Pine Wood Derby

Today was Eli's 1st Pinewood Derby! He was so excited to race his car. And I think Daddy was excited to race his car as well! This morning, Tim took both cars to be checked in, weighed and numbered. He also helped set up. The official derby was this afternoon. The guys in charge did a great job decorating making it really fun. They had banners, cardboard cutouts of drivers, tires and prizes for all the kids. The track was amazing to me. It was automated and when the cars finished, it announced the finishing order and reported the time to the computer. Then the names, times and finishing order would show on the projection screen. There were four lanes on the track and each racer would race four times, once in each lane. Tim and Eli raced together in the 3rd and 4th heats. Eli beat Daddy the 1st time (and the smile on his face was BIG) but Tim beat Eli on the rematch. Eli never won one of his heats but he was never last either. And you know what, I was (and still am!) so dang proud of him. He never once got mad that he didn't win. He was excited for whatever place he finished and just had fun watching his car go down the track. Next year however.....that will be a different story. Tim is all psyched now that he knows the deal and is already thinking of prototypes and designs for their cars.

Once the races were over and results figured, they had an awards ceremony. We had talked to Eli ahead of time that since he wasn't fastest that he might not win an award. He didn't seem concerned - so much so that he & Cole were off playing when they announced that he got 3rd place for Craftsmanship! He had a simple wedge design but a cool blue and orange paint job (to match his Cub Scout colors!!). Tim had a very futuristic design with silver paint. It was so much fun and Cole loved watching it too. I know he's excited for the day he can participate.

After the derby, we came home to fix dinner and Tim had to go back to help move a trailer at the church. During that time, Cole & I pinkie promised that he could watch one tv show and then we'd turn the tv off to have dinner. Oh my goodness....my sweet little boy lost it when it was time to turn the tv off. So much so that I told him he would have to go without tv for the next week. Yep....a whole week without tv. MAJOR for tv loving Cole. When Eli heard that he said "Dude, you're grounded. You're the first one in our family to be grounded." That sums it up. Guess our 4-1/2 year old is grounded!