Actually, those weights on Waffle's' car look pretty great as a design. Our son had an industrial arts class in the 8th grade about 35 years ago that had a race car derby. Our kid won Best of Show for design and he was so proud of it that we still have it on display, 35 years later. I guess his motto was if it can't be fast, be impressively pretty.
My dad had the foresight to make sure our new home being built had 2 sinks in the main bathroom. My sis and I thought it was for us but it probably was for him so that he didn't have to listen to four kids arguing all the time. And I'll bet he wished sometimes that there had been room for 4 sinks!
Lovely reading as always! So many statements I agree with! I like the idea of ending all conflicts by eating pancakes together.
It seems there are three things for certain: death, taxes and teeth brushing battles. Also, the chassis' are looking amazing, though it's sad Lucy's wasn't quicker. It's gobsmacking in my foreigner and motorsport-loving mind that the times are so precisely measured and the racing system reminds me of how they are qualifying for Indy 500 (in that famous race the grid is determined by measuring average speed from four laps of the brickyard).
I live so close to the Indy 500 but have never gone. I went to a MotoGP race at that track, though, which was amazing. I'm slowly working my way through that Formula 1 show on Netflix. Maybe I'll turn into a racing fan yet.
Motorsport is for everyone, feel free and welcomed to become a fan! Though I shall warn you DTS creators like to "spice things out a bit" when filming and there were few dramas over made-up conflicts, especially in seasons 2 & 3.
Your dad is probably familiar with the saying "Statistics are just numbers strangled into submission".
I loved my son's Pinewood Derby days. There were always cars that were obviously designed and made by the parents, so his pack saved the biggest trophy for the car "best designed by a scout".
Our pack had an award like that in previous years but didn't this time. I have all the respect in the world for a kid that can make one of those on their own. I can't even do it as an adult.
Well, I know one thing - your kids’ cars had to be tops for aesthetics! I thought they were both equally cool!
When I was a kid - so long ago - my grandparents had a 3 (or 4?) bedroom cottage with one bathroom. Of course it was the dark ages when families were large and amenities … nonexistent. But Granddaddy put a small sink and mirror in each bedroom to minimize the crowding. Just a thought!
Actually, it would have been 365 days until next year‘s pinewood derby (not 364). If this year wouldn’t be a leap year - so it’s 366 days, instead! ;-)
Imagine, you literally have two more days as you thought to improve on your skills as a race dad. :-)
(Sorry, as a mathematics lover I’m a bit picky about numbers…)
My son did Scouts for two years - lion and Webelo 2. It was with two different packs so the process was slightly different. When he was a lion (so also only 5), they gave trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each den. He finished 2nd...of 2. With possibly one of the world's slowest cars. But a 5 year old doesn't understand that 2nd of 2 is also still last...
I was only in Pinewood Derby one year. My brother (I have zero talent for physically making anything) glued a race car engine to my entry, and it looked awesome right up until the moment I dropped it on the concrete floor.
Being a girl and old enough to be Gen X, I was not a Cub Scout, but with my three younger brothers, we were definitely a Scouting family. My parents were pack/troop leaders all the way until my baby brother got his Eagle Scout rank. I have many memories of being dragged to my brothers’ Pinewood Derby races because that was the only way I was getting dinner that night. In spite of my dad’s woodworking skills, none of my brothers were champions. In fact, the kid who took the block out of the box, put the wheels on, and ran it down the track as-is beat all three of my brothers. One would think they would’ve learned, but alas, no. I peaced-out after getting my driver’s license, but am proud that all three of them achieved Eagle Scout rank.
(On a related note, my parents still owe me for letting them live to be Eagle Scouts. It was questionable at times)
We still have some of our Pinewood Derby cars in a locked glass-fronted cabinet in the living room. My boys are 27 and 22. They’ll get them back eventually. I love those little cars!
I'm Scoutmaster of a Scout Troop. We own several Pinewood Derby tracks and we make money by putting on Pinewood Derbies for Cub Packs in the area (thus not having to sell popcorn later in the year). We tell our Scouts not to openly root for any particular car but you can tell they're happier when a car that is "less perfect" beats a car that was obviously done by the dad.
Webelo mom here, in Scouts since kindergarten. We discovered a couple years back you can buy a pre-cut, pre-sanded car. Best investment we've ever made! Just have to paint it, which is actually child-friendly, unlike the rest of the project. The wheels still give us fits.
I remember that Pinewood Derby 😬
Very sweet, last paragraph.
Love when us parents get it right. 😊
I had a grandson in this year's Pinewood Derby. He came in 2nd in his group as well. Video streaming is such a good thing..
Well done! It's no small feat to come out near the top of the pack in those races. Some of those cars have a lot of science behind them.
We did like three of those races when our son was in Cub Scouts. I hate them with an everlasting hate.....
I'd be lying if I said they were my favorite Cub Scout activity. Thank goodness I personally only have to do 1 percent of the work.
Actually, those weights on Waffle's' car look pretty great as a design. Our son had an industrial arts class in the 8th grade about 35 years ago that had a race car derby. Our kid won Best of Show for design and he was so proud of it that we still have it on display, 35 years later. I guess his motto was if it can't be fast, be impressively pretty.
My dad had the foresight to make sure our new home being built had 2 sinks in the main bathroom. My sis and I thought it was for us but it probably was for him so that he didn't have to listen to four kids arguing all the time. And I'll bet he wished sometimes that there had been room for 4 sinks!
Your dad was a wise man. Extra sinks would be worth every penny, but we'd have to renovate our whole bathroom to squeeze them in.
Lovely reading as always! So many statements I agree with! I like the idea of ending all conflicts by eating pancakes together.
It seems there are three things for certain: death, taxes and teeth brushing battles. Also, the chassis' are looking amazing, though it's sad Lucy's wasn't quicker. It's gobsmacking in my foreigner and motorsport-loving mind that the times are so precisely measured and the racing system reminds me of how they are qualifying for Indy 500 (in that famous race the grid is determined by measuring average speed from four laps of the brickyard).
I live so close to the Indy 500 but have never gone. I went to a MotoGP race at that track, though, which was amazing. I'm slowly working my way through that Formula 1 show on Netflix. Maybe I'll turn into a racing fan yet.
Motorsport is for everyone, feel free and welcomed to become a fan! Though I shall warn you DTS creators like to "spice things out a bit" when filming and there were few dramas over made-up conflicts, especially in seasons 2 & 3.
Your dad is probably familiar with the saying "Statistics are just numbers strangled into submission".
I loved my son's Pinewood Derby days. There were always cars that were obviously designed and made by the parents, so his pack saved the biggest trophy for the car "best designed by a scout".
Our pack had an award like that in previous years but didn't this time. I have all the respect in the world for a kid that can make one of those on their own. I can't even do it as an adult.
I’ve only had to do one derby and that was one to many, lol. Good on you, just a few more years and you’ll be free.
The cars are cool, and the volunteers who lead the troop are awesome, but yes, I can't wait to get out of the derby game.
Well, I know one thing - your kids’ cars had to be tops for aesthetics! I thought they were both equally cool!
When I was a kid - so long ago - my grandparents had a 3 (or 4?) bedroom cottage with one bathroom. Of course it was the dark ages when families were large and amenities … nonexistent. But Granddaddy put a small sink and mirror in each bedroom to minimize the crowding. Just a thought!
That would be cool, but I shudder to think of what the kids would do with even more access to water. Their carpet would never be dry again.
Actually, it would have been 365 days until next year‘s pinewood derby (not 364). If this year wouldn’t be a leap year - so it’s 366 days, instead! ;-)
Imagine, you literally have two more days as you thought to improve on your skills as a race dad. :-)
(Sorry, as a mathematics lover I’m a bit picky about numbers…)
I look forward to wasting those extra days. I am immune to self-improvement.
My son did Scouts for two years - lion and Webelo 2. It was with two different packs so the process was slightly different. When he was a lion (so also only 5), they gave trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each den. He finished 2nd...of 2. With possibly one of the world's slowest cars. But a 5 year old doesn't understand that 2nd of 2 is also still last...
I want a flaming knife car!
I was only in Pinewood Derby one year. My brother (I have zero talent for physically making anything) glued a race car engine to my entry, and it looked awesome right up until the moment I dropped it on the concrete floor.
Being a girl and old enough to be Gen X, I was not a Cub Scout, but with my three younger brothers, we were definitely a Scouting family. My parents were pack/troop leaders all the way until my baby brother got his Eagle Scout rank. I have many memories of being dragged to my brothers’ Pinewood Derby races because that was the only way I was getting dinner that night. In spite of my dad’s woodworking skills, none of my brothers were champions. In fact, the kid who took the block out of the box, put the wheels on, and ran it down the track as-is beat all three of my brothers. One would think they would’ve learned, but alas, no. I peaced-out after getting my driver’s license, but am proud that all three of them achieved Eagle Scout rank.
(On a related note, my parents still owe me for letting them live to be Eagle Scouts. It was questionable at times)
Oh, and love Waffle’s car!
We still have some of our Pinewood Derby cars in a locked glass-fronted cabinet in the living room. My boys are 27 and 22. They’ll get them back eventually. I love those little cars!
P.S. Pancakes lift every mood! I’d like some now.
I admire the way you seem to not being upset Waffle bit her sister, hopefully she doesn't bite outside of the family LOL
I'm Scoutmaster of a Scout Troop. We own several Pinewood Derby tracks and we make money by putting on Pinewood Derbies for Cub Packs in the area (thus not having to sell popcorn later in the year). We tell our Scouts not to openly root for any particular car but you can tell they're happier when a car that is "less perfect" beats a car that was obviously done by the dad.
Webelo mom here, in Scouts since kindergarten. We discovered a couple years back you can buy a pre-cut, pre-sanded car. Best investment we've ever made! Just have to paint it, which is actually child-friendly, unlike the rest of the project. The wheels still give us fits.