The final steps of preparation for the Pinewood derby were made this week. We worked on car alignment by letting Kiernan zoom it around the kitchen floor to his hearts desire. I took it into work to weigh it.
The idea was to get it up to maximum weight (5oz).
According to the internet we wanted most of the weight in the back to give us a greater potential energy for the falling part of the ramp.
I had nothing in the house capable of weighing such a small measure so I went to use the many sensitive scales at work.
As an added bonus I got this great scale that they were getting rid of.
We worked on the hill but the snow was so much all that really got done was a growing set of bald patches in a huge snow field.
Last year we decided to use gravity as our friend and dig down from the top. Unfortunately we only got 3/4 of the way down before the poor UPS guy (not able to see the bottom of the hill from the street) got stuck halfway down.
This year we decided to do the top last.
Its pretty ugly out there.
We are finally really considering a snow blower.
Here are two angles of Kiernans car after David drilled out holes and added weight.
The car now weighs 4.97 oz.
Kiernan ran a few more chase the dog tests.
On Friday night while I was at work they took it to be weighed, inspected and registered for the races.
On Saturday morning we went to the American Legion 191 and checked out all the great cars.
Kiernan's is in the top left corner. He named it Steve wheeler.
The boys collected their drivers licenses. The races began.
Each car got one run in each of the 4 lanes in case there were any track irregularities.
Steve wheeler won all 4 of its races.
Kiernan won first place for his den and had been invited to race in the regional Super Derby in March.
Kiernan had 2 small melt downs both of embarrassment. One problem was going by himself to get snacks at the bake sale because he didn't know anyone there. The other was embarrassment at having to go up in front of everyone.
He was very tense about his result. He asked me, as the 4th then 3rd then 2nd place winners were named, if everyone had seen his car and didn't like it or if they didn't like him.
I told him the races were timed so it didn't have anything to do with liking but also that several boys had already come by to compliment him on his car, so clearly that was OK too.
He didnt break down till after he went up for his medal and got his cheers.
I was sorry to see the melt downs but very pleased that he pulled himself together (with some hugs) and didn't ask to leave.
Of special note his friend Alex came over to him when he was upset to say nice things to him in a very sweet little boy way.
The rest of the weekend was belated birthday related.
He got lots of Minecraft Lego sets. He was, needless to say, very happy.
I made TNT cupcake things and a giant 3D rice crispy treat creeper (head seen above).
Kiernan had a few friends over for pizza and cake.
We cleaned as if picky adults were coming over and felt stressed by the time crunch of party plus race in one day but the kids had a great time.
We also went out and worked on the hill some more once they were gone.
Megan had a fever and then some very painful mouth sores and some well earned fuss all weekend.
The extra naps of sickness meant more time for shoveling and more rest for a sick girl so I suppose it worked out but I really wish she was healthier and happier.
On Sunday we dug some more and had Alex over.
We ate more pizza and cake and the boys played video games while Pax (very good with all the company all weekend) ran about tail wagging and sniffed.
After the house was quiet again Kiernan and I went out for some exercise with the dog and once Megan was up we went for some evening/night sledding on a big hill near Twin Ridge.
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