Friday, February 27, 2009

Not So Fond Farewell
It's no secret that I dislike the Scouting program. Red wants to participate, and so, we do. But if it were left up to me, he'd never don that neckerchief and blue shirt again... but, this isn't about me. It's about him.
Last night was our Pinewood Derby. It's probably one of my least favorite things about Scouting. But, again, not about me.
Red was pretty excited this year. He was hoping to break a sad losing streak. You see, his first car was shaped kinda like a funky sports car. That year he didn't win any races. Not one.
The next year we had the pencil car. It looked awesome, but still didn't win any races. Not even close.
This year we chose a wedge shape hoping that it would be a little more aerodynamic. But what Red really wanted was for it to be really fun... and so, he decided to do this with his car!
That's right... he wanted it to look like a wedge of cheese with a little mouse on top!
We don't have the greatest tools, but I cut it out with a little hand saw. Red sanded, drew the holes on and then helped a little with the drilling. Then he painted and cut out all the shapes for the mouse. I glued the bits and pieces on the lead sinker to make the mouse because the stuff we had to use is pretty nasty if you get it on your hands. Then Hubby and Red went to put the wheels on... and the nails bent. They ended up having to glue them in and, apparently, that's not such a good thing.
I wish I could tell you that his car won a race. That's all we were hoping for... just one race. But it didn't. It seems that we are the worst Pinewood Derby car builders in the world. He took dead last. Again.
Red was a pretty good sport, but he was SO disappointed. It was so hard to watch him try to smile as he told me the news (Baby Girl is sick again... bad fevers and her legs hurt... not sure what's going on, but I stayed home from the Derby with her). We're going to take him to Carl's Jr. to celebrate a job well done. He did a lot of the work on the car and I'm pleased with that. Besides, it looks AWESOME!
And even though this isn't about me, I can't help but feel a little pleased that we don't have to make another Pinewood Derby car ever again!

16 comments:

Yvonne said...

Melissa, can you e-mail me your address. I WOULD LOVE TO SEND RED A CARD--that is by far the cutest Pinewood Derby car I have EVER seen--and I have seen quite a few. My boys have NEVER WON.

Hugs to you and to Red.

Jillybean said...

That is an amazingly creative idea!! I hope he won some sort of award for best design or something.
Some people around here really get into this pinewood derby thing. Our first year we knew nothing and CJ just made a cool looking car.
When we got to the race, people had these special weights and were rubbing graphite on the wheels.

We've got at least 4 more pinewood derbys left at our house.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

That has got to be the most unique, creative car I've ever seen done! Way to go Red!

Kristina P. said...

It's such a cute car! So creative!!

Randi said...

Darling car!! And I can't TELL you how relieved I was the day I went to my last pinewood derby.
No matter what you do, there are always tears.

i said...

WHO CARES HOW FAST IT GOES!?!? IT'S DANG CUTE!!! well, i guess red does. but remind him, IT'S DANG CUTE!

Jodi said...

I just showed Keaton the picture of Red's car and he is SO impressed! As he put it, "Dude, that's AWESOME! I've never seen a car like that one!"

Christy said...

Congrats to finishing cub scouts... and pinewood derbies. My hubby grew up in a family that won the pinewood derby every year... apparantly, my father in law has the "gift"... but didn't pass the secret from father to son, because my oldest always came in dead last in his pinewood derby, no matter how hard they worked on aerodynamics. It seems like some people just have the majic touch!

Super Happy Girl said...

I LOVE that car! Cool.
We always took last place and our car never looked like a wedge of cheese with a cute mouse on top ;)

I hope Baby Girl feels better soon. Aches are no fun.

Ally said...

That car is so groovy! I love it! :-D

Sorry he didn't win, but he really should've gotten the 'Most Cool Car' prize.

(Congratulations on no more Pinewood Derbies, though.) ;-)

... said...

the car looks awesome! sorry it didn't win and sorry red had to suffer through the defeat(s). hope baby girl feels better soon.

Paula said...

Love the car! SO creative, I hope he won FIRST Place for that design!
INi fact I think you should send the pix to a cheese company!
We always had bad luck with pinewood derby cars - actaully I can say i hated those races...i honestly have never figured out the why they do them.....hope you had anice visit with your mom and dad! PK

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

For some reason, my husband and sons build cars that come in 2nd or 3rd every year. So, for us, the derby is fun. But I have seen the many tears and know that it's hard to lose year after year. (Actually, Evan's car didn't place this year, just Justin's. boo hoo... But it was a good lesson that we can't win EVERY time. ) That wedge of cheese is ADORABLE. I love it! It would have won our contest for most original design!

Nancy Face said...

My sons and their dad couldn't build fast cars, either! :)

I can say with complete honesty that Red's car is by far THE COOLEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN! I love it, and hope he displays it proudly in his room for many years! :)

Bonnie the Boss said...

Coolest car ever. Just don't tell my boys I said that.

Anonymous said...

Please tell Red that Dylan, Derek, and their Dad thought he had the coolest looking car. And they were envious. We have been very fortunate when it comes to making pinewood derby cars. If we can be of any help we would love to give you some pointers. Thats what scouts is all about to help each other and learn from one another.
I hope he stays involved in scouts its a wonderful thing if you have great leaders.
Derek, Dylan and their Dad