lot of fun!
Saturday night is the fun adult and juniors dodge ball competitions. Heather was "in it to win it." Here she is getting ready to throw! After that, I competed in the cribbage tournament with Master Peter Chase, winning two games, before losing to the eventual champs, Mr. Jones and Mr. Walls from Connecticut.

Everyone is pooped, but had a great time and can't wait til next year. If all goes well, I may be testing next year for black belt!

Randolph Dojang testing

2008-07-30T12:28:00.006-04:00

We had another exciting night of TKD testing. This time I was a spectator and this time it was in our own dojang. It was a long night of testing, since we hadn't tested since March in our own gym. Up for new ranks were Heather, Kim, Katie, Maddie, Cora, PJ and Amy.
Heather went first. It was her very first testing and she did GREAT! She passed with flying colors, earning 3+ out of 4 for most of her techniques.
Heather told me before class that she was nervous about her ax kicks. But she practiced a lot and nailed them. Congratulations Heather!!
You earned it!
Next up was Cora. She also had been practicing a lot in preparation. Cora worked hard to increase her power and I think it showed. She knew her moves and did a great job!
Here she is doing back leg, jumping side kick!
back kick!
Cora earned her green stripe. Congratulations Cora!!
It was a long and tiring night of testing. Everyone needed a little break. Especially those who were testing.
Austen and Peter and I didn't get to test this night. Next time we will have to test in a different dojang, like I did recently for my red belt. Peter did get to spar with PJ and I with Amy for their testing requirements.
Everyone passed!

New testing poomse

2008-07-24T21:00:00.002-04:00

When you reach a new belt level, you receive a new set of standard goals, which usually include a new testing poomse or form and new kicks and hand moves. This is an example I found on the web of Taeguek chil jang, which is my new testing poomse. Fun!

YES!!!!

2008-07-23T14:32:00.017-04:00

Success! Testing for red belt is a pretty big deal in TKD. One of the requirements is that you cannot test in your own dojang for this level belt. So the Randolph students testing for red belt and red stripe traveled to Burlington's dojang for our testing last night. Testing for red belt were me (Gerry), Mike and Sonja. Ramsey tested for red stripe. Although there were plenty of friendly faces there . . .including the 4 black belts from our dojang, Master Tom Chase, Master Peter Chase (above), Miss Chase (our fabulous babysitter) and Miss Buckholts (Sonja's daughter! --- see way above) . . .There was also a formidable line-up of black belts there to help conduct the testing, to sit on the judging panel and to help out with the testing!Red belt is one step below black belt and to symbolize the difference between black belt and red belt, red belts are required to do push ups ALL THE TIME, especially if any other colored belt student does something wrong. For example, the yellow belts testing last night forgot to kiyyap on their turns, and so as punishment, all red belts had to do push-ups whenever the same mistake was made, which was a lot! Actually, its kind of fun! Here we are doing push-ups because the lower rank students didn't line up correctly. We had to keep doing push-ups until everyone was lined up right.

The testing lasted over an hour with many requirements, including freekicking (2 above) and sparring (above).

We also had to break boards. All the Randolph students testing for red belt did the "standard Randolph red belt testing break series", which is a standing side kick, followed by a stepping, turning back kick, a step behind side kick (2 boards) and a front elbow strike.
You can see Mike's breaking here and Sonja's here.
I broke my boards on my series, but unfortunately, kicked Master White's fingers hard on one attempt and then kicked Ms. Essig's fingers on the next attempt. OUCH! I am SO sorry about that.In the end, we all passed our testing! We celebrated with a meal at Al's French Fries in South Burlington!

One of the requirements of red belts is that they kneel any time they take off their belt or put it on. Here I am having my red belt tied on me by Master Tom Chase.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO TESTED!

Red Belt testing tomorrow night in Burlington!

2008-07-21T21:01:00.005-04:00

Very exciting! I am testing for red belt tomorrow night in Burlington! I think Austen and Peter will be testing soon!

Annual Cape Cod Trip

2008-07-21T10:36:00.008-04:00

Every year we take our summer vacation at Cape Cod. See here for last year's debacle upon returning to Randolph! And here for all the 2007 pictures. My grandparents retired to Cotuit in the early 1970's, building this house on a gorgeous spot on "Shoestring Bay".
I've been to this place every summer just about for the last 40 years! Now my parents own the house and my kids love to come as much as I did and still do!
There's tons to do on Cape Cod. This year the biggest hit was my parents' swimming pool. But we also spent time on the beach in front of their home.
We kayaked. Austen and Peter have become experts and ferried around their sisters!
Every year we go miniature golfing at "Pirates Cove". This year Austen counted our scores and reported that I (Gerry) won. It was a misunderstanding, "D" had the lowest score, but that meant my "Dad" and not Austen's (me). The next lowest was "G", which Austen thought meant "Grandpapa" but really meant "Gerry".
We also went to the Four Seas, a great ice cream place. The all time favorite here is coconut ice cream. They were out of my favorite banana.
Last year my parents bought a motor boat which we used to motor around the area, finally anchoring just off the channel. I swam ashore first with Peter, then with Austen. Cora came out for a swim too!

Here's the view from the back deck.
I can't resist these pictures! The girls were trying to look like the girl in that famous Wyeth painting of the girl looking up to the farmhouse from the grassy field. Pretty close, don't you think?
They are facing the wrong direction, but don't you think that is what Wyeth's Christina's facial expression would be?
Usually we go to a Cotuit Kettleers baseball game. As usual Austen was more into his book! Click here for the recent interview with Austen about his latest book he is working on.

We all had a great time. You can tell by the contented looks on their faces as all the kids fell fast asleep on the ride home. This year was a wonderful trip. Although the kids missed seeing their cousins, they got quality time with their grandparents. We'll make plans to see the cousins soon and count our blessings for a wonderful trip. Thanks, Mom and Dad for having us come down again this year!

Another Baseball Post

2008-07-21T08:52:00.003-04:00

Well I found onemore thing to blog about with baseball! Baseball pretty much dominated our lives for the last month of spring and the first month of summer! After the Little League baseball season was over, school was out and both Peter and Austen got to participate in a week-long baseball camp with the CBL minor league team, the Vermont Mountaineers.

Austen never played little league or minor league, only tee-ball as a 6 year old, so we spent some time practicing before the camp. The camp was held in Montpelier at an amazing field, with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Several friends from Randolph and Braintree were at the camp also, so that added to the fun.
The kids worked all week on their skills and ended the week 4 free tickets to the Mountaineers game that night against the Torrington Twisters. All the campers were introduced before the game and ran out onto the field together. It was a great way to end the baseball season and something the kids will want to do again next year, I am sure!

Interview with the Baseball Player

2008-07-20T18:04:00.004-04:00

This is the second in a series of at least 4 interviews with famous Randolph kids. Check here for the Interview with the Author (Austen). Coming next, the interview with Cora.

Due to a delays getting his tryout scheduled, Peter joined the Athletics after their first two practices. As one of the new players on the team, Peter platooned with other new players. Peter got to play all of the outfield positions, finishing the season sharing duties in left field with Jordan. Peter improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the season and was praised by Coach Cal for his never ending hustle in left field. Good job Peter!

Here are the links to my posting on the A's season.

Peter starts Little Leaugue
A's win in the playoffs against the Mets
A's lose to Dodgers in the playoffs
A's reach the final game, but lose to the Dodgers

Here's the interview:
G: Peter, tell me about your season.

P: It was a rough season in the beginning. It ended really good. We got second place. We got to the finals against the Dodgers. The Dodgers were the toughest team to beat all season. They were undefeated.

G: So, the A's really improved from the beginning of the year, didn't they?

P: Yes. We were last place in the regular season and made it to the Championship final.

G: How about you? You improved a lot individually, right?

P: Yeah. I guess so.

G: You had never played baseball before in an organized leauge.

P: No, I hadn't.

G: What was your favorite moment in the season?P: When I caught a pop fly in center field.

G: Who was that against?

P: The Dodgers, actually.

G: How about at the plate? Your favorite moment?

P: I hit a double off the Yankees. It was off Eric Hildenbrand.

G: Nice job! What are you looking forward to for next year?

P: A good season. Like last one.

G: Do you want to try any different positions? Any goals for fielding or hitting?

P: I would like to try playing second base. And, I want to get a couple of outs. Maybe a double play. Also, I want to get a triple this year!G: WOW! That would be great! I hope you do. What about your coach? He did a great job with the team, didn't he?

P: Yes. He did a really nice job.

G: Are most of your players coming back for another year?

P: I don't really know.

G: Well congratulations on a great season. We had a blast cheering you and your teammates on. Next year should be even better!

4th of July

2008-07-08T10:20:00.004-04:00

As always, the 4th of July is a really special and exciting day for us. Not only is it Austen's birthday, but the Randolph 4th of July parade is the signature event in our small town. Its a big parade by Vermont standards and everyone in Randolph and the surrounding towns comes out to celebrate.People line the streets and stake out their spots to watch the parade as early as 7AM. We usually set out on our bikes at around 9AM to ride up and down the parade route and get a look at the floats lining up and all the people.This year we watched the parade from the house we rent out that sits right on the parade route. Our good friends the Ashworths who are moving to Oklahoma came by to watch with us.
After the parade we head home to set up for our BBQ. We usually rent a Jumping Fun House for the occasion. (Sorry no picture). The fireworks are the night before the parade.One of the things that make the 4th of July festivities so special is that it reminds us of the day Austen was born, 12 years ago. The parade actually goes right past the hospital where he was born. In those days, the birthing center and our room was right at the front of the hospital and after Austen was born at 2AM on the 4th, we looked out the window at the parade floats lining up and the bands warming up to head out. I held baby Austen, just a few hours old, at the window to look out at the parade. Now here we are years later to watch our 13th parade together on his 12th birthday!
The next day we headed out to the river to enjoy a cool dip. Here are some nice family shots of us, Max and the Ashworths! Click here for the whole album.

Brooke Bennett

2008-07-03T08:15:00.004-04:00

I focus on the positive in this blog, but something truly horrific happened in our small town. 12-year old Brooke Bennett, who just finished 7th grade at Randolph Union Junior HS was found dead near her uncle's property after going missing for nearly a week.
Like everyone who knew Brooke or her family, or who lives in our community, and probably anyone who has heard this horrendous story, we are in shock. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brooke and her loved ones.

Final Post on A's

2008-06-28T16:06:00.005-04:00

Since my last post about the A's, they beat the Mets (again!) to set up a final Picnic Day matchup against the undefeated Dodgers! Families, friends and supporters of all kinds showed up to root for the boys in the final game. Tyler's mom, Jess and Holly made the sign below with all the kids names on it! Ella and Cora and Tyler's sister Hannah cheered with Carrie's pom-poms!Some of the cheering squad thought of new ways to use the pom-poms.
It was a needlessly long battle to even get Peter on the A's. But boy are we glad it worked out that he could play. THANKS to Al and Anne LaPerle, members of the LL of Randolph Board for working so hard to help Peter. Not only did Peter get to play, but he couldn't have asked for a better TEAM to end up on. All the boys are good sports and play hard. Cal Poulin, the Head Coach, has two sons on the team and encourages the boys with a good mix of fun and hard work. He also has a few trick plays up his sleeve. Peter really lucked out!

You can check out all the pictures from this year's LL season here, here, here and here!The Dodgers were undefeated and had already beat the A's three times. They were seeded #1 and the A's were seeded #5, winning only 1 game in the regular season against the playoff contenders. The A's played hard and well, and kept it close until the Dodgers had break-out innings in the 3rd and 4th. The A's lost 11-0 in a shortened 4 inning game. Congratulations to the Dodgers and to the A's on great seasons.

A's lose to Dodgers

2008-06-15T17:41:00.003-04:00

The Dodgers have the best record in the league, are seeded first in the playoffs and are undefeated. The A's won only 2 regular season games, but came into the playoffs on a hot streak and beat the second seeded Mets to advance to the second round. Two of the A's regular season losses were against the Dodgers.
Fans were there to cheer them on! In the end it was a 10-0 loss. Oh well. The playoffs are a double elimination tournament, so we get another game against the winner of the Yankees and Mets -- 2 teams we have already beaten this year. The winner of that game goes on the the finals against ---- you guessed it, the Dodgers. Will the A's get a 4th try against the A's in the finals? Stay tuned!

Interview with the author --- Austen Tallman

2008-06-14T16:21:00.006-04:00

The goblin wars ---- By Austen Tallman

In the spirit woods of Noranoth two elves and a dwarf trained with their weapons. An elf called Prince Falin had a hand-and-a-half sword and a long bow. The other elf Aroth carried a pole-ax and a long sword. The dwarf Horzoth wore an axe and a short sword. As they were practicing Falin noticed a thin line of smoke in the direction of the castle. He told his friends and they mounted their horses and rode towards the castle. When they got there the castle was aflame.
“What happened hear?” said Aroth
“Goblins overwhelmed our guards and burned down the castle.” Said Horzoth.
“How do you know it was goblins?” asked Falin.
“Simple the goblin body.”
“Oh.”
“Well what now?” said Aroth.
“We go after them of course.” said Horzoth. They walked towards the horses, about half way there THUD! An arrow stuck into the tree near Falin’s head
“What the...”
CRACK!
“Chain dem up we takeum widus.”
“Aahhh my aching head”moaned Aroth.
Hit you pretty hard didn’t he, chuckled Falin.
“Stop jabbering idyots”
an arrow thudded into the goblins shoulder
“General Fourclaw we’re under attack! Gluurrrrgggg!” he gurgled and then collapsed dead.
“AMBUSH!” yelled Fourclaw before he fell to another arrow.
Four more goblins fell before they ran.
“Who shot those arrows?” said Aroth
“Me” said a voice.
“And who would that be.”
“I am called Rotan head wizard of Grocin. Your names?”
Prince Falin stepped forward. “I am Falin. This is Aroth," he said gesturing towards him and this is the blacksmith of Noranoth, Horzoth.
Rotan inclined her head as the names were spoken.
“Will you join us” said Falin.
“Yes I think I will.”
“Do you have a horse”
“I will fetch him.” she returned a minute later leading a fine black stallion.
“Will you teach me magic” burst out Falin.
“Perhaps your majesty perhaps.
“Let’s move Falin”
They mounted there horses and rode towards the forest. When night fell they dismounted and made camp.
“Your majesty... began Rotan.
“Please, Falin.”
“Falin you asked for tutoring in the art of magic, it will begin now. This knife is a knife made for cutting wands please cut one each of oak, olive, holly, hazel, birch, and yew we need to find the one that suits you and your companions if they wish to study the art of magic as well.
“I believe it would come in handy.” said Aroth
“As do I.” agreed Horzoth.
“Then we will begin after you cut the wands.”
They returned a short while later carrying a bundle of sticks.
“Now we must whittle the sticks into the shape of a wand and attach the appropriate gemstone on the end of it.
“How do we find gems in this place” muttered Aroth.
“I just so happen to have a small collection” said Rotan in a conversational tone.
“Well how do we attach them.” asked Horzoth.
“You forget I am a wizard.” said Rotan.
“Well lets make the wands”
“A great idea.”
“All right.” said Falin.
“The emerald goes on the olive wand the topaz goes on the oak wand the ruby on the birch the diamond on the yew the opal on the hazel and the sapphire on the holly. Now I will tap it and some little wooden prongs will grow to hold the gem in place.” said Rotan.
“Ok but the ones that don’t suit us, what do we do with the rest of the wands.” inquired Falin.
“Sell them” said Rotan “you could use the money anyway.”
“All right”
Falin ended up with the birch Aroth with the oak and Horzoth with the yew.
“All right lets all get some shuteye” said Falin.
“Right with you Faaliiiin” said aroth with a yawn.”
“Good night.” they all said in unison.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Austen began this story last year in 5th grade and has fine-tuned it to get it to where it is now. He has also written "The War of the Fangs" and "Dragons of the World" a kind of Naturalist book about dragons.

INTERVIEW SECTION.
G: What would you like to do next with this book?
A: I would like to make it a bit longer. I've been disappointed with other books when they end too soon.
G: Who is your favorite character?
A: At first I really liked Horzoth. Now its Falin. But, who knows, I may end up really liking Aroth.
G: Do you think they will all live to the end?
A: I am almost sure at least two of them will end up living.
G: Do you know who will die?
A: I am not sure yet.
G: Have you always like writing?
A: At first I really didn't like writing at all. Now I like to write books, but reports are still kind of dull.
G: When did you first start to like to write?
A: I first started to plan this book in about 4th grade. So about then.
G: Do you know what is going to happen next in the story?
A: I know what is going to happen in some of the story. But not all of it.
G: Can you give us a teaser?
A: Well, right now they are going to be headed to a dwarfan military island for reinforcements for the upcoming war.
G: Cool!
G: Who is the war against?
A: The goblins. You should know that if you read the book!
G: What gives you the inspiration for the story?
A: Well after I read Eragon, I wanted to write a similar story. Also, I am writing a story called "War of the Fangs" about a game my friends and I sometimes play at recess at school.
G: Austen, we love your story and are looking forward to finding out what happens next!

Finally got a deer on film

2008-06-14T08:03:00.003-04:00

Max, our 3 year old, 120+ lb. labrador retriever has been under the weather for the last few days, with a mild heat rash on his "belly". Since he has been laying low, the wildlife in our woods have felt free to come closer to the house and our yard. Max usually barks like crazy whenever a deer, fox, coyote, bear or anything else comes close to the yard. We like that about him! But since he has spent the last 2 days lying on the cement basement floor to keep cool, we have had many 4-legged visitors. I finally got pictures of one of the deer that lives in our woods.

Austen Graduates from 6th Grade

2008-06-13T19:26:00.006-04:00

Austen graduated from 6th grade at Randolph Elementary School on Thursday. Here's a picture of his entire 6th grade class. Next year its off to Randolph Union Junior High School, where the Randolph kids will join forces with much smaller groups from Braintree and Brookfield.
Principal Stewart MC'd the ceremony.
Austen had 7 good years at RES ---- making wonderful friends and growing and learning so much. Its remarkable to look back at how much has changed for Austen since he started kindergarten at RES 7 years ago.
Congratulations, Austen! You did a great job!
We are looking for more great things from you in the future!
Here's the crew on the first day of school 2006. Austen was entering 5th grade, Peter going into 3rd grade. Cora's first day of kindergarten. Ella was having her first day of pre-school.

A's win in playoffs!

2008-06-12T06:34:00.005-04:00

The A's had their first playoff game tonight. It was a very exciting experience for the kids. The Little Leauge brought out all the bells and whistles for the playoffs. Before the game started every player was introduced by name and lined up on the field. The National Anthem was played over the PA system.The A's were seeded fifth and played the Mets who had beaten them earlier in the season. Peter started in Left field. This game was a great showcase to demonstrate how much the kids have improved over the season. It was a very well played defensive game with great pitching. The A's pitcher was Tyler who pitched the whole game --- I've never seen that in LL. He pitched so well he didn't exceed his max pitch count even while pitching all 6 innings. Peter made a nice fielding play in LF, getting the ball into 2nd base quickly and knocked in a run with a grounder.
The final score was 3-2! The A's play again on Saturday against another first round winner. Either the Yankees or Dodgers.

The kids played great and were PSYCHED after the game!Meanwhile, in Barnard at Silver Lake, Austen camped out with the other graduating 6th graders. I joined him for a stormy night after the game was over! Graduation tomorrow for Austen! What a busy week!

Heather and Ella started TKD!!!!!

2008-06-01T18:18:00.005-04:00

Austen, Peter and I have been practicing TKD with the Randolph Blue Wave TKD for more than 2 years now. Cora started less than a year ago and goes to one class per week. Its been a great thing for our family. We've been to Summer TKD camp, Winter TKD camp, training sessions at Dartmouth College, training with GrandMaster Tae Sung Lee, Juniors tournaments, tested for our yellow belts in Burlington and have risen to 3rd Gup --- Blue belts with Red Stripes. At our next quarterly testing we'll test for our red belts, which is just one belt level below BLACK BELT.
But now we reached a very exciting milestone! Ella turned 5 and joined our school. A week later, Heather joined too!
Look for a posting in a week or so with Heather and Ella in their new TKD uniforms!
These pictures are from Heather's second class and Ella's third. Here's Ella getting ready to spar with Britney, who is only 4.

River Fun

2008-06-01T18:12:00.004-04:00

Last weekend was gorgeous and we all got to spend a couple of hours playing at the river.
Its hard to say who had the most fun. Everyone had a blast, but Max, our dog may have been the happiest to be at the river!
The water was COLD, but that didn't stop us from swimming.
We can't wait til the water warms up a little --- so we can stay in the water longer.

Memorial Day Parade

2008-05-26T16:07:00.005-04:00

Today was the annual Memorial Day Parade in Randolph. We almost didn't go because Austen forgot his saxaphone at school. But, with some last minute running around and help from our friend Mardee, we got the sax in time and went to the parade. It was a gorgeous day and we watched the parade on Main Street. The band sounded great! I believe this song is called "Windward".

Austen marched with the combined school bands from Randolph, Brookfield and Braintree. If you look closely, you can see several members of Peter's baseball team playing in the band with Austen --- Branden on drums, Rhys on sax, Vaughn on drums, and Cole (in Cub Scout uniform) playing saxaphone too.
It was a great day for a parade. Its a VERY small one -- just the elementary and High School Bands, cub scouts, boy scouts, and girl scouts and a handful of Veterans.
The parade goes up Main Street and then to the Veterans Cemetery.

Every year there is a speaker at the Cemetery. Last year's was Rick LaPerle, a local dad, who has kids in school with ours and who is a full-time soldier. His speech was very moving as he told about a typical day in the life of a soldier in Iraq. This year's speaker was our US Representative in Congress, Peter Welch. he gave a very nice speech about how we all are the beneficiaries of the willingness to serve when called of our Veterans. I was glad that we all were able to hear it.

Little League Baseball Season

2008-05-25T17:02:00.004-04:00

Its been a while since my last blog post. The biggest reason is Little League. And we couldn't be happier about it! Peter finally was allowed to play and its been one of the greatest things we've been involved in as family -- and boy are we ever surprised. It started off rough. In fact, it almost didn't start at all!
You see, we missed the "tryouts" (Its really a safety check to make sure kids can protect themselves in the field and at the plate). We just didn't know the tryouts were happening until after the fact. I was encouraged by the VP of our local little league to call the President so Peter could join. He told me that practices and games were still two weeks away and there were only 11 kids on each of the 5 teams, with space for 15 on each. So 20 open spots - and at least one kid who really really wanted to play! Heather blogged about this on her Twin Birch Bath and Body blog.

Well I called the President and was told flat out ---- NO! I really thought she must be joking. But No, she said, rules are rules and besides what if Peter was really good and messed up the competitive balance of the teams. And besides that, what if some kid moved to town and wanted to join a team in June? That wouldn't be fair, now would it, she said. Well after many calls by me and a lot of hard work by the Little League VP, a Board meeting was held. Lo and behold, the President and her husband were the only ones to vote against holding a new tryout session. Peter was going to get to play!!! The Board instructed the President to advertise and hold a new tryout session for anyone that wanted to join. She didn't do it, but with calls by me every day, Peter was given a chance to tryout. After all the delays and foot dragging, Peter missed a bunch of practices, but finally got to play in his first game.
You couldn't ask for a better group of kids and coaches, parents and really almost everyone involved in the Little League. Our whole family goes down to watch Peter play and has a great time. Austen is interested in baseball now too, and may play next year. We've been practicing at home, and Peter has been singled out by his coach for his hustle and nice catches. He even scored a run in their win against the Yankees. More pictures here of his first game against the Dodgers.
And more pictures here.

Twin Birch Etsy Site

2008-04-13T16:38:00.006-04:00

Heather has been called the "Queen of the Bubble Lab." She has been formulating and perfecting new creations like this All Natural PAMPLEMOUSSE Soap featuring SHEA BUTTER, BUGGY CUTE PINK PRINCESS SET and BIRCH BARK DOG SHAMPOO. She is gearing up for the Annual Handmade Soap Convention which is being held in Burlington, Vermont this year as well as various craft fairs and her regular online and local customers. Check out her Etsy website and buy something.

Gymnastics Birthday Party

2008-04-13T14:26:00.004-04:00

Cora was invited to her friend Olivia's 7th birthday party. That's Olivia on the rings.
Cora had a great time and now wants to take gymnastics classes like her friends Olivia and Zuzu.
The kids all got to run around the gym, taking turns on the gymnastics equipment, jumping and vaulting and somersaulting everywhere.Then they got to take turns hitting the pinata.
The candy came out
Cora got a lot of good stuff to take home and share with her siblings.
Olivia got to open her presents.

And everyone had cake and ice cream.
YEAH! we all had a great time!

Africa Night and 5/6 Band Concert

2008-04-12T19:47:00.007-04:00

Austen plays saxaphone in the Randolph/Braintree/Brookfield 5/6 band. The group played their annual concert at Randolph Union High School, with the Elementary School Chorus.

Here's the best shot I have of the whole group. They played 3 songs before turning it over to the Chorus. The kids did a great job. Everyone loved the music.

Ella loved dancing to the music in her chair. She wants to play the drums when she is old enough to play in the band.

The next night, Peter had his "Africa Night" presentation with his 3rd and 4th grade classmates. This presentation was quite a spectacle, with a 4-person African drum group, and

. . . each classroom demonstrating a different dance presentation in costume.

Here's Peter doing his dance with Connor.

Later, each classroom group had a skit. Peter played Ananzi the spider. Here he is in action.

Austen's Freedom Trail Field Trip

2008-04-06T13:01:00.013-04:00

Randolph Elementary School had their bi-annual 5th and 6th grade field trip to Boston to walk part of the Freedom Trail.

I chaperoned a small group of Austen's classmates and we brought along the whole family to go with the group. I am sure there are many schools out there that wouldn't be so flexible. Luckily for us, Randolph Elementary was very flexible.

Its a big responsibility for the teachers to take on. Upwards of 100 5th and 6th graders from Randolph, Vermont, let loose on the busy streets of Boston. Our town used to have one traffic light, but the town eliminated it because it caused too much congestion. No we have none. We have a police force that goes home at 11PM most nights and we have no parking meters.

Many of the kids have never been to a real city --- I'm not counting Burlington, Barre or West Leb. The teachers in charge did a great job. They planned a great itnerary, and then let the kids and the chaperones experience the trip at their own pace.

Even though it poured rain nearly all day, everyone had a wonderful time and had a great learning experience. The day started with a 6AM departure from Randolph Elementary. We drove through a snow storm which turned over into rain near Concord, NH.

After viewing a movie at the visitor center, we set off on foot from the Bunker Hill Pavillion in a drizzle. We followed the Freedom Trail, which is a path through Boston from historic site to historic site. Although I had already seen most of the sites, since I grew up in Andover, MA, the trip was different than any I had taken before on my own. It is amazing what a difference it makes to have a group of kids with you!

We walked past Copia, the restaurant in Charlestown that I took Heather and her siblings to for Heather's 40th birthday party. Its closed now. BUMMER!

Then we walked across the Charlestown Bridge into Boston. The rain picked up and we got soaked.

Unfortunately, due to a mix-up on timing, we had to walk right past Copp's Hill Burying ground. We waited in line to get a tour of The Old North Church, but had to hurry away to make it to Paul Revere's House, and never made it into the Church.

The Revere House tour was very interesting and well worth the rainy wait.

We trudged from the North End past great restaurant after great restaurant, through the outdoor Produce Market. Next stop the Old South Meeting House, which was a major highlight of the day.

The kids had each taken on the role of a famous or important Patriot or Loyalist of the Revolutionary era.

Each student had to take part in a mock debate, reciting lines they had learned to demonstrate each side's case.

Austen played the role of Benjamin Edes, publisher of the Boston Gazette.

The kids did a great job, thanks in part to the great moderator who led the debate and prompted the kids along the way.

After a bag lunch at Faneuil Hall, and a short walk, we headed out on a ferry ride back to Charlestown and the Navy Yard. Some of the kids had never been on a boat of any kind, which was truly amazing to me.

It was a great experience for all the kids.

We landed at the Charlestown Navy yard. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go on the USS Constitution. So many great sites to see!!

After returning to the Pavillion with our group, we separated from Austen's classmates and walked over the Bunker Hill Monument. This was especially cool for me because I had never been there before.

We walked all 294 steps to the top. After getting out of Boston, we headed to our friend Laurel's house in Andover. Strangely enough, Heather first met Laurel about 25 years ago on an Andover High School field trip to Boston and Bunker Hill Monument! Click here for a few more details.

Easter Weekend

2008-03-23T21:04:00.014-04:00

The kids have been so sick this February and March that it was a welcome relief that everyone was FINALLY healthy for Easter weekend. Unfortunately, our Weightman cousins WERE sick. That combined with a minor office disaster on Friday morning changed our plans for a Friday noon beginning to our Easter weekend.
LUCKILY, the Weightmans were recovered enough for a Saturday morning meet-up along with Heather's brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Becky. The kids (and Heather and I) were psyched to see them all, even if it was just a short visit.
On Saturday afternoon, we met up with the Colden cousins and my parents for Easter egg dyeing which has become a much looked forward to tradition. Here are a few of the "masterpieces".

A Fun Easter Egg Treasure Hunt set up by my parents followed the dyeing with Austen and Peter running from here to there and back again to get all the clues. They had a great time!

Even with all the fun on Saturday, Easter Brunch is a definite highlight. Touted as the "Best Brunch in Boston", I can't argue with that description. Everyone enjoys sampling morsels of every kind --- from traditional breakfast items and Eggs Benedict to Steamship Round Roast Beef, lamb, pork, chicken dishes, sushi, dessert items and eveything else one could dream of.
The kids (and Grandpapa) got to have their faces painted. This year's theme was Easter bunnies!!
Sarah demonstrates the pink chocolate dipping fountain.

THANKS FOR A FUN WEEKEND GRANDPAPA AND GRANDMOMMY!

Red Stripes!!!!

2008-03-20T21:52:00.015-04:00

PROUD, PROUD, PROUD!!!We had our Quarterly testing tonight. Austen, Peter and I were testing for our 3rd Gup (Red Stripe) ranking. We all passed! YEAH! Quarterly testings are very exciting because its your chance to show the Masters and your fellow students how far you have progressed since the last testing. Click here to see the whole photo album. Students are brought up in groups by rank. Each rank has to run through their testing regimen in front of the class. As you progress through the belt ranks you are required to learn new hand and kicking techniques, sparring techniques, new warm-up exercises (kibbons) and Poomse, as well as verbal definitions. Poomse is choreographed series of movements that are to be followed exactly. It gets more and more complicated as you progress. Also, beginning with blue belt, adults learn Ho Shin Sool (self defense techniques).

We always take a group shot after Quarterly testing. Austen, Peter, Connor and I earned our red stripes. Ramsey, Amy and Moriah earned blue belts. Libby earned her blue stripe. PJ and John earned green belts. Seth earned green stripe and Molly earned yellow stripe!

At our next class, we will get our new goal sheets for 2nd Gup rank (full red belt). We will also get our marked up goal sheets which our Masters used to grade our testing performance. This testing was especially exciting for us because it was our last testing that we are allowed to do in our home gym. For our red belt test, we will need to test at any other Blue Wave gym, such as Burlington or Bradford. Black belt testing is only done twice a year at Winter Camp and Summer Camp.
Its a tradition in Blue Wave that any student with red on their belt --- Red Belt or Red Stripe has to do all the grunt work for the Black belts and has to do push-ups as much as possible. If any student has to do push-ups, any students with red on their belt have to do push-ups too.
Here is Austen, Connor and Peter doing free kicking.

Austen and Peter sparring and Gerry sparring with Mike. Peter is in the Blue (chung) Ho-gu (chest protector) and Austen is in Red (Hung). I am wearing blue and so is Mike in our sparring match.

Peter's 10th Birthday Party

2008-03-10T20:21:00.004-04:00

We finally were able to organize for Peter's 10th birthday party this weekend. His birthday was February 25th. Even though we are still semi-reeling from the Patriots Super Bowl loss, Peter still wanted to invite some friends over to play Snow Football. Heather made a Tom Brady cake for the occasion.

Peter insisted on tackle football. Even though it was raining the boys and girl stayed outside playing ball for over an hour. They were soaked when they came in.
After Peter blew out his candles it was time to eat a little cake and ice cream.. . . and open some presents!
We have been having a lot of fun lately playing DDR (Dance Dance Revolution). Its a game where you dance along on a pad connected to your TV. You get points for stepping on the right pad on the beat. Its kind of like karaoke dancing. This was a lot of fun and everyone took 2 turns.
Ella gets a lot of help when she dances.
Cora passed her level!

Here's Cora dancing her song. Go Cora!!

Ella is a rock star. Here she is dancing to Wayward Son by Kansas!

Grand Master Lee comes to Randolph do-jang

2008-03-07T08:11:00.008-05:00

Last night was very exciting and a special treat for us Tallmans and for the rest of the Randolph Blue Wave TKD students and instructors. Grand Master Tae Sung Lee paid a visit to our gym and led our work-out.

And a strenuous work-out it was! It was a real honor to be instructed by Grand Master Lee and we are thankful for the opportunity. This is actually the second time Austen and Peter and I trained with Grand Master Lee. Last year we traveled to the Hanover, NH gym to train with him with a much larger group. This time, Cora trained with us all too!

It was a hard work-out but a lot of fun too. Cora's friend Britney just started taking classes.

The do-jang was full tonight even with several regular students not attending. In addition to Grand Master Lee, the President of Blue Wave TKD, Master White joined, as did former Randolph students, Mr. Michael Wood and Mr. Matt Wood, who now train at the Hanover, NH gym.

After a strenuous aerobic warm-up session led by Master White, Grand Master Lee took over and led us through our basic drills. Then a considerable amount of time was spent on Kibbon warm up exercises and Poomse. Grand Master Lee would walk around the room correcting any major or minor errors he saw.
Austen and I were lucky in that he seemed to station himself right next to us, so we got the benefit of his watchful eyes and constructive criticism and encouragement.

After that we worked with kicking pads and 4-step exercises. Working-out with Grand Master Lee is exciting but also a little stressful! Everyone in the gym, including our instructors want to put their best foot forward and impress him with what we have learned, but because Grand Master Lee is Korean and English is a second language, he can sometimes be very difficult to understand!

Also, even though Blue Wave TKD is united in their teaching, each gym stresses different things and presents them with different nuances. Wanting to impress Grand Master Lee and not being able to understand what he is telling you can be STRESSFUL! Just ask Austen, he was singled out and encouraged to do something by Grand Master Lee during basics instruction, but he (and the rest of us) just weren't sure exactly what he was being told to do!! It turned out Grand Master Lee was trying to impress upon us the importance of kyupping from the belly and not the mouth. For non-TKD-ers, kyupping is the process of expelling air while executing the movement. Its the loud noise a student makes when kicking, punching or blocking.

Heather's Etsy site and blog

2008-02-19T20:56:00.005-05:00

Anyone who hasn't seen it, should definitely check out Heather's new blog and her etsy web site. She has some great products for sale! Buy something!!!

Heavy rain on top of deep snow = crushed roof!

2008-02-19T16:53:00.010-05:00

This is what our house looked like before . . . . Well, its a picture from 3 years ago.

This is what it looked like after the rain fell on top of the deep snow . . . .

Apparently the collar beams weren't attached very strongly to the rafters. When the snow load got too heavy it pulled the rafters apart and KABOOM! Luckily our tenants' car wasn't parked in the garage and we were able to save most of their belongings. Nothing major lost.

Our friend Alex came by with his Bobcat backhoe and with 3 hours work, the two of us cleared away the mess and piled the debris in a corner. Next step is the dumpster. Its amazing how big the garage seemed and how little debris there is left over.

You can see the whole photo album at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tallmanlaw/CrushedGarage

Now the neighbors across the street have a view across our yard.

The heavy rain did make for fun body sledding in our back yard!

Cora's Birthday Party

2008-02-18T21:30:00.004-05:00

Cora turned 7 on February 13th. We had a very nice birthday party for her with several friends on Saturday morning.

Cora was so excited to see her friends!

Heather helped all the girls make a bar of soap in the bubble lab.

Everyone got to pick a fragrance and a shape for their soap.

Austen and Peter helped the girls pick a scent. Not everyone had the same favorites!

Question of the day: Who has a loose tooth?!

Cora's concert

2008-02-17T15:54:00.008-05:00

Cora's first grade had their concert. Cora was sick all week, but pulled it together in time for the show. She and all her classmates did a great job.

Cora is in the middle, front row, wearing the red sweater.

Darts Party

2008-02-17T09:41:00.006-05:00

We had a Sushi party that evolved into a darts party. Thanks to Heather and the kids for the cool dart board that they gave to me for Christmas!

Ronda

Mardee

Heather

The Gallery

ZuZu took over for Heather and shot a great game

Kirk and Amy

Ben

Asa congratulates Ben on a nice shot!

Gerry

Jennifer and Heather posing

Gerry and Josh

Ronda, Jennifer and Heather

Something funny happened . . .

Peter and Ronda --- notice the "white only" food!

Winter Fun

2008-02-17T08:59:00.003-05:00

I pulled out these pictures to post to remind myself of the fun we have had playing in the snow. This seems like the snowiest winter in years. I find myself wishing for the spring to come. So these pictures are a reminder to myself of the fun things we have done playing in the winter!

Crazy Hair Day

2008-02-17T08:44:00.002-05:00

Peter and Cora had fun making themselves look CRAZY for Randolph Elementary's annual "Crazy hair Day" when the kids and staff make their hair look funny!

Ella's Christmas concert

2008-02-15T15:26:00.003-05:00

Ella had her last Christmas concert with her Montessori school group! Next year she will be moving on to kindergarten. Every year Montessori kids go to the Joslyn house in Randolph and perform fun Christmas songs and share cookies and punch with the Joslyn residents.

Everyone loves the home-made cookies.

Here is Ella and friends singing "Rudolph"