Pinewood Derby

This year Justice participated in his first Pinewood Derby.  He did not participate last year because he was "sick".  Last year, Joe was still stationed in Norfolk and I was here in Tennessee with the kids.  Although I felt I did a quasi-decent job on his Space Derby Rocket, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to do a great job on a derby car.  Justice shared that sentiment.  Thankfully Joe was able to fly in for Justice's birthday last year, and they made the time to complete the car together.  Justice was happy that his Dad was able to help him, and I was glad to be off the hook about making the car.  On the night of the derby, Justice was very very sad, and "sick".  He was crying off and on throughout the evening and kept telling me how sick he felt.  It was obvious he absolutely did not want to go to the derby.  He was recovering from strep and had a slight temperature, so he stayed home.  In hindsight, I realize he was missing his Dad and didn't want to race the car without him.  Thankfully, this year his Dad is stationed here with us, so it wasn't an issue.

Justice wanted his car to be the colors of this years Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants.  Dad was more than happy to help him with that theme.

    

All of the derby cars together

The boys all had a great time at the derby, and I was impressed with the level of sportsmanship they displayed.  Justice was awarded two belt loops, and he was really happy about that.  I was a little disappointed he only earned two, and knew that Joe and I were to blame for it because parent participation is super important in the scouts.  If only I could get a handle on and understand what the heck I was supposed to be doing...  This was no fault of his scout leaders, they had explained the belt loop and pin program to me several times, but for some reason it wasn't resonating in my brain.  Joe didn't realize I didn't get it, and just figured I had a handle on it long before he transferred back here and that we were trucking right along.  And then Joe said something that immediately cleared it up. 

Me:  I just don't get it.

Joe:  I don't understand why you don't get it.  IT'S JUST LIKE PQS IN THE NAVY.  

DING DING DING!!!! (That's the bell going off in my head.)

Me:  AHHHHHHH!!!!  I totally get it now!  

I put on my old Training Petty Officer hat and got a tracking and progress system together.  Justice is on track and we spend a few hours a week after school and on Saturday's working on his belt loops and pins.  

I love scouting, it grows a very well-rounded boy.  It's so easy for kids these days to get into the same routine without anything to "mix it up", and scouting is the cure-all for that.  We have been outside bicycling, learning about pets, nutrition, the weather, culture, citizenship, and all sorts of other cool things that aren't related to sports, a video game, or the television.  I look forward to watching my son grow in the scouting program as he gets older.  He has just completed his requirements for Bear and will move up to Webelo.  Many new adventures will be opening up for him.  He will attend his first scout camp this summer, and somehow or another I thought it would be a good idea to volunteer to help with camp, so I will get to attend my first scout camp, too!

And lastly, a picture of the cutest Cub Scout there ever was.