Blue & Gold Scout Ceremony...

Sunday, was the the boy's Blue & Gold Cub Scout Ceremony. This was Remi's 2nd year to do Cub Scouts and Roen's 1st year.

I think Roen really enjoyed getting to partake in all the Cub Scout activities this year and Remi continues to love Cub Scouts. The highlights of the year were the Rocket Launch, Turkey Shoot and the Pinewood Derby Races. Getting to do all this with your friends is just icing on the cake!



























I cannot believe another year of Scouts has come and gone. I am forever grateful for the activities in which the boys- especially Remi- have had the opportunity to be involved with due to Cub Scouts. As we take a break from Cub Scouts, the boys have several new ventures coming up. They just started gymnastics (which they love and ask why they can't go everyday) and will be starting piano lessons soon. These boys keep us busy, but I am certain, these are the very best days!!!

Pinewood Derby 2018

Last Sunday, was the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. This is by far the very best event of the year. Dads and sons spend many afternoons cutting, sanding, painting, hoping to create a winning car. On race day, everyone hovers around the track, excitement filling the air, every boy hoping they get the win!

This year, there were 46 cars. Every car races 4 times (once in each lane), so there were 46 heats. The lowest time is dropped and the other three times are averaged to get the car's final speed. Before every single race, the crowd counts down from 5 and as the cars reach the finish line, the boys erupt in shouts and fist pumps. They root for their friends, they pat each other on the back, they feel the sense of pride that only comes after lots of hard work pays off. Watching the boys is as much fun as watching the races for me!

Roen came out in 1st place in his age group and Remi came out in 2nd. Both boys received a trophy and were over the moon excited!!

Roen told me, "Momma, this is my very first trophy" and then proudly smiled at his accomplishment!

This was such a good day...

Knot Tying...

Last week, at Remi's Cub Scout meeting, the boys learned how to tie square knots.

Micah said Remi was the only boy who not only figured it our by himself, but also figured out an alternative way to tie a square knot. I love that at these little moments, Remi gets a chance to shine...

Turkey Shoot 2017...

Although this isn't the only reason we do Cub Scouts, it is one of the very best parts.

Every year, our neighboring town, hosts the Turkey Shoot. There is really no turkey hunting taking place, but the boys get to participate in all kinds of hunting related activities. They learned gun safety, how to load BB guns, they had slingshot and archery competitions, they built cross-bows, they practiced target shooting and all of this while doing it with the daddies, friends and wearing camo.... in my neck of the woods, this is every little boy's dream!


Learning about different animals from the game warden and checking out their skins














Learning how to load BBs


Loading his BB gun all by hisself!











I just love seeing all these sweet boys outside in the sunshine, going back to basics of what it truly means to be a boy, spending time with their dads... there is just not enough of this these days! I am a bit old fashioned- I think we all know that- but I truly believe these are skills boys were meant to learn!

Rocket Launch 2017...

Last Week, the boys participated in the Cub Scout Rocket Launch.

Each scout made a rocket from a kit and then everyone met together at a big field and the scouts got to detonate their rockets. They flew so high in the air, that you could barely see them and then as the rockets came back down herds of excited little boys chased them down!

Roen set his rocket off once and then chased rockets and played on the hay bails with his buddies.

After Remi set his rocket off, he went back time after time after time to the reloading station to set his rocket of again. He was launching his rocket until we were literally walking to the car. He was in heaven! He loved that he got to use the activator to launch all by himself and on the way home, he was already brainstorming on how he could recreate a launch system at home.

And this smile right here- well, this is Remi in in happiest of happys...









Here they are receiving their first badges for the year. This was Roen's very first badge and Micah was the one that got to give it to him...

First Flag Raising...

Friday night was our first football game of the season. Which meant it was the first flag raising for the Cub Scouts. This was Roen's very first time to participate and I think he was pretty excited!

Roen has such an advantage because almost always he has Remi by his side and Remi has done it before him. I remember Remi being so serious about his first flag raising and having a sense of importance. Roen just ran around with all his scout buddies smiling and being silly!

But when the time came to watch the older scouts raise the flag he put his hand up to his forehead respectfully and while I stood behind him watching, he just seemed so tiny.

My little ball of sunshine, following in his big brother's footsteps, who has not a care in the world and who often makes me wonder if God put him on Earth to spread happiness. As much as he needs his big brother to follow behind, I think he helps his big brother take life a little less serious.


Roen is on the far right and Remi is 5th from the right



When big brother punches little brother while I am trying to take a picture...

My Little Wolf Cub...

Yesterday evening, Remi had his first Cub Scout meeting as a Wolf. In this particular get together, they talked all about different coins and made a scale. Among the many things that peak Remi's interest, coins are right up at the top. In his little jar collections, he has one jar specifically for foreign money. He was very excited to take this to show all his friends.



Working very hard on his scale...



Roen was very upset that he doesn't get to join the fun quite yet. I'm not sure if he can make it 'til Fall!

Blue & Gold Banquet...

Last night, was Remi's Cub Scout Banquet. This was a ceremony celebrating all the hard work he has put in this year leaning new things, bettering his character and working hard at earning his badges.

He was so proud of his new badges, and immediatley took off his belt and added them on. He recieved his Tiger patch showing that he is now working toward earning his Wolf badge. It was really neat to see the older Cubs being initiated into Boy Scouts... both boys watched wide-eyed as they got their stripes painted on. I think Roen can hardly wait until next year when he can join the fun!

Each boy pinned their mothers with the pin they recieved their badge in. This was really sweet and a total surprise to me! At the very end, this is the prayer they said over the Scouts...

Look down upon my son, Dear Lord.
This smiling cub of mine.
Please take his hand along the way
So he may never stray.
Bless my son tonight, Dear Lord,
And help him walk with thee.
Give him comfort, warmth, and love:
He's all the world to me.
Bless his daily efforts,
And make him strong and true:
For life's a heavy burden.
And we're all in need of you.

This is called the Cub Scouts Parent Prayer and I had to fight back tears as they said it last night. In a world filled with "moments of silence" praying in the school cafeteria, while being surrounded by peers, is just pure goodness.

After the ceremony was over, and we had the boys setteled in bed, Micah told Remi he loved him and how proud of him he was. Remi said...

"I love you and I'm proud of myself too. Very proud."

I know some of you don't know Remi personally, but this is a big deal for this little boy. He is not one to be proud of himself often. He is a perfectionist and is only truly proud of himself when he feels he has really mastered something. He tends to be very hard on himself and has extremely high expectations of the things does.

Remi has done a lot of growing up over the past year, and I can't help but feel much of this is due to Cub Scouts. These boys are highly encouraged to rise above, no matter the situation and I feel like I have watched Remi's little character transform. His stubborness has softened into "Yes, Sirs and Yes, Mam'ams", his sweet little heart has learned how good it feels to serve others (many days, he wakes up and makes not only his bed, but his little brother's bed too) and he has gained the confidence to make good decisions, even when others around him may be making bad ones.

I could not be any prouder of this sweet little boy...