The beauty of speed

I remember attending only one other Pinewood Derby. About 4 or 5 years ago I showed up because I was Primary President and wanted to provide support for the scout leaders. I had no participating son and I found the entire event to be so much fun. A riot! I had little daydreams of holding a Derby in our cul-de-sac. How much fun would that be?

I was not prepared for the gut wrenching experience that we were subjected to as parents of a Cub. Would his car be cool enough? Would it lose every race? Would he cry? Would this send him on a downward spiral into depression that would last through his turbulent teen years? Would he win every race and give an "in your face" victory speech, exposing our unsatisfactory parenting skills? The possibilities were.....many.

In reality, he won a few and he lost the rest. But he was too interested in running around the cultural hall with the other 8 year old boys hopped up on sugar cookies and off-brand soda to care. We, on the other hand, sat perched on our metal folding chairs with our cameras at the ready waiting to capture a winning race on camera so as to prove to the boy that his car was SUPER FAST! "See? See it? Your car was super fast, Ethan!" This could prove the beginning of the upward spiral of confidence and self esteem that could help him to sail through his triumphant teenage years.

We are delusional.

We could use a sugar cookie and a good run.

Maybe a little Twist-Up.


Ethan and his car, "The Dragon".


I'm still convinced our cul-de-sac Derby would totally rock.