So, I have recently been introduced to the world of scouting. I seem to recall, a long time ago, when I was a nanny for a family in Kansas, that I went to a pack meeting. I don't remember much. Max turned 8 this January and so he was inducted into the "den"? Is that the right word? His third meeting was the "pack" (again, am I getting these words correct?) meeting and it happened to be the Pine Wood Derby. As per tradition, established long before my son became a scout, his car wasn't ready until the night before the meet. And, according to long standing tradition, Max didn't do much to help. Not that he didn't want to. It had to get done and Max had a little thing called "bed." We'll back up. Alan had asked me on Wednesday to pick up a few supplies for the car. That is all the instruction he gave. I asked, "What supplies do you mean?" We already owned the block of wood, yet to be carved, some wheels. "You know, just some stuff. Paint, etc..." Then he drove off to work. I went to a hobby store and perused the aisle. "What do you think you need Max?" I queried. "I dun-no," was the equally confused response. I did notice that they had "cars" in a variety of pre-carved shapes. But, I didn't buy anything and decided I'd make Al run out after work. I got a call at about 6:00 from Max's scout leader. "Did you know about the pre-weigh they are having at the church right now?" So, we didn't have a car to weigh and so I worried that Max's first pine wood derby would be a total bust. She assured me we could bring it over a little early the next night, before the race. Al got home and I immediately sent Father and son out. I told them where to look for the pre-made cars. They arrived home 20 minutes later and began their work. (Alan said they had to pry the just-closed doors of the hobby shop open and run in to buy their stuff. The store was closing. Talk about last minute!) Max was excited but a little deer-in-the-headlights about this whole race thing.
None of us knew exactly what we were doing. Max had a great attitude, though, about his lack-luster showing at his inaugural pine wood derby. The car wasn't the slowest in the place but he was clearly not the fastest. Oh, well. First try. We learned all about "graphite". Finding "tricks" on the internet for making a faster car. And, most of all, we learned that Dad needs to devote a little more time earlier in the weeks leading up to the derby. I am guessing the derby will fall at about the same time next year...right during the legislative session. Maybe I need to learn how to make a car? I could do it. I am pretty handy. The highlight of the night was going to IHOP afterwards. I think we finally ate dinner at 8:45 that night. My highlight? I love seeing my little boy in his adorable scout uniform. Can I call a scout uniform "adorable"?
Froggy loved every minute of the show.
So, I have recently been introduced to the world of scouting. I seem to recall, a long time ago, when I was a nanny for a family in Kansas, that I went to a pack meeting. I don't remember much. Max turned 8 this January and so he was inducted into the "den"? Is that the right word? His third meeting was the "pack" (again, am I getting these words correct?) meeting and it happened to be the Pine Wood Derby. As per tradition, established long before my son became a scout, his car wasn't ready until the night before the meet. And, according to long standing tradition, Max didn't do much to help. Not that he didn't want to. It had to get done and Max had a little thing called "bed." We'll back up. Alan had asked me on Wednesday to pick up a few supplies for the car. That is all the instruction he gave. I asked, "What supplies do you mean?" We already owned the block of wood, yet to be carved, some wheels. "You know, just some stuff. Paint, etc..." Then he drove off to work. I went to a hobby store and perused the aisle. "What do you think you need Max?" I queried. "I dun-no," was the equally confused response. I did notice that they had "cars" in a variety of pre-carved shapes. But, I didn't buy anything and decided I'd make Al run out after work. I got a call at about 6:00 from Max's scout leader. "Did you know about the pre-weigh they are having at the church right now?" So, we didn't have a car to weigh and so I worried that Max's first pine wood derby would be a total bust. She assured me we could bring it over a little early the next night, before the race. Al got home and I immediately sent Father and son out. I told them where to look for the pre-made cars. They arrived home 20 minutes later and began their work. (Alan said they had to pry the just-closed doors of the hobby shop open and run in to buy their stuff. The store was closing. Talk about last minute!) Max was excited but a little deer-in-the-headlights about this whole race thing.
None of us knew exactly what we were doing. Max had a great attitude, though, about his lack-luster showing at his inaugural pine wood derby. The car wasn't the slowest in the place but he was clearly not the fastest. Oh, well. First try. We learned all about "graphite". Finding "tricks" on the internet for making a faster car. And, most of all, we learned that Dad needs to devote a little more time earlier in the weeks leading up to the derby. I am guessing the derby will fall at about the same time next year...right during the legislative session. Maybe I need to learn how to make a car? I could do it. I am pretty handy. The highlight of the night was going to IHOP afterwards. I think we finally ate dinner at 8:45 that night. My highlight? I love seeing my little boy in his adorable scout uniform. Can I call a scout uniform "adorable"? 
Froggy loved every minute of the show.
8 comments:
I've got many, many, many years of this chapter ahead of me. And I'm not sure if I'm up for it.
This will be in a short time. SO please, keep filling me in. I need all the pointers I can get!
take 2~~ From the *been there done that* gallery, I think you handled it great! I didn't know that it was ok for Dads to do the work... and there was no Dad present anyway..so my poor son had a car that looked exactly like a 10 year old designed, carved and painted (use all terms loosely) his little car... until I got there and saw the others. I felt terrible as it slowly chugged the track~ but he didn't notice!!! Thanks for the smiles this many years later!! LOVE froggy!!
:)
Oh boy - things to come. I am looking forward to this stage, but kind of not. It means my little boy is turning into a big boy. I don't think I am quite ready for that.
How fun....something to look forward to. Can't wait! Love froggie, too. :)
(and I LOVE that my word verification is PALIN...lol!)
Good Times! Pine Wood Derby's are so fun... stressful for Mom because she never thinks they are going to finish the car, but thats the thing, the car is never finished. Dads and boys will tweak that car even after the race is over. My son's cars are still cherished childhood trophys.
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