All About the Money

Every year they work hard on their Pinewood Derby cars but they've never won a race. After seeing two Pinewood Derby Races I've learned that if you want a fast car you have to work on the axels and wheels. But even getting the cars cut out was proving to be difficult. Finally, I broke down and went and bought $70 worth of new tools because it was my boys' last Pinewood Derby and it was important to them. I wasn't going to let them go without their cars. Thankfully, once Papi realized that he called up a friend who helped us cut out where the wheels would go then we were able to finish cutting the cars with a member in the ward between conference sessions and I returned the unused tools.

We cut out their cars, sanded and painted as we do every year. But then we went to a friend's house to have him show us how to make the cars run fast. AJ worked on both cars. DJ wasn't feeling good. So AJ straightened and sanded the axels, drilled new holes and placed the wheels. He helped add the weights and glue. Two and a half hours and a couple of filthy little hands later we had what I hoped would be some pretty fast cars. How did I know that someone in the pack would have their wheels and axels professionally done and pay almost $90.00 to get their car ready for the race? I was proud of AJ for working so hard, not only on his car but, helping his brother when he couldn't do it too!

Race day came and the cars were lined up. 3-2-1! The gates were down and the cars were speeding down the track topping speeds over 200 mph. There in the lead was AJ's silver bullet, DJ's gold streak and the expensive and sleek sun devil machine. There were some fast cars but only these few kept winning every race.  It was going to be a close finish. After 32 races and 30 minutes of pure excitement the boys got the results. Would AJ's hard work pay off going against a professionally made car? Or once again would it be all about the money?

Does this tell you anything?

1st PLACE!!!!!!!! He got first!! I was so happy for him I couldn't even sleep that night. He had worked hard and it paid off!

DJ got third place. Although if you ask him it should have been second because he beat the sun devil machine in the races. But I guess the sun devil machine had a faster overall average because it took second place. 

There's the scoreboard with my boys listed as first and third. Take that money machine! Sometimes it really is just hard work and knowledge that pay off. What better lesson could you learn in cub scouts? Congratulations boys!!! I am so happy you had such an awesome last Pinewood Derby!