I first learned about Touch a Truck, an event to raise money and awareness for kids with special needs, from my friend, Kristie. She took her son, Mason, there last year. It cost $2 per child and is at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Norman. There are all kids of trucks from emergency vehicles, weather and news vans, mail trucks, semis, construction vehicles and military trucks. I didn't know about this event ahead of time, so Noah missed out last year. Then my friend, Tracy, told me she planned on taking her son, Knox. So I put Touch a Truck on my calendar because I knew my son would love it! And did he!
The first truck he wanted to see was, of course, the fire engine. It's comforting and something he knows. Then we headed to the trolley. Noah rang the bell.
There was a huge artillery gun parked out by the military trucks. Noah stood at the trigger end and I stood at the "deadly" end to snap a picture. I can't believe I stuck my face at the end of a huge gun...willingly...
The weather van was pretty cool. The computers were on tracking fake storms. Noah was interested in the tornadoes. I wonder if he gets that from his daddy?
We were lifted into the back of a Braum's ice cream truck. Noah liked going up and down. Once inside the truck's cargo area, we noticed how cold it was!! That delicious ice cream can't melt in transport!
I've never felt so small than inside of this bulldozer!!! That was pretty cool!!
The coolest "truck" Noah got to ride in was the helicopter!! That was definitely the highlight!
After Touch a Truck we headed to Noble, Oklahoma to attend Wildcare's Baby Shower. Wildcare is a non-profit organization that takes in injured wildlife. They rehabilitate, if possible, the animals with minimal handling so the animals remain wild. Once the animals are well, they are returned to their natural habits. Every year Wildcare opens its doors to the public to show off the animals, especially the babies, before they are returned to the wild.
A few months ago, we brought an injured red tail hawk, that Noah named Roger, to Wildcare. They were unable to help Roger. He suffered a broken back. However, they were able to send Roger peacefully off to be with Jesus. Since then, we've wanted to come back to see the little critters.
There were five baby raccoons that were so cute!! There were lots of squirrels even an itty bitty baby one. Of course, there were hundreds of birds - beautiful ones, noisy ones, plain ones and fancy ones. There were more opossums than we could count on our fingers and toes!! (We didn't share with Wildcare the fact that Cody had "taken out" two opossums at our house...Thought that should remain a secret...)
Baby squirrel
Baby opossums
Porcupine
Baby beaver - adorable!
Baby fox
There was a voting contest between some of the babies for "Cutest Critter" - fox, beaver, ducklings and a opossum. We agreed the beaver was the cutest and the fox was second.
We walked the entire 9 acres. There are many bird sanctuaries including a large pond for the water birds. There is a Canadian Goose who was born without muscles in his neck, so his neck lays on the ground. Other than looking awful, he is perfectly healthy. When he swims his head is under water. He has made friends with the blind geese. I'd say he has a much better life at Wildcare than he would in the wild. There are also hawk enclosures, a white tail deer run and bobcat cages. There are two bald eagles who are grounded that live at Wildcare, too. It was such an educational experience!! We're so glad we went!!
Roger the Red Tailed Hawk
