Eight is great!

Along with getting baptized, turning eight also gave CJ the opportunity to become a Cub Scout. Nobody was sure how he would like this, but as it turned out, he really enjoys it.

One of the first activities he was involved with was the "rain gutter regatta".

This is kind of like a pinewood derby for water. You build a little sailboat from a kit, then they're raced, two at a time, in a 10' piece of rain gutter. Propulsion is provided by blowing on the sail as you walk along side the boat. A little trickier than it sounds.

CJ received the kit about a week before the event. Building the boat, he learned how to sand, paint, and assemble the parts. A pirate theme was chosen, and the little ship was christened "CJ's Locker" You know, like Davey Jones Locker. No? Oh well.

After sanding and painting, a bunch of pirate decals were placed before a final coat of clear lacquer was applied. Lastly, a "secret" coating was applied to help the "Locker" cut thru the water.

After all was complete, we located an old piece of gutter and set up a test course in the back yard.

It worked!!!

The following day was the big race. There were some really neat boats there, but none better than Cayden's! He really did a good job on it!

After several heats, all boats were declared winners.

Much fun was had by all.

The kit

CJ gets started. Love that smile!

Sanding with "the mouse" sander.

A little instruction.

Preparing to apply decals.

G'Ma helps with the tricky decal application, but Cayden got the hang of it soon.

Final coat of paint.

Filling the test course.

It floats!

Racers on the course. Cayden is in background.

Thar she (or he) blows!

First place with a proud mama!

Group shot of racers.

Mom shows off CJ's locker

We're looking forward to the pinewood derby!