The boys were enjoying themselves waiting in the non moving vehicle especially since they did not need to “buckle up.” Within a few minutes we saw the real life fire truck drive up into the park’s parking lot. The birthday boy’s mom was not back from getting hot tea, but we took the kids out to meet the fire truck and the firefighters (we did not want them to leave because no one was around). While the birthday boy was a little hesitant, my son excitedly ran up to the fire truck to get a closer look. At first the firefighters were a little bit confused; they were expecting a “birthday party” but they were greeted by two little boys, a baby girl, and an aunt and an uncle. My husband and I chatted with the firefighters while we waited for our sister-in-law to get back. While we waited, the firefighter’s showed the birthday boy and his cousin the fire hoses and explained how they worked and when and which ones hooked up to the fire hydrants. Once the birthday boy’s mom arrived with the hot tea, she filled out the necessary paperwork so that the birthday boy could go for a ride in the fire truck. In the meantime, the birthday boy’s dad and baby sister arrived and one of the firefighters gave all the kids stickers and temporary tattoos. The firefighters walked to boys (with the moms and dads following) around the fire truck to check out the numerous interesting things on the truck. They got to “try” to lift the firefighter’s ax, boots, and coat. They also got to try on the firefighter’s hat. The whole time my (our) son was super excited; ready and willing to explore all the different parts of the fire truck, while his cousin, the birthday boy, timidly followed his cousin’s lead.
(To be continued …)