Be Prepared

I have two kids.

One is very outgoing.  My son has never met a stranger and makes friends wherever he goes.  I swear he knows every child that goes to his elementary school and all the staff members as well.  He performed on stage in front of 8000+ people in a giant hockey arena and didn’t blink an eye.  He will either be a movie star or President.  Maybe both.

Future Big Deal

One is not.   My daughter has always been more of the shy and quiet type.  She is blossoming more as she gets older and high school has brought her out of her shell quite a bit, but she is still uncomfortable speaking in public and doing certain things on her own.

My Homebody

So, a few years ago when I started asking my son what sports he wanted to play or activities he wanted to do, I was surprised by the resistance I got from him.  We signed him up for soccer and T-ball and really didn’t ask him, we just took him and he did it.  But as he has gotten a bit older I decided I would let him choose what he wanted to do.  He said he wanted to try wrestling and has been doing that for a couple of years now and does enjoy it, but I can’t get him interested in a single other thing.  Except for singing.  There is no stopping the performer in him.

I asked about baseball and basketball and football and all the sports offered in our district and always got a firm “no” from him.  I asked about Boy Scouts last year and got yet another “no.”  I have a feeling that his reluctance to participate in an activity was based on his love of video games.  He is a gamer for sure and can literally spend an entire day killing off Brutes in Halo.

The Master Chief Kicks Ass

Or finishing one more level in Lego Batman

Just One More Level Mom!

Then.  We went to our local Memorial Day parade this year and he discovered that he knew ALL of the boys marching in the parade from his schools troop (or pack or whatever it is called, I’m still learning).  When it came time this year and I asked about Boy  Scouts, he said yes.  He is now an official scout.  Cub to be exact.  There has been one meeting and it was mostly informational for the parents.  He has his first activity this weekend (something called a Shoot-O-Ree?) and his first meeting with his smaller group (pack? den? no clue.) on Thursday.  He is very excited and couldn’t wait to get his uniform.  He’s reading his handbook and memorizing his motto (“Do Your Best”) and oath (stuff about God and Country) and what not.

But, every time I even think the words “Boy Scouts” in my brain I immediately go to their motto, which is “Be Prepared” and this takes me to this:

Which is ridiculous and hysterical but possibly one of my favorite animated movie moments ever.  Because you know, you can never be too prepared.