Pinewood Derby

This year the events in the weeks leading up to the Pinewood Derby added a slight twist to our preparations for the big race. We had planned to spend most of the day on Saturday, May 8th cutting, sanding and painting the cars, but Brooke and I were fortunate to be able to be in California with our family attending her grandmother's funeral that weekend.

We returned home very, very late on Sunday evening, so we were left with a little less than a week to complete two cars. Fortunately, Tanner has been through this before and knows the routine. Once Tanner and Kaden had their designs picked out, we went to work cutting, sanding, polishing and painting. We made a couple of late night trips to the store for materials and went to bed way too late every night, but we had fun together.

Tanner was in charge of the flag ceremony for the Pinewood Derby. He planned and conducted the ceremony and did a great job. He was confident and poised throughout the ceremony.

Tanner and Kaden both had great cars and so did everyone else. The competition was tough, but both Tanner and Kaden placed in the top three (Tanner was 2nd and Kaden was 3rd). The best part about Pinewood Derby (aside from the excitement of the race) is seeing all of the different designs that the kids come up with.

Kaden was particularly glad that his car finished well on his first Pinewood Derby race, but I was glad that Tanner edged him out slightly . . . not only because this was Tanner's last Pinewood Derby, but also because Kaden would not have left Tanner alone if he had done better than Tanner in his first race.