Chris had a connection at work whose husband used to race dirt bikes with a now professional monster truck driver. He contacted him, who contacted someone who contacted Chris who set us up with a group of kiddos via Make a Wish. We have not pursued anything like this but we were grandfathered in in a way... I guess the kids we were going with were in a chapter locally, but there were also some from Mississippi, so I'm not quite sure. Basically given Owen's heart history the driver connected us to this awesome event.
We were so excited as well...I was rallying the kids up, saying thumbs up, and Ara put all of 'em up.
We got to the stadium early and the kids were good. They tend to behave well when I would expect them not to, which is nice!
Also, while we were waiting, Ara saw this sweet little girl and walked up to her. The other little girl knelt down and hugged her, and Ara hugged her right back. They stayed there for at least a minute, just hugging on each other. I took it in for a while, then pulled out my camera, since I was so prepared for documenting. The girls loved each other. Turns out, her name was Arabella. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? It was so crazy. What a sweet family they were. It was just serendipitous that the girls would hug it out for so long. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it again.
Once in, they got to meet pretend monster truck driver guys dressed as the real ones. Both kids were a little nervous of the large headed men. I don't blame them.
Of course we all had to get in there for a picture.
Another family photo op.
Owen had an opportunity to ride inside a monster truck. These trucks are designed to carry many kids and parents. We didn't really give him the option, and he followed me onto the truck. (Chris has been suffering from a weird vertigo-migraine thing lasting 1.5 weeks at that time so we had decided that I would ride with O). It was pretty crazy! It was only 2 minutes or so, thank goodness, as It was bumpy, windy, dizzy, wow... I was a little car sick myself. I thought that the drivers would take it easy, especially with special needs kids, but they sure didn't! It was quite a ride.
Owen saw this monster truck driver, Nicole, and wow, he was so into her he kissed her on the cheek! He was all about it! She loved it.
What a ladie's man!
Next up we walked to a different part of the pits for the meet and greet of the drivers. As we were walking up, Owen spotted Cam McQueen and says "Hi, Cam McQueen!!" Cam was stoked as well, especially kinda cool that a 4.5 year old knows you by your face!
At this point I was wearing Ara in the ergo carrier, filming with my left hand and taking digital photos with my right, as well as breaks to be in the moment. It was just AWESOME! We were on such highs, and starstruck with and for Owen.
He was just looking around the crowd, recognizing faces.
He knows the drivers as he watched the monster truck DVDS during hospitalizations and not fun doctors appointments. That is the reason why he can recognize them and call them by names. When they drive they are all covered up with helmets and such. But on the dvd's they take their helmets off and talk about their races.
For some reason, 2 years ago, Owen decided that the truck Bounty Hunter was his favorite. Don't get me wrong, Jim Creten is an awesome driver, but for a 2 year old to say with confidence that his favorite truck (or thing for that matter) was Bounty Hunter, without even knowing what an actual Bounty Hunter was, was pretty funny. He has been his fave for years, so we were all excited to meet him. He was especially tender to Owen.
Also pictured, Candace Jolly, one of the female racers. (yes I know most of them by name as well). If you are boggled still, think of how most kids or girls like disney characters.
Disney characters: most kids : : Monster truck drivers: Owen. Does that make sense now??
Here is Dennis Anderson, the Gravedigger Driver. If you know one monster truck it is usually gravedigger.
Max D driver was really awesome as well. He invited Owen up into the monster truck. I didn't see any other kid get this opportunity. Owen was STOKED!!
Lifted him right up,
Owen has to sit alone, there is only one seat in there.
See through floor so they can see the ground when they are jumping.
Damon Bradshaw, our connection and friend. He was awesome, checked in with us, and made sure we were getting great treatment. He puts on an awesome show, and he is for sure another top fave!
Hugs from Cam
Two happy guys!
This was a dream come true for O, so of course it was for us as well. We were all so happy and on such a high. There is nothing like seeing your kid in their element. Owen was looking around the crowd, for the next driver, so thrilled to be there, so happy to meet the people he had only seen on screen before. What an amazing event Make A Wish put together!
