Start your engines

A narrow lane track balanced by strategically placed books held three cars at a time.  Each Cub Scout marched to the top of the racetrack and placed a handcrafted Pinewood Derby car on the downward slope.  The Bug’s car, unlucky #13 (no surprise in this family) just as he’d envisioned it – purple with little penguins – waited for its turn at the pole position.

The first three cars raced down the track.  A folded beach towel was butted up against the finish line to stop the forward motion. 

One of Cheezy's vintage models

I’d helped Cheezy design and build his first Pinewood Derby car.  The flames were supposed to make it go faster.  You can tell I was a pro by now.  A few years before, still as a single mom, I had no idea they could be souped-up to move faster.  Hot Wheelz and I had designed his first derby car more as an artistic piece.  We’d painstakedly rounded the wooden body and molded yellow bucket seats out of PlayDough for the convertible sports car.  Hot Wheelz recalled it being silver with blue strips.  After being weighed in, one of the dads lovingly hallowed out a spot and duct taped a few coins under the chassis. 

Second place in second heat

My heart had raced that night, probably faster than his car was able to go.  “Don’t let him be last,” I pleaded in silence.  And he wasn’t.

Now it’s different.  There were several heats.  The Bug’s car moved slightly faster than glacial speed (probably something to do with the penguins), but it made it to the end of the track.  There were several heats and in the end he received a participation certificate for the most “Antarctic Ace” car.

P.S. Incidentally, the Bug did NOT get beat up as mom feared because of his purple penguin car.   Whew!

Related posts:

1. Long ago in the land of milk and cookies
2. Halloween on a budget
3. Surprise!
4. Everything you ever wanted to be
5. Sunday morning with kids