Proud Mama

Last night we went to Andy's Arrow of Light ceremony.  Basically, it's like a graduation ceremony when Cub Scouts move up to Boy Scouts.  You are finishing your adventure with the Cub Scout pack and they are sending you off on a new journey with a Boy Scout troop.  Sorry if I butchered that, Dad, I'm sure you could explain it much better.

The Scouts are known for their grand ceremonies, at least that's what I remember from being dragged to countless events (including some delicious pancake dinners) when I was a kid and my brothers were in Scouts.  Last night was no exception.  This older, Grizzly Adams-type guy came in, named "Bear", and told them stories about what they had done and what they would do moving forward.  It was dark and dramatic and the boys were all into it.  Then he picked one boy out of the 15 or so that were up on stage to take a collective "quiz" for the rest of the boys.  He picked Andy, and Andy did great.  A lot of people thought that it was planned or he had coached Andy ahead of time, but it was all spur of the moment and we didn't know anything about it.

Most of Andy's den mates are going to a different troop than he is, but he and Charlie researched the possibilities and visited a couple of the troops (would you expect anything less from Charlie?) and we think he made the best decision for him, even if it means we have to meet all new people.  It's all going to work out fine.

After the ceremony I talked to Bear and he told me that he picked Andy because he was the kid up there who seemed the most focused and attentive and confident.  That doesn't surprise me, but I'm glad that other people can see it besides me.  He also was amazingly polite and made us look pretty good on stage like we were doing all the right things with him.  I guess we have everybody snowed.  Regardless we're so proud of our  little boy who is quickly turning into a man.

Then this morning Charlie and I went to school to see Sarah give a presentation on a famous American.  Hers was on Amelia Earhart.  The presentation was only about 30 second long, but she had a little iPad presentation that went along with it and it really is amazing what they are teaching these kids.  In a few years she will know so much more than I do about technology.  It already makes me feel old.  We stayed for a bit and saw some of the other presentations and then Charlie went to help out Andy with a project he is working on in math.

All in all, a good 24 hours.  My kids are growing up.  I know that, but sometimes you need things like this to remind you just how quickly it's happening.


Andy with his arrow.

Sarah as Amelia Earhart.