AWANA Derby Races

Wednesday night was the derby race for AWANAs.  Thankfully, we had finished Parker's car before we left for Beaver Creek.  This was our first year to make a car and it was a little harder than we thought, since we didn't know anything about adding weights to make it faster.  We decided not to worry too much about making it fast and instead chose to paint it to look like Spider-Man.  We figured if it didn't win, at least it would look cool!

The night of the race started with all of the kids gathering for prayer and a few last minute instructions.  I assumed that Eden would not want to go up with all of the other kids, but I was completely wrong.  She (and her newly found confidence) followed Parker and all of the other kids up to the front.  I knew she was nervous by the way she was chewing on her fingernails (which is what she always does when she gets nervous) but she never cried or got embarrassed.  I was so proud of her.

 

First up to race were the Cubbies.  They did not make cars but brought matchbox cars from home to race.  Eden picked Holly Shiftwell as her car to race.  They let them each race about three or four times.  Eden was so excited each time to watch her car come down the ramp.  After she was done, she ran over to me and said, "Mommy, I did it and I didn't even cry!".  It was such a big moment for her! 

After the Cubbies finished, it was time for the real races to begin.  Each racer was given a driver's license with three boxes.  After each race, any racer that didn't finish in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place got an X in one of their boxes.  After three X's, the racer was eliminated from the race.

Parker's first race was not good- he came in last place and received his first X.  He was so disappointed.  His second race wasn't much better- 6th place out of 7.  Second X.  His third race ended better than the first two- 5th place out of 7 but unfortunately earned him his last X and eliminated him from the race.  As soon as I told him that he couldn't race anymore, the tears started.  He was so sad and kept saying, "I just want to race my car again.".

After a lot of talking (and one threat that if he didn't stop crying we would have to leave), he finally accepted that he was not going to win the race this year.  In the end, Parker had a fun time and learned a lot about being a good loser.  And Cory and I learned that we need to research how to make a faster car next year!