TO THE RESCUE

Last week I was scrolling through my FB when I saw our local police department had posted that the Fire Station was going to be hosting an Open House.  And it was going to be free!  I've always wanted to take the kids to visit a fire station; because they're young {and we have a dash of autism}, we want to make these things a little less scary for them in case of an emergency.  It just so happens that a fireman had visited Caleb's school just the day before, so fire safety was fresh in his mind. 

We arrived right when the event started and it wasn't very crowded.  My friend Sarah and her two littles were there and the kids were excited to see familiar faces.  

Lilly was a bit overwhelmed.  All of the firemen were eager to say hello, but she was in a funk and remained antisocial.  It's okay though, there was a lot going on.  I was so surprised that Caleb was doing so well.

After taking it all in, he ran right over to try on the fire fighting gear.

He was very impressed with himself {thanks, forward facing iPhone camera}.

He didn't want to put on the heavy jacket.  The fireman asked him as he was draping it around his shoulders from behind and I think it made him a little nervous.

They even had an ambulance to check out.

Here's Little Luke, or Lukebear as he's more commonly known.  His baby sister  kindof stole his fun since she needed another nap {how rude}, so they left a bit before we did.  HI SARAH.

Obviously Caleb was very interested in the hubcaps.  He likes his reflection and enjoys different perspectives.

I mean...

After he worked up the courage, Caleb jumped right into the driver's seat of the ambulance. 

And then he hopped on board a real big fire truck with dad.

We were also allowed inside the actual Fire House.  They were preparing the hot dogs for the grills outside.

Looks like Chief Campo wasn't too impressed with last month's response times.  Let's get it together, guys!

They even got to rock around in the LazyBoys.

All in all it was a great experience.  Do you follow your local civil servant groups on social media sites?  I do and I think it's a great way to connect with the community and encourage safety for all.  Thanks, FVFD!

SAFETY FIRST, FRIENDS!

Lilly Lately

I can say with confidence that we're nearing the other side of the terrible twos with Lilly. Last year was crazy. Not only was she going through her two-phase while TJ was deployed, but I also had to singlehandedly diffuse her tantrums so as not to upset her autistic big brother who's very sensitive to sounds {ahem Lilly likes to scream}.

A large part of breaking out of the twos has to do with TJ being home. She is in love with him! And it's so nice to finally be a team again. We've been more strict with giving her time-outs, we've cut out her binkies {WHAT} and...wait for it...we're potty training! I swear she's been using her words so much more since we've started, and as nervous as I was to jump into that {it took Caleb two years} I'm so proud with how good she's doing. 

I've also been doing a lot of praying. Praying that The Lord would strengthen our bond. That I would be more patient with her. And that our time together in these early years would be special. God has been so faithful in this time of growth with her. I'm so thankful. 

There are so many super spunky sassy sweet things I love about her. 

She'll hold any bug for any amount of time. She carried around her first sand crab, and while she lived to tell about it, the little sand crab did not {RIP little buddy}. She just loves crawly things.

She knows how to sweet talk her daddy into a new Merida doll and subsequently knows how to sweet talk her mama into letting her bring said Merida doll to the beach at sunset.

She can be found wearing a cape all day long. During crafts, during potty time, during dinner.

Not to be outdone by the capes are her numerous princess outfits like this one from Halloween. She wore it with muddy toes from finding worms in the garden while she ran back inside to see the few appearances of Glinda in The Wizard of Oz.

She's incredibly lucky to have her daddy throw her around at the request of "outer space, dad?" It's an evening occurrence.

How many rolly pollies will we find while big brother does OT this week? There are never enough.

She loves her reflection in the car. Wish we all had her perspective.

She's a bed jumper.

She can make any beanie work with any outfit {and for $2 who wouldn't #californiawinters}. 

When she fights a nap, she sleeps in the car on the way to pick up daddy from work.

She lets me live out my motherhood dreams like giving her rag curls {for the twenty minutes they lasted in her hair}.

She mini golfs with a purple ball.

Always purple. Always.

And we've newly discovered she's scared of earthquakes, or rumblings as she calls them. 

I'm so loved by her and so excited to be seeing more of her personality, her charm, humor, and excitement of life. 

Love you, my darling sweet pea.