Pinewood Derby - Behind the Scenes

A lot of movie directors and book writers have been contacting Huner and I concerning our 2nd place finish in last week's pinewood derby. So far we have held out looking for the big paycheck, but until that happens I thought I would post my memoirs on the blog. We began working on the pinewood derby over a month ago - Stacey went to Utah, so she took the block of wood to have her dad cut out the design for Hunter's car. Hunter had spent countless hours looking for exactly the right design he wanted. So, Grandpa McClanahan cut out the car. Hunter and I then sanded the car to get it ready for painting. For a couple of weeks, Hunter and I took 1200 grade sandpaper and we were smoothing out the axles, so the tires could have less friction. Then, we painted the car cherry red. Stacey proceeded to try and paint some flames on the car, but for some reason the paint didn't work and the red base paint became ruined. Stacey tried to repaint, but things got worse. In the end, I had to sand off all the paint and repaint about two days before the race. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday leading up to the Wednesday night race, I would constantly graphite the wheels and spin them on the axles to help create the almost frictionless wheels we needed to compete. I took the car to my work and weighed it on the postage meter and added weights until we got to exactly 5 oz. I put the wheels on and ran a few practice races in my office. That was when I realized that the car kept going hard to the right. I didn't want to mess with the wheels any more, but was concerned about having a good outing that night. I left work early and took the car home for Stacey to put some flame stickers on the car - no more painting! Finally, the car was complete and we headed over to the church for the big race. Our first race was exciting and intense, and I held my breath in hopes that the car would have a decent race. Hunter ended up winning his first race! I was able to breath easier knowing that we won at least one race. The next race Hunter took first place again, but a car car jumped the track and he ended up re-racing that race. He then took second. The next race he took third, then 2nd, then his car jumped off the track, and then he posted 3 straight wins. When he took third place, he became very sad and came over and sat on my lap. He figured there was no way he would place now. But thanks to the 3 wins in the end, he started getting excited again. Then, the Scout Master announced the winners and handed out trophies. He started with the last place race and then posted racers from 20th to 10th on the big screen. I was happy to not see Hunter's name on that list because we then knew he made the top 10. Then, the scout master listed from 9th through 4th. Again, we did not see Hunter's name on the list. Hunter became very excited. When he saw his name at the 2nd spot he was beside himself with giddiness! He was so happy. I couldn't believe that we had done so well either, but I am not going to argue. Hunter had a ball and I was excited to see my son so excited. Of course, now we have set the bar extremely high - how can we possibly top that?? I hope that once the movie and book deals come in then Hunter will forget about trying to achieve first place next year...

Jungle Gym

I am not sure if Dads were designed to be jungle gyms, but I definitely feel like one! Stacey and I always joke that if I get on the ground then I become a magnet to my kids. We always run little tests and I will get on the ground, and sure enough, the kids start hanging on me and jumping on me. It is starting to get to the point that it is no longer a laughing matter! I enjoy laying on the ground and stretching out my back...without my kids jumping on me, but I rarely get that opportunity. Today, I was talking to Ryan while he was sitting on the couch, so I slowly got to the ground and laid on my back to start stretching out. Ryan was telling me a story, and no sooner had I got on the ground, then Ryan came over to me and sat on my chest and finished telling his story. Moments later, Sami came running over to me and fell down on my chest and started "reading" a book while using me as a pillow. I left things that way for a few minutes and then I heard Hunter coming down the stairs, so I threw Ryan off me and picked up Sami. I am sure the instinct kicked in on Hunter and he knew I was in the position for him to climb all over me....but I squashed it before that could happen. I really am convinced that Dads are jungle gyms...or else their children look at them as jungle gyms. Sometimes I will stay up late at night after the kids go to bed, just so I can get a good stretch on the floor...

Opening Day

There is a lot of discussion and debate about what day is really considered the opening day of Major League Baseball. Yesterday there was one baseball game supposedly signifying the inaugral game of the season, while today most of the rest of the teams played games. Typically, for me, the first game of the baseball season is considered opening day for me; however, this year I viewed things a little different. I usually am pretty open and boisterous about the opening day of baseball, but I feel with so many other things going on this time of year, I haven't been chatting up baseball with my kids. But when I got home from work today and as soon as dinner was over, Hunter hit me up to go play catch outside. Of course this was a YESDAD moment, but also something where I am easily swayed to do, so we went outside and played catch. Ryan wanted to be the coach and tell us what to do, which he tried hard to do, but got distracted with all the other things being outside has to offer. Hunter and I played for quite a while in the front yard with him standing in our driveway and me on the other side of the street - and only stopping when one of us spotted a car heading our way. Toward the time when the light in sky became dark Ryan decided that he wanted to try his hand at playing catch. So, him and I played catch for quite a while - even when we couldn't see the ball any more he still wanted to play catch. Eventually, I was able to convince him it was time to go in the house, after I promised we would play another night. After this evening, I can't help but think that OPENING DAY of baseball must be something inbred in the Griffin genes...why else would the boys all of the sudden want to play baseball -- they can feel it in the air...

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan, is the name that I frequently call Ryan for some reason. I am not quite sure how that came about, but I am not quite sure how a hot dog is made either, but somehow it still works. Anyway, I have been concerned about my relationship with Ryan lately as it seems like we are always fighting with each other and he frequently tells me "I hate you!" Of course, 5 minutes later he is giving me a hug and a kiss as I tuck him into bed. Yesterday, Ryan was having a very rough day -- due to the fact that he didn't get a good nights sleep. He had several breakdowns in the morning, and one in which he was placed in his room. I went into his room and demanded a hug, and started tickling him until I got a hug. Finally, he gave me a hug and he was happy again. However, later in the day he had another melt down, right about the time that he was going to go over to a friend's house. He told me that he wasn't going to go but wanted to stay home with me. I told him that I would be fine and he should go to his friend's house. He left, but about 5 minutes later I got a phone call. Ryan was on the other end, crying a little bit, and he told me that he wanted to call me to tell me that he missed me and that he loved me. I loved it so much. I asked him if he wanted me to come pick him up, but he said 'no' that he wanted to play. Though I lost out to a 5-year old friend, I still loved the fact that Ryan called me to tell me "I love you!"

Emmet Otter's Jugtime Band

I found this video on Youtube and it reminded me of going to Grandma Baldwin's and watching this movie with her when I was little. What a great show!!

Click on this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV0SbkrG44Y