Obsession, Boobies and Mixed up History

My oldest son (#1) is a talker. If you have met, or ever will meet him be prepared for conversation you cannot just walk away from. I love him dearly but he has a creative mind and just thinks different than all of my other kids. He tends to get an idea or desire in his mind and simply must focus on that idea or task until he is certain he has explored it completely. This near obsession is not easily moved unless the new idea transitions together naturally. When he was little it was trains (still enjoys the handmade train and advanced electric train he has but plays with them). During that time it also was favorite colors. Between 3 and 4 he 'tried' out (his words not mine), all the colors of the rainbow till he settled on purple being his favorite. Since then he has not considered any other color to be the best, blue can be a runner up but purple wins the race.
I cannot pinpoint the exact time and place tornadoes and weather jumped in the mix. My mother swears it is from his Rescue Heroes period of obsession. Between his Aunt Net purchasing every video they made off of Ebay,and a kind nurse during one of his surgeries donating a HUGE assortment he learned tons about disasters. Since avalanches, hurricanes and earthquakes were low on the concern list where we live a tornado became an interest turned fear. Another phase of being so frightened he would not go outside or walk in the vicinity of a window when it would storm or be windy grew from that interest. Overcoming fears and pushing through years later he is left with only the need to keep his blinds completely closed at night so he does not have tornado dreams.
#1 dodged many other attempts at new obsessions along the way. Speed racer and Scooby Doo were a couple things I attempted in order to find something age appropriate and general message to kids worthy until Star Wars came along. I will admit that Star Wars would not have been my first choice, in fact one of my family member insists it was written as some kind of cult but I cannot find fact to validate that claim. The 1st time he had a sleep over with a friend from school the visitor suggested they watch the movies. I made a few phone calls to determine how I felt about this, if the granparents next door owned the movies etc. It had been a VERY long time since I watched any of the movies, not sure I ever watched them all before #1. Alas, some popcorn and soda later #1 was hooked. That evening resulted in a 2 year running obsession. It includes Friday night family gatherings for the Clone wars new episode cartoon, bedding, games, and on. What will come next? I shudder think about it since #2 is addicted to ICarly and the world of teenagers, hormones and the opposite sex.
Historical events have triggered the newest interest. The Titantic being a big one. With no help from me he checked out books from the library (dated ones at that) and learned a great deal. Last December we took a 1 day road trip to Branson to see a musuem with many artifacts. It was an amazing journey for us all but #1 couldn't have been happier. A recent visit from our cousin landed him a current jam packed book of more information about the Titantic than I ever imagined hearing or knowing. Hours upon hours he has spent reading, rereading, quoting, quizing siblings and myself on this informtion. Each night he reads it in the 30 minutes he is allotted to read in bed. I appreciate the gift, he sure loves it but whew thanks for the endless chatter cousin;)
The last few weeks in the car have produced not only Titantic discussion but also slavery and president talk. #2 asked if Daddy could become the president so we all could live in the White House. Much explanation later about how it isn't that simple, translation that they wouldn't have to do chores there (kids hear odd things when you talk that you know you didn't say)ended in a new determination on making Mommy president. More discussion and that subject died until #1's autobiography came home. He said the typical things until I got to what he is famous for...golf?? Hmmm ok and what will he be when he grows up? Don't you know he said President. When I really take a look he tends to lead the crowd, his siblings all opinionated and independant will follow his lead even when they are mad at him. His cousins do the same, although one requires more effort on his part than the other. At school half the reason he is unhappy with his class is that the people who he got good at leading are not in this class. Yep, he is an odd and wonderful bird all wrapped in one.
Wednesday and Thursday night topped the cake. While as a family visiting a local store #1 was overheard telling his sister #2 (only 7 and NOT hit puberty) that he could see her boobies. I couldn't help but break in and say What? He then retracted, well I can see the humps where....OK enough #1 as I scan for who the heck was listening to that! I guess we will be having a bedtime chat about this one when the next opportunity arises.
Thursday he is alone in the car with just me as we had dropped sister off to dance. He asks which side, North or South, was Washington DC in? I ask why he says he needs to know in case slavery ever comes back, (if he is pres he doesn't want to be on the side that had slaves, HA!). I quickly explain that slavery should not be able to come back, Bill of Rights etc. He says well if the Germans take over like in the War. I ask what war. He flips it on me and says I know how the World War began. I ask which one he repeats THE WORLD WAR. Ok I realize no teachable moment yet, must wait him out. He says the Germans hit the twin towers and killed 3000 people. Ummm not quite dude, not quite. LOL.
In my reflections sitting here I realize that as much as he frustrates his Dad and I a little more than the others at times, he also is so darn awesome I really wouldn't want him to be anything other than what he is..to quote him yesterday. "I don't want people to think I am a freak, I just want them to think I am plain old me." You are far from plain but definetly nobody but #1.