That picture right there? A newly-minted Boy Scout.
Nick had his Blue & Gold dinner this past weekend and officially crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.
In a three hour ceremony.
Which, luckily, was not quite as unbearable as that usually would be. It surprisingly went by pretty fast. Peppered with speeches, accomplishments, food, and DJ-spun tunes.
Midway through there was a slide show featuring pictures of the kids on various scouting adventures they have been through over the last few years.
And this Mom may or may not have teared up someway halfway through.
This Friday, he has his D.A.R.E. graduation.
And then in June, he graduates fifth grade and heads off to a new school in September.
Which pretty much guarantees that I’ll be a mess sometime towards the end of June.
This whole “growing up” stuff is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.
And I don’t think I’m ready. But I’m fairly certain I don’t get a choice in the matter.
(I also officially registered his sister for Kindergarten on Monday, so she and her little genes haven’t gotten the SLOW-THE-HECK-DOWN memo either).
Kids.
During the ceremony, and his career as a Cub Scout, he earned an assortment of pins, patches, and belt loops. Some of which will require some earnest bribing to get sewn onto his Boy Scout shirt. And since he joined this particular troop a little later than his counterparts, well, I couldn’t be more proud of him.
Tonight he’s at his first meeting at the new Boy Scout troop that he transitioned to. Which involves being dropped off. And guidance from the older Boy Scouts (it goes up to age 18) in the troop. And shooing the Moms away. It is very much an “old guard” only-boys-allowed type of troop, which has pros and cons. I’m hoping the scales tip mightily in the pros column, and his new journey is paved with pure awesomeness.
As it should be.
…