He's Been Working Really Hard!

Tanner is in the home stretch. In less than a month it will be his birthday and he will become a Blazer Scout. Right now Tanner is working really hard to finish earning 5 activity badges (he's already earned 15 out of 20) and his Arrow of Light. At the beginning of the month Tanner and I sat down with a calendar and planned out what he would do each day in order to reach his goal before his birthday.

Tanner decided a long time ago that he wanted to earn his Arrow of Light. Little did he know then that the Arrow of Light is the top award a Cub Scout can earn. Since it is the top award it involves a lot of work. You have to earn several other awards before you can receive your Arrow of Light. There have been many times Tanner has moaned and complained about how much he has to pass off. He has also wanted to quit. At these times we have reminded Tanner that earning this award is his choice and his goal - we are there to help, but we won't do it for him. Tanner has always decided to press on. I have had to resist the urge to "make" Tanner do his requirements. I know how much he would regret not achieving his goal. I also know what he has to accomplish and how much time he has to do it in. Chad reassures me that it will all work out. Since Tanner filled in his calendar he has been more set on achieving his goal. He knows his time is running short and he is more willing to press on. I am really proud of him for sticking with it!

One of the requirements he just finished he is really proud of. He had to make two non-wood projects. He decided to make a bag and a pillow. We got out the sewing machine and I taught Tanner how to sew. Tanner did an excellent job! He got a little discouraged when he veered off course, but a simple reminder that he could do it helped him get back on course.

Ever since Tanner finished his bag and pillow he has hardly been without them. He even brought his bag (with a heavy book and a waterbottle) on our family walk on Sunday and he carried it the whole time. He has been using his pillow at the breakfast table! It is fun to see him so excited about a project he has completed. Way to go Tanner!!