A Celebrated Rite of Boyhood

Oh happy day!

The Boy Scout Law states that "a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."

Not a bad set of guidelines for a young boy...or anyone, for that matter. The Boys Scouts of America is a wonderful organization that has been helping to shape and mold young men for 100+ years. And any parent of a Cub Scout knows that scouting means uniforms and badges and patches and den meetings and awards banquets and…the Pinewood Derby!

Well Thursday was the big race for our Tye guy.
Some said that it couldn't be done. But against all odds, here in the Mormon Motherland of Utah, Tye did what we thought was impossible---repeated his Pinewood Derby win! He beat 20 other cars and it was awesome! Last year was such a thrill for my two guys (see post Tye's Big Events) who spent hours and hours building their 2010 car. You see, Tye's first Derby showing was against a troop full of boys with Engineer fathers and Eric knew how tough the competition would be, since we all know scouts make these race cars with some help from Dad—well maybe a lot of help from Dad! :)

Since we moved to the Mormon Mecca (aka Salt Lake City), Eric has been dreading this race, sick that he would disappoint his boy (and I believe he wanted to win, too!) Once Tye received his car last month, Eric explained to him "that all the 'tricks' of the craft, all the clever designs and ideas were well known in the land of the Mormon Pioneers. We would try and push for the top 10, and if we got it, we would consider that to be a personal win." Obviously their work paid off!!! I really enjoyed the night as I watched the fear leave Eric's face little by little with each of Tye's wins. As I wrote before, Tye had been gently told we didn't stand a chance here in Utah, so his total excitement and joy was darling, too! What a fun night!

That is a shocked and happy face! :)

Pure Joy!
Tye's winning car is the red & light blue #37, in lane number one.
Our very happy family.

And for those who know the tongue and cheek Buckley Family Motto on Game Nights ("If you're not cheating, you're not trying") be assured that Eric makes sure to follow ALL the rules when it comes to real life stuff, like the Pinewood Derby.

A.) You want to beat others fair and square because it's the right thing to do,
and
B.) Who wants to have a tainted win, or worse, get their win taken away because they cheated?!?

So let it be known by this Mom who saw it all, these wins were both legit, baby! :) Until next year, when Spencer enters the fray...