Saturday was the big assembly day for Big Boy #1's Eagle project. He began this whole process back in May and it was awesome (and a huge relief!) to finally see those benches come to fruition.
BB#1 spent quite a bit of time preparing for the big day. He pre-cut all the pieces, printed out pictures and wrote directions for what needed to be done for each step.
When BB#1 first sent out the email asking people to come help, the first seven or eight responses were no. A lot of people were out of town for fall break, and there were several other events going on that day. I started to really panic, thinking no one would come out - the terrible scenario for someone trying to show leadership, with no one to actually
lead. I called Vern and my sister Ginger all stressed out and they both offered to come help. What a relief! Although turn out ended up far exceeding expectations, it was such a comfort to know that they had our back.
Our worries about low turn out were unfounded. We actually had 23 people come help! Yea!
Our scout troop doesn't have many boys BB#1s age, but there are several boys BB#2s age, and many of those kids came out to support the project.
Look how everyone is working! BB#1 really did a great job of organizing all the workers.
Of course my dad was the hero of the day, really of the whole thing. My dad worked with BB#1 from the very beginning, helping him design the project, price out supplies, deal with logistics and everything in between. He was the on site construction engineer and his knowledge and expertise were beyond helpful. (It's like the Pine Wood Derby on steroids!)
Here is Diamond working with our friend Sean. Sean served in scouting for the bulk of the last two years, encouraging and developing BB#1. There are very few people who I think of as highly as Sean. I have seen how BB#1 just blossomed under his supervision. When I was feeling overwhelmed and burned out with all the responsibilities our family has been asked to bear, thinking of the whole thing as a swap for my kid to spend time with Sean made it all feel worthwhile.
BB#1's new friend also joined in and helped out. Turns out this kid is pretty high quality. He worked hard, found ways to improve the project and was kind and well mannered throughout. I will say that BB#1 knows how to pick outstanding people for friends. (A true answer to my prayers.)
Here is Diamond, my dad, and our friend and home teacher Dave. Another fabulous man. Dave has been a great presence in our home and is an example to our family of service and hard work. I am so blessed to have all these amazing people as a force for good in the life of my son.
BB#1 planned the assembly to be about three hours, figuring we would finish up what didn't get done after everyone left. However, with such a great turn out and so many hard workers, all six benches were finished up in just over two hours. It was a huge success!
Once everything was totally completed we surprised BB#1 with a little commemorative plaque to put on one of the benches. He was pretty jazzed about it.
Great job kid!
