Firehouse Fun!

A stay at home dad from the Highland Mommies group I am in organized a "field trip" for the little 2 year olds born in the second half of '07. This is a massive group of over 1600 moms and dads that live in our neighborhood. There are so many kids, that now they have divided into sub groups. LT is in the first and second half of '07(I squeezed my way into this group) and Adler is in the second half of '09 group. I don't do much with them because of all the wonderful friends LT met through various other ways, but I do enjoy getting together once in awhile with those kids from the neighborhood who are LT's age. Today we went with that group to the Firehouse that is a few blocks from our house and had an excellent hands on tour of the station. We also invited Joe and Zack (neither live in our neighborhood, but I thought they would enjoy it).
LT watching the fireman put on the full firefighting gear. It took the guy about 10 minutes to put everything on, I am assuming in an emergency situation he could cut that time back a bit!
The fireman showing the kids the full attire.
Joe at Tenn St coffee getting some snacks before heading to the firestation. I took more pictures of Joe today than any other kid (yes, including LT), and I came home with only THREE that show his face. This kid is fast (and my camera is slow).
Joe and Zack watching the fireman demonstrate something.
Isaac came fully prepared with his firefighting hat and firetruck.
Zack and LT driving the truck.

Isaac, Joe, Zack and LT outside the station after the tour.
I love this picture, the two kids gazing at each other, not quite sure what to say or do.

Dad and Babe

Adler watching Dad
And mom
And a small smirk.

Steele

LT starts at a cooperative preschool in January, 1 morning a week for about 2 hours, sometimes with mom there. Its not a huge commitment, perfect for him to adjust to school after having been at home all his life with family. Z and Isaac, two of his best buddies, will be joining him.
We took him to the open house last year before we applied and he made himself at home, playing with all the toys. The school philosophy and feeling reminded both Brian and I of Montview, where we went to preschool. It is a quaint little house, snuggled right in the neighborhood we live in. There is only one room and a tiny playground. There are two teachers and only one class/age there at a time. We both feel very confident in our decision to send him to Steele (and everyone knows how ridiculously picky I am about education and schooling...)
His little class has regular playdates so that the kids, and moms/dads, can get to know each other. Of course, LT gravitates towards the two kids he knows, Z and Isaac. Who can blame him though, most of us, when we walk into a party, find those people we know first.
This past play date was at the school playground. LT really didn't want to leave when the playdate was over. He wanted to go inside the school (which he hasn't been inside since the open house, last winter). I told him the school was closed, but I asked him why he wanted to go inside. He said, "they have blue bears and red bears and green bears". This is all true. When we were at the open house, he played with little colored counting bears. Not only does he have a pretty good memory, but I think the school planted a positive experience in his brain. I am sure this school adjustment will be much more difficult for me than it will be for him.
Z and LT loading up dump trucks.Isaac having a little snack.LT and Z having a little snack.
And Z and LT back loading dump trucks.

Tuesday

We have no idea where LT got this idea, but everything in his mind happens on Tuesday. If we say no to buying something for him, he instantly replies, "maybe on Tuesday". If he asks to go someplace and we say it isn't open, he replies, "maybe on Tuesday". He's never upset about it, just replies in a serious tone that it will happen on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to capture a candid response, despite it happening nearly every hour every day, but in this video he was enthusiastic about being video taped with his "tuesday" responses.

Nature and Science

Last Thursday, our playgroup met at the Nature and Science Museum. It is such a big place and the kids all have different interest and so it ends up being hard to stick together. LT and Sofi, however, were determined not to lose each other. Renee and I were chatting when all of a sudden she whispered to me to look at our kids. I am still not sure who initiated holding hands, but they were. And, they continued to hold hands from the first floor Space exhibit...
Up the stairs...through the entire first floor, onto the elevator and up to the kids section. LT made sure he was the leader and helped Sofi up the staircase. At one point they had to do a U-turn because they had missed their turn, this was no problem. LT somehow managed to hold her hand, spin her around like a professional dancer and head back the other way, never dropping her hand.