Pinewood Derby

This year was our first pinewood derby.

It was actually a major catalyst in Andrew's decision to accept a new schedule at work.

Working nights required him to miss the pack meeting every month.

But we knew he would take time off to make it to the pine wood derby.

We realized his new shift would require him to use vacation hours for certain Saturday events.

Then we realized he already had to do that.

Nothing lost in that aspect of the change, and other things were gained.

So we made the change in his schedule and we LOVE it.

Andrew took his responsibilities very seriously in helping Ammon get ready for the race.

They sat down together and designed a beautiful and sleek racing car.

They headed to Grandpa's house to use his saws and got it cut.

They went to the store together where Ammon selected his paint and decals.

Andrew supervised while Ammon did several coats of paint.

The wheels were added and then the stickers.

After it was built, we realized we had some flaws in the design.

The cut of the car had left very thin areas where the wheels needed to attach.

As a result, the wheels were a bit crooked.

Also, the car was cut so slim that there was little room for internal weights.

They could have added weights to the top, but Andrew didn't want to.

We didn't really care if Ammon won first place.

But both Andrew and I were so worried at the thought the he might come in last.

Our car looked pretty awesome,

but we knew it had some major weaknesses that would impact performance.

So, the morning before the derby, Andrew set out to help Ammon make a new car.

It was a crazy day because he worked his job until 8:00 at night Monday night.

Then he turned around and left the house at 7:00 the next morning - only to get home around 6:00.

The pinewood derby was scheduled to start at 7:00.

It was hectic, but we were able to get the new car made.

Just before the race started, the guy asked if anyone used the white powder.

I didn't know anything about powder, but Andrew was on top of it and had gotten some for Ammon's car.

It helps make the wheels spin better, I guess.

Well, we had used the white powder.

The guy said it was junk.

He said that anyone who wants to powder their car has to do it before the racing starts.

So we went and put some black powder on top of the white powder not thinking much more of it.

Then the race began.

They rolled four cars at a time.

Two of them (belonging to brothers) didn't even cross the line.

A quick review revealed that they had used the white powder.

The guy had them go douse them in the black powder as much as possible.

My heart sank.

We had put some black powder over the white, but was it enough?

No, it wasn't.

Race after race, Ammon's car came in dead last.

Ammon was heartbroken - he had been so proud of his car.

Andrew was devestated - he had worked so hard to avoid this very scenario.

It was sad to watch.

After each race, I had Ammon come sit with me on my lap.

We had whispered conversations about it being OK to lose.

We had hugs and kisses.

He was so sad, but he handled himself well.

I could see that he wanted to cry or even throw a big fit.

But he didn't.

The guy running the race was great about making it fun and not about winning.

But it was still hard for Ammon to come in dead last.

I don't know if anyone else even realized that he lost every single time.

But he did.

It was a hard night, because we knew it was just that stupid powder.

In fact, the third place winner was one of those cars that didn't even make it on his first run.

If only we had known!!!

But we finished the races, went out for ice-cream and all was forgotten.

Well, all the sadness was forgotten.

I think I will always remember being so proud of my boy - 

Who stayed strong in the midst of disappointment.

He never gave up hope and he stuck with it until the end.

Sometimes bad things happen.

There is nothing that can be done to change the situation.

It can really stink and just not be any fun.

But whether or not you can control the situation, you can always control your response.

I felt like Ammon was able to learn that lesson this year.

If even just a little bit.

And that is what I loved most about the pinewood derby.

I'm so proud of my boy!