Good idea? Bad idea? You decide.

Yesterday afternoon, while perusing the hardware drawers at Home Depot for magnetic latches to fix Milo and Oliver’s play kitchen door, I came across rolling casters quite by accident. I picked up a package containing four, and was suddenly transported back to Smith Elementary School gym class, where one of my favorite things to do on a rainy school day was to scoot on a square-shaped board with wheels until I either ran over my own fingers or crashed into someone else, causing some sort of bodily harm. And suddenly, it became my mission to recreate this painful memory for my own boys.

Torture Devices Needed:

• two packs rolling casters (sets of four)- preferably ones with rubber wheels (we learned that the plastic ones can scratch wooden floors)
• two 1×17 3/4 laminated pine rounds (found in the lumber section)
• 32 wood screws
• drill
• rope or twine
• scissors

Step 1: Convince unsuspecting spouse how much more fun it would be to “help” build a couple of scoot-alongs than to hold the baby.

Step 2: Measure out a length of rope to span the diameter of the pine round and cut to size.

Step 3: Finding the center of the round, drill 1 wood screw just enough to hold the rope. Placing the center of the rope around the screw, you will now be able to place each caster at equal distances from the edge of the round.

Step 4: You can either cut the rope again to the exact length you want to place the casters or you could mark the rope with a marker. Up to you.

Just make sure you place the casters far enough away from the edge that little boys’ fingers won’t get pinched when they hold onto the sides of the round, but not so far in that the round will tip over easily. We eyeballed it.

Step 5: Place first caster in position and using a small-guage drill bit, carefully drill shallow holes in each of the four openings on the base of the caster to make screwing it in easier.

Step 6: Drill each wood screw into the base of the caster, alternating diagonally and being careful not to over-tighten.

Step 7: Show as much gratitude as possible toward the ones who are providing you with this invaluable teaching moment.

Step 8: Repeat step 6 with each caster, placing them at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock on the round.

Step 9: Unscrew the middle screw. You will need it for the second scoot-along!

Step 10: Do it all over again so brother #1 doesn’t get jealous of brother #2′s cool new ride-on toy.

Once you have finished, simply flip scoot-along over, and go!

… and go….

… and GO!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend! We are not doing much since Andrew has to work, work, work all weekend long. But I am planning to make a big pot of my favorite crock-pot beef stew tomorrow. Look for the recipe in a couple of days!