Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live: Monster French Toast

In general, I don't believe in gender norms.  My kids are well aware that there's no such thing as "boy toys" or "girl toys."  And yet, there's just something about monster trucks that attracts them in a way that I simply don't understand and never experienced.  Giant, loud trucks hold no appeal for me, but my husband and both children are wide eyed and absolutely awed by them. 

We've never been to Monster Jam, the quintessential monster truck show, but when Thatboy saw that Hot Wheels was now presenting their own monster truck show, he texted me that he wanted to get tickets and go as a family.   We all had a fantastic time and I threw together some tips for anyone who may be attending the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live show in the future.

Before The Show

• Ear protection - this is an absolute MUST.  Those trucks are loud and purposely so.  You'd think they got bonus points for being the noisiest.  While Thatboy and I grabbed some cheap earplugs that fit in your ear, I wanted the headband variety for the boys so we wouldn't have to worry about them falling out.  

Special tip: If you don't grab them beforehand, they do sell these type of ear protection at the show for $10, which was about the same price as some of the cheaper options from Walmart, Home Depot, etc. 

• Pre-show - Get to the show early and you can see the trucks up close and personal!  The drivers and trucks are all out on the floor until about 30-40 minutes before the show starts, when they start clearing the floor and getting it ready.

• Toys - I did the typical Thatgirl pre-prep and got each of the boys a monster truck before the show so they wouldn't ask for something at the show.  They did the typical kid thing of asking for something at the show anyway.  I wanted to point out that at the show they sell toy replicas of the monster trucks that are featured for less than I was able to find anywhere else.  So if you do get suckered into buying something for your children there, just feel good about the fact that you're not overpaying.

• What you DON'T need - I did a lot of reading before attending the event, but there was very little about the Hot Wheels show.  There was a ton about Monster Jam, which is apparently much dirtier and much colder?  All the reviews said to bring eye drops for the dirt and winter coats because they keep it really cold inside.  Neither of those was true for the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live show.  

During The Show

• The Trucks - The premise of the show is a competition between 6 trucks for the cup.  Thatboy was very excited that one of the trucks was Bigfoot, the original monster truck.  We had the kids each pick their favorite truck to cheer for, which made it even more fun.  Thatbaby chose Tigershark while Thatkid cheered for Bone Shaker.

• Terminology - The competition consists of 5 different events.  Wheelies, which are when the trucks "jump up" on their rear tires and try to get as much air as possible.  Donuts, where the cars spin in circles.  Long Jump, which is self explanatory.  Hole Shot Racing, which is a race between two of the trucks.  Freestyle, which is a chance for the trucks to combine as many of those previous events as they'd like to and show off.

• Megasaurus - There is an intermission, and right before intermission, there's a special treat.  A truck that turns into a fire breathing dinosaur.  The dinosaur rips apart and "eats" a car right before your eyes!

• BMX - My favorite part of the show came right after intermission.There's a BMX expo with 3 BMXers doing flips, tricks, and death-defying feats.  It was terrifying and exhilarating, and much quieter than the trucks.  So something for everyone?

I've come to the conclusion that everyone loves monster-sized things.  Monster trucks, monster sales, and in my family, monster breakfasts.  This oversized french toast grows when you cook it, thanks to the fact it's made from canned biscuit dough.  Plus, it has the added benefit of being baked in the oven, so it's perfect for serving a monster crowd!

Monster French Toast

1 can of buttermilk biscuit dough (I like Trader Joes, but obviously any can will do)

1 Tbsp sugar

3 tsp cinnamon, divided

5 eggs

1/3 cup milk

2 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Coat an 8x8 baking dish with baking spray.  Cut each biscuit dough into 6 pieces.
2. Combine sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon in a large bowl.
3. Place dough pieces in the bowl, tossing to coat them in the cinnamon and sugar.
4. Cover the bottom of your baking dish with the coated pieces.
5. Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and remaining cinnamon.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the dough.  Bake for 35 minutes and serve hot!