Go Karts!

Yet another one of Matthew's 8 while 8 outings completed. And what a doozy! We traveled to K1 Racing in Indianapolis, IN for the full indoor racing experience. Maybe it was too much for our sensitive Matthew. While waiting for his first race, Matthew watched in horror as a posse of 8 full-grown men tore around the track at top speed...tires squealing, some racers sliding into the barriers right by us...he grew pale.

We had to reassure him repeatedly that the kid races were much slower with fewer cars and he could go however slow or fast he wanted. He didn't have to go fast. He was terrified of crashing...hitting the side rail or getting his by another kart was paralyzing him. We assured him that if he went slow, he'd be okay. I also reminded him about the "adventure mode" he discovered while camping. When we're out camping, he gets braver and will take more risks. Nothing ACTUALLY risky, of course, since this is still Matthew, but he'll follow James' lead and try things that are normally too adventurous for him. He decided he could go into "adventure mode" for this race.

He agreed, but ONLY if:

1) James was in his race with him

2) He could go as slow as he wanted

3) There weren't many other people

He actually wanted to take the course entirely on his own, but that wasn't possible. People were assigned to races based on kart size (adult vs. youth) and the next available race time.

We lucked out. Matthew's first race was with James and only one other kid. Matthew was the first, so he inched out on the starting line at his own pace. Then he got the signal to go. James and the other kid scooted around him as he putted down the track at a nervous 2 mph. He did alright! Then, as he was making the final turn of his first lap, James and the other kid came up from behind neck-and-neck and trying to pass each other. Someone hit the back of Matthew's kart and the other one hit the barrier right next to him. Matthew completely lost it. The other boys recovered and zipped by, but Matthew was screaming and completely paralyzed in his kart. The race attendant didn't really know what to do at first. It was soon clear, though, that Matthew was not going to finish his first lap and would need to be escorted off the track. 

Whew.

He needed some time to gather himself together, but just couldn't get a grip while he was still in the same room as the racing karts. Alex gently offered to take him to the lobby/arcade while James finished his race. Matthew agreed. A few minutes later, they returned jubilant with an actual stuffy they had won from the Claw machine. We were all completely shocked! Those Claw machines are quite tricky. I'm counting it as a tender mercy from God. 

I'm so proud of Matthew for putting on his adventure mode and giving this a try. He's really had to push himself this year for these 8 while 8 goals!

Here are Alex and Matthew at the miraculous Claw machine where they were united with the newest member of Matthew's stuffy collection: Cheeseburger the Lobster. I'm really glad Alex came. He's super fun to hang out with and he's really, really empathetic to Matthew's anxious episodes. Also, James and Matthew feel like any outing with Alex is a special occasion. It makes it that much more special. Alex drove us there, actually, to get in more driving hours. There was construction and accidents, so a 2-hour drive turned into 3. Then, he needed one more hour of night driving, so we had him drive us out of the city itself...in the dark...through construction. Maybe that wasn't the wisest choice. We had a few close calls (not all of them Alex's fault), and Matthew almost hyperventilated due to the stress of it all, but Alex kept his cool 100% of the time. Seriously, this kid is way more capable than he gives himself credit for. 

Head sock. Feels and acts like a foot sock does.

Alex waiting for his race to begin. Alex raced twice and thought it was fun. He said he wouldn't really want to do it again unless he were racing with friends or family. The driving of the kart itself wasn't a big deal to him.

Enthusiasm at the front door. James is putting on his "picture" face. He totally does this on purpose.

Afterwards, we ate dinner at Cracker Barrel. James tasted the best mac and cheese of his life here.

Matthew ready for his race to begin.

James ready for his first race. This smile, ladies and gentlemen, is a real James smile. He was so excited for this race that he forgot to put on his picture face. James went on to run 3 more races. He was just the right size to race in youth karts AND adult karts. He ran a couple of each but preferred the kid races because they were easier to win :)