Day at the Fire Station

For play group this week, I set up an appointment with the local fire fighters at the station a couple of blocks from our house. I thought it would be fun for the kids and they loved it! The firemen took a lot of time to talk with the kids about being firefighters, showing them their equipment, the station, and the trucks.

The most important thing the guys emphasized is to not be afraid of fire fighters with all their gear on--to go to them if there is ever a fire. They had the kids practice yelling "Here I am! Here I am!"

The firemen had the kids hold the heavy hose nozzle.

One of the guys slid down the fire pole.

Sitting in the back seat of the ladder truck.

And the driver's seat of the pumper truck.

Bryce found the wrench used to open the hydrants.

Then they asked if any of us moms wanted to try on the fire equipment. I was volunteered...

This stuff is heavy--about 100 pounds, and is $2,000 worth of clothing and equipment.

I was already getting sweaty and couldn't move very easily before they put the air tank on my back.

My little assistant is always ready to help--no matter where we are.

Belt Stories

 Bryce has always had a fascination with belts and he really wanted to wear one of mine recently. I wrapped it around twice and Voila! It worked!

Bryce-isms

Some funny Bryce quotes from this week:

"'Scuse me Mamma! Dadda's driving! Get over!" after I had gotten the car out this morning for church and we were waiting for Jess.

"Dadda's not home! Yay! Turn it on fast (loud)!!"about the toy bus he rides around on which plays loud music (Jess understandably has a strong aversion to the noise coming from this small machine).

"Turn over! Turn over" for turn the car around when I am not driving the direction he thinks we should be going.

One morning recently, I was getting dressed after a shower and Bryce points at me and says "Mamma is a naked boy!"

This is an apron I sewed recently for a little girl for her birthday (she loves to paint and the fabric is waterproof).

Happy Birthday Mamma!

Yep, another birthday. Those candles are adding up and my mom is closer now when she says her oldest daughter is almost  30.

The pyro enjoying the candles and the prospect of ice cream!

Jess was so sweet and came home from a long day of clinical with an ice cream cake.

Christmas in Idaho

  We had a great time surprising everyone by showing up before Christmas this year. We lied and said we were staying in Cincinnati, which was the original plan, but as it got closer, we decided to come out for the holidays. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed catching up with everyone. Bryce had lots of fun checking out Grandpa's and Papa's tractors and equipment, playing with cousins, swimming, and lots of other things.

He got his hands on the huge block of cheese in the fridge and left a bite mark or two.

 Grandma gave him his FIRST hair cut!

And taught him how to play Angry Birds.

Besides Christmas itself (which for some reason we only video-recorded and didn't get any pictures!), one of the highlights of the trip was a tractor ride with Grandpa and Woodson.

 Hanging with cousin Woodson

Lots of Christmas Activities

Seeing Santa, of course

Visiting a petting zoo @ the German Christmas Market (which was alright, but nothing like the real thing!)

Making gingerbread houses

and decorating Christmas cookies.

Then licking the frosting off the Christmas cookies

Visiting the live Nativity Scene at the Krohn Conservatory

Enjoying the trains at the Krohn Conservatory

and checking out Santa's sleigh

Music class activities

Singing "Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer"

Performing in a live Nativity scene