Love a "man" in uniform....

.....and here's my "man"....my big boy.

He's getting ready for his first Cub Scout meeting. He's entering as a Bear. Over the course of the year he will earn his Bear badge. First he has to earn the BobCat badge. This is the Promise, how to be a cub scout, etc. What every good Cub Scout should know.

(ok, for those of you who know I have a new fancy camera.....I just couldn't get it to focus on him in the short amount of time that he stood before the mirror. Got a very good in-focus shot of the back of his head. The boy has great hair !)

He is SO excited to be a Cub Scout. He's been asking to do this for over a year. This just may be his "thing". Very proud to wear his uniform and of all the badges. He really wants to get the pants that match. (Funny, cause he's never been concerned about matching much before).

The meetings are weekly in our neighborhood park, with about 8 other boys from his school. Many of whom he has known before or has been with in class. I think this could build some great friendships with boys that live close by. In our large school, rarely do the kids have the same classmates as the year before. Maybe 2 or 3.

He is the master popcorn seller. If you haven't heard from him yet....there's still time ! He has something that he wants to earn individually. Also about 1/3 of the money returns to the troop to help pay for the boys' achievement badges & the

activities.

What does he want to earn ?

A pocket knife !

(almost makes me feel faint to type this.)

I know that we'll work through it and he'll be able to handle it when he is ready. Many of my friends' children that live in Iowa (and other places) have already had their 8 and 9 year-olds out hunting. So a pocket knife.....

I have to think like a 9-year-old boy. OK....try as I may, I still can't figure out all the things that make boys tick, but this one.....I get !

I'm so proud of my boy. He wants to go above and beyond the "Faith" requirement for the Bear Badge and wants to earn his badge of Faith. How great to see my boy want to share and show his faith in God in all aspects of his life.

"I, Ben, promise to do my best.

To do my duty to God and my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack."