I really thought we were going to finally after a gazillion years get out of having to make a Pine Wood Derby car. Levi turned 11 which means he is no longer a Cub Scout. He is a Boy Scout now but noooo. Our local Cub leader brought Levi a car kit and told him since he barely had his birthday he can still compete.
Try telling Levi he can't race a Derby car. Go ahead! Try! I did. I whined. I kicked. I screamed. I got down on my knees and begged and begged. I offered to buy him a room full of balloons. I offered to buy him a truck bed full of gum.
It's Derby Time. No persuasion. A car must be made. A car must be raced. You try telling Levi he can't be in the Pine Wood Derby!!! Let's see how well you do!
So, The SM did what he does best. He sat down with Levi and asked him what he wanted his car to look like. A Star Wars X-Wing. Alll riiiighty then!
Do you know how hard it is to help a child who doesn't have very good small motor skills and doesn't look at what he is doing/working on paint lines and stripes? Ask The SM. Patience. Lots and lots of patience and a steady guiding hand. Lots of love and encouragement. This is what goes into making an awesome Pine Wood Derby car that took second place.
Love those leaders...and parents...who know that people are more important than arbitrary rules. What a great car!
ReplyDeleteRules schmools. :D Me too. Even if it did mean we had to make another Derby car. I say 'we'. (giggle) The SM...........
DeleteAh....makes my heart happy. Way happier than a truck load of gum! But you started telling him right after this, that it was his last time, right?
ReplyDeleteHow can anyone tell Levi no? That face, those eyes....
Uh. Yeah. Last time. I'll get right on that! :D Considering that Mr. J turns 8 this year which means he'll be a Cub Scout which means he'll be racing next year......... one child runs into another...... forgot to mention to Levi that even though he'll see more cars being made.......... yeah. I think perhaps I better start buying a lot of gum.
DeleteOh, yeah. That complicates things a bit. Maybe he can be Mr. J's pit boss! And he gets paid for the fine job he does as pit boss....with gum and balloons!
DeleteThere's an idea! We can even get Levi a special hat and cape since Levi loves capes. :)
DeleteLook at how he cradles that car in his hands! And how seriously he takes the Derby. Such focus. And yes, such love and patience - which is the best recipe for raising kids.
ReplyDeleteLevi was told to hold the car very carefully so he wouldn't drop it and it would break. He took this very seriously. He was so cute about it.
DeleteYou're a good mom . . . :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Anaise. It is more like, Levi has a good daddy.
DeleteDid I ever show you the hideous last car G helped Murphy make? It was deadly, with two vintage iron nails along the sides - like a Darth Vader car. And we STILL HAVE IT. I won't allow it to be kept up or even out of wrappings in case there's an earth quake. I don't think it was even regulation. But it smashed everything in its path, so in the end NONE of the cars were regulation.
ReplyDeleteLevi's takes FIRST PLACE in all the cars I've EVER seen -
Laughing. I haven't seen that car! How have I missed such a car???
Deleteyou managed to get my whole family in your first picture :) you guys are in most of mine...thats what we get for sitting across from each other ;)
ReplyDeleteAck!!! I'm sorry your view wasn't as good as ours!
DeleteSo funny to see that Levi and Toby wear their hats exactly the same! and Yay for awesome cars and awesome Dads x
ReplyDeleteThe whole hat thing over the eyes is so funny to me! To see anything our boys have to tilt their heads up. Maybe they don't want to see anything. I think when I go into my daughter's bedroom I'll take their example and wear a hat down over my eyes. My whole face actually!
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