Pinewood Derby 2012

As you may remember, my camera was broken by a certain boy last month.  This has made blogging difficult, as I usually blog off the pictures on my camera.  So grateful that Emily has been involved in most of the fun things we've done this past month so I can get her pictures.  However, March 29 was Cam's last Pinewood Derby (next year he'll be 11) and Emily had something else going on that night and wasn't able to come.  As the first cars were coming down the track, I asked one of the other moms if she'd send me her pictures.  She did...so now I can blog! Thanks, Mandi!

Cam decided early that he didn't want a car this year, he wanted a truck.  He drew out the design and Spencer and Dave started cutting the block of wood into the desired shape.  Somehow, the wood broke.  But Dave was kind enough to get a new kit, cut out the shape, and bring it to Cam a couple of days later.  Cam decided the color and painted it all.  He was pretty proud of his little turquoise truck and he even got 2nd place!  We'll take a picture of his truck next time Emily's around (hint, hint) so we can post a picture.  

We only have 5 scouts in our troop, Cam is the only Webelo, so we recently joined with another troop from our Stake.  Since the other troop had already done their Pinewood Derby and Blue & Gold Banquet, they decided to not have combined Pack Meeting for March.  Instead our scout leaders combined the Derby with the Blue & Gold Banquet for just our 5 scouts.  It made for a long(er) night but was so well put together.  They really put a lot of effort in to the details as they decorated with a cowboy theme and served Sloppy Joes, salad, and chips on Marie Callender tin trays.  After dinner & awards, the men moved the tables and chairs, the track was set up, and the races began!  I took just a minute to feel a little sad that this was Cam's last Pinewood Derby...until I remembered that next year will be Gavin's first Pinewood Derby.  During the races, Spence leaned over and said, "By the time it's Harrison's turn, we'll be professionals!  We'll know ALL the tricks!"  Ah, the life of parents with Boys!

I love how the dads are more serious about the competition than most of the boys.  Here are three of the five dads fixing alignment and tweaking things to make the cars go faster...