It's Derby Day!

Every year the boys ages 8-10 get to participate in the pinewood derby.  This was Ethan's last year.  The first year he wored really hard and had someone with a lot of knowledge show him how to make a great derby car.  Well, half way through the wheels bacame loose and the car began to wobble.  He still ended up with a 3rd place, but it was not what he was after.  Last year his dad and him worked hard once again, and designed a great car that took first, but it was such a close finish it could have, and probably should have gone to the other boy.
This year Ethan was determined to go out in style and once again win the derby.  Clarence had been preoccupied with other things, so the car was put off until the last minute to build.  It was carefully designed, sanded, and painted the week of the derby.  Friday night very late Clarence put the first shuny coat on the car, and was planning of finishing in the morning.  The next morning Clarence woke early and put one more coat on. Karly had been up most of the night with a high fever, so I was still lounging around in my pj's. 
I asked Ethan, what time is the derby?  He thought it was like at 10 or 11.  I looked at my phone as saw sometime during the night I recieved a text that said the derby started at 8:00am.  I then looked at the clock.  Panic.  It was 8:04 and the car was still no where near ready to race!  Clarence and Ethan raced around the house and finished drying the car with a blow dryer. The scout shirt was left hanging in the closet, and I was just thankful Ethan remembered to change his pants!  They ran up to the church just in time to weigh the car just as the races were starting.  It was still tacky and the wheels were sticking to the paint, so Clarence put graphite on the wheels where they were sticking, and the car was soon covered in silver  graphite specks and fingerprints.  Clarence thought for sure this little car was going to be lucky to even win 1 race.
Ethan put his car up on the track and let it go.  Clarence just sat and hoped it would not lose too badly.  It didn't.  It won, and it won big!   Both Ethan and Clarence were shocked!  The next race the car went up on the track and the same silent prayer was offered.  Once again the car won!  Again and again it continued to perform well.  Unbelievable! First Place!  Ethan couldn't be more estatic. 

 I cheated and photo shopped a scout shirt on Ethan since he forgot his.

This is a picture of his whole pack.

I am so proud of my boy and his accomplishments.  He worked hard with his dad, and together they built a great car, but more important, they built a great memory.
Another great thing that happened was Ethan received his Weblos badge, along with his arrow of light and serveral other awards.  This was not to his liking, and it took more than gentle persuasion to get him to finish before his birthday, but he did it!
After the derby, Ethan and his little buddy Seth went with Aunt Ju Ju to celebrate his win.  I'm so glad he has a good friend/cousing to hang out with.  What started out as a crazy day turned into a fun filled great day.  Derby days may be over for us, but they will just be starting for Ethan's little buddy.  Get ready Seth!