Glitter to Guns

Glitter to guns. Rainbows to camouflage. Makeup to war paint. The passions and interests of my three children runs the gamut, pushing me to be as flexible as Elastigirl. Add in the huge age spread and I have the best recipe for intensely interesting days.

Yesterday, Willa and I visited Lucas at his restaurant and he had time to sit and chat with us. We both had missed him so this was a special treat. During our chat, Lucas challenged me to write a post about airsoft. Not just airsoft guns, but his involvement with his team, events, taking Mason, and most of all, my perspective on it as a mom.

Challenge accepted!

Lucas was interested in all things military from a young age. Tank history, war history, facts, facts, facts, historical accuracy, weaponry. We had shelves full of visual dictionaries and infographic books.

Somewhere around middle school age (?) he got his first taste of shooting and has never looked back. Shooting evolved into joining a team, doing events together, MILSIM events (military simulations), accurate outfitting, serious war gaming. I mean, check this out!

What is Airsoft?

To clarify what exactly airsoft is, it is basically shooting tiny plastic balls at each other, BB guns on steroids. Protective gear is a must because those tiny balls will leave a mark! Anything left exposed is at risk of a nasty little injury. Read more about it here and here. This is definitely more than Ralphie’s official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!

So, how do I feel about it? And, how did I feel when he first started?

When he was young and we lived in LA, we were surrounded by parents that didn’t want their kids playing with toy guns or other “violent toys.” At preschool the boys were discouraged from using plastic dress-up zone hangers as swords. But, it never bothered me. It is natural to fight. Instinctual. Wrapping paper tube sword fights, cardboard box bunkers, pretending my crutches are guns (pew pew, pew pew) – it all happens at my house. As long as no one is getting hurt and it is fun for everyone, then game on!

To me, airsoft is an extension of that.

PRESS PLAY

History and Education

It is also an incredible way to incorporate history since the group that Lucas (and sometimes Mason) is part of is deep into the historical accuracy. A lot of time and research goes into their attire, their battle plans, their choice of weapons, and even their language.

Theirs is a Russian team, so everyone speaks as much Russian as they know, always learning more. They have Russian call signs. Lucas is Пивовар (Pivovar): brewer. He was given this name because he worked at a brewery at the time. Mason is братишка, (bratishka), meaning little brother.

These guys take these events seriously!

Safety

My first, and main concern has always been safety. These events are run by dedicated people, many former military and current medical, and they put safety above all. It is all founded on safety, personal responsibility, and respect. So, beyond that, as a mom I see my boys having an awesome time, immersed in historical role-play, developing a whole range of skills.

Lucas, invite me sometime, would you? It looks like a great time! I am 100% confident in what you are doing, who you are with, and trust that it would be a safe and fun experience. Your passion is contagious!

I love my life as a mom. My kids are so unique in their passions and I get to learn so much from them. Within the space of a single day I get to go from glitter to guns, rainbows to camouflage, and makeup to war paint.

Elastigirl out!

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