Pinewood Derby

I both love and hate the Pinewood Derby at the same time.  It's such a fun event for the boys but I absolutely hate the weeks leading up to it.  No matter how much Jason plans it there is never enough time to finish the car and we are always trying frantically to paint the car and get the wheels on just in time for the race.  The boys are really excited about making the car at first but then it gets to the sanding.  "Is it done yet, Dad?"  "No, go work on it some more."  And then I'll save you from hearing all the whining that comes after that.

This year was no exception.  When it was time to pick out a design Jared pulled out the box of Hot Wheels and started looking for ideas.  He picked out what he thought was the perfect race car.  Jason kept asking, "Are you sure?  That's going to be a lot of work?"  He was determined though and for the most part he was a pretty good sport about working on it.  He asked Jason if they would win.  Jason told him not to count on it.  He'd never built a pinewood derby that won.  I tried to convince him that it wasn't about winning, just having fun making and racing his car.  Finally it was painted and waiting for wheels the morning of the race.  I was trying to get everyone out the door to their various activities that morning when I heard something fall on the floor and Jared and Kaitlyn both say in horror, "Oh no!  It's broken!"  I walked in the room to see Jared holding the broken car almost in tears.  All that work and he hadn't even had a chance to race it yet!  So we pulled out the super glue and hoped it would hold for the race.

Here he is ready to weigh in his car.

Jason did put a little more effort into finding tricks to make the car faster.  In the end a bit of luck helped him out when a "mistake" turned out to give the car a slight advantage.  Anyway, Jared was thrilled that his car won almost every race.  He was so excited to win 2nd place in the pack.  He even wanted to frame the certificate when he got home!

Andrew was a little jealous of Jared's success.  I guess there are advantages to being a younger child.  At least Dad has figured out a little more about things like making Pinewood Derby cars.  Andrew has been keeping busy working on his scouting though.  At a recent court of honor he received his Star rank advancement.  He's earned half the merit badges for his Eagle and is close to finishing several others.  Now if I can just keep up sewing on the patches.