Hanging Out at the Fire Department is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Let’s see what’s new this year.

We’ll kick it off with this Hurrying Downstairs bear (Hallmark, 1996) which is reminiscent of last year’s (er, all time?) favorite, “Fire Pole Dancer Santa.” This little bear strikes me as a bit more innocent — and not drunk. Or stripping. He has a front spot this year.

I bought a lot of six of these Faithful Fire Fighter (Hallmark, 1993) dalmatians. That’s right. Six. Mainly because I forgot I grabbed one just before Christmas last year, so now we have seven on the tree. They’re pretty darn cute, dotting the tree. I felt pretty awesome for finding a lot of six, no box, for the price of one regular Hallmark ornament though. Best price record!

I bought Donald the Firefighter at the Disney Store in Times Square when I went to NYC for BlogHer Writers ’11. I think that trip made a new shopping goal for trips we make: trying to find a firefighter themed ornament. It could be fun!

I kind of love this Firefighter Wreath (Hallmark, 2006) ornament. I’d kind of like to have a real sized one on our door. An old hose, a bell, a glove and an axe. Well, minus the axe. I think an axe on your door says, “Hey! Break me down!” Let’s not go that far.

These three small ornaments are nothing spectacular, but deserve to be featured as they are new to the Fire Tree. On the left we have North Pole 911 (Hallmark, 1995). It’s a mouse, and as such, it’s very cheesy. In the center we have Hallmark Miniature Series Ornament Fire Brigade #3, 2006. It is very small. I have another miniature on the tree somewhere — and have lost it. I may have to start a miniature tree for these specific “miniature” ones. I’ll consider it for next year. Last we have Firefighting Bear (Hallmark, 1994). The whole “Red Hot Holiday” is very Holiday Innuendo Guy.

This is the Snoopy I mentioned scoring right before Christmas last year. I love him lots. He’s hanging out right in FireDad’s eyesight when he’s relaxing in his recliner.

Of course we have the annual ornament from Robert’s Fire Catalog from 2010. I’m sure 2011 will join us this year, even though it’s blue.

And now? The best find of 2011. Sadly, it’s not as funny as last year. But it’s a hard find. And it’s mine.

Mmm-hmm. That’s a Santa’s Fire Engine, Here Comes Santa, from 1985. I won’t really get into the ages that FireDad and I were in that year, but know that FireDad already knew he wanted to be a firefighter. So it’s a welcome addition to our Christmas tree. There are about a dozen or so of these on eBay right now, ranging from $0.01 (overseas, beware) to $45.00! I think $12.00 — shipped — is a fine deal for an old ornament!

I realized this year that I need to start a spreadsheet (yes!) for all of our firefighter ornaments, specifically the Hallmark ones. While I enjoy having seven fire dalmatians on the tree, it wasn’t a purposeful purchase. Keeping track will help avoid wasted shipping. Then again, what’s the harm in more firefighter ornaments? I mean, I’m pretty sure Santa already has two more Hallmark ornaments in the plans for this year, as well as that stinkin’ blue one. I’d say that I’m banning myself from eBay until after Christmas is over, but we know that won’t happen. I have my eyes on a 2003 “Ruff and Tuff Hero,” which I haven’t been able to score as of yet. If you get it for me, I’ll love you forever!

I think I have to start another post as well for the other firefighter Christmas stuff we have around the house that can’t actively hang on the tree due to size. Look for that soon!

Fire Tree, 2011 is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Ignore Santa’s glassy gaze and instead look at the joy on Booey’s face.

… but it’s also riding in that fire truck with Santa in the parade.

(And staying warm and dry while everyone else is cold and wet. Score.)

Santa Came to Town on a Fire Truck is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Before I even got into Manhattan, my swiftly moving taxi sped by this FDNY Haz-mat truck.

On our way to FDNY Zone, we actually ran into a real fire truck.

There was a firefighter sitting in the truck, taking notes on something. He kind of looked at me like I was somewhat insane. I didn’t feel like explaining that I was a fire wife, taking pictures for the husband she left at home. He probably knew that anyway.

I always love visiting the FDNY Zone for the gear…

For the badges…

Later in the day, we were bopping through Times Square when I saw one of the stands selling “antique” signs.

Of course, I ended my trip with some fire trucks and ambulances that weren’t FDNY but were Baltimore Washington International personnel responding to the Southwest airplane and jet fuel truck accident. Yes, that was the plane I was supposed to board.

Lastly, a Columbus firefighter responded to a lady and her seizure dog as we were waiting to board our delayed flight.

I’m not usually surprised when I have firefighter related experiences when I travel, considering I actively seek some out, but this was a firefighter heavy trip. That’s for certain!

[* = Post title from one of LittleBrother's favorite DVDs. The song will get stuck in your head forever. You are welcome.]

Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks* is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Or so we thought.

We were fans of the original ad featuring Marlene Quinn relating a story about how Cincinnati firefighters saved her great-granddaughter. She wants people to vote no on Issue 2 so that our firefighters aren’t stripped of so much — too much.

This ad? Was Marlene’s same exact story with voice overs explaining how voters should vote YES on Issue 2 in order to save firefighters. It is horrible confusing for viewers, for voters, for everyone. FireDad and I just looked at each other. “Is that even legal?” I didn’t know the answer, but I knew that “it” was about to go down.

Here’s a comparison of the two ads so you can see what is going on:

We Are Ohio put out a petition late this afternoon asking for the removal of the political ad. In the email they sent out, Marlene spoke up about how she felt that the supporters used her video footage to confuse voters.

I think it’s dishonest and downright deceitful that they would use footage of me to try to play tricks and fool voters. It’s insulting to the brave firefighters that saved the lives of my grandson and my great-granddaughter Zoey.

I’m outraged. They did not ask my permission. I feel violated.

I want to stop Senate Bill 5. Everyone should vote No on Issue 2.

Let’s be honest: A group of people who would use someone’s very personal words in a way that was the direct opposite of which she intended them to be used doesn’t care about voters. This wasn’t just a personal affront against an old lady who has an opinion. This is an assault on the voters of Ohio. This is their only way of making this seem like a good idea. And even people who believe that Issue 2 is a good idea should be deeply concerned that their leaders are acting in such a manner.

A Cincinnati firefighter who responded to the fire where Zoey was saved from the fire asked for the ad to be pulled as well.

Reports on Plunderbund show that Building a Better Ohio finally issued a statement, and that they don’t care that they’re playing fast and loose with voter’s understanding. They don’t care about their voters, their voters’ comprehension of what is going on or the morality of using someone’s words in a matter that they did not intend. They simply want to win. It’s disgusting.

Columbus stations — except for WBNS, owned by the Dispatch group — have pulled the ad. I urge my Ohio readers to sign the petition to get the ad pulled — and, of course, to Vote No on Issue 2.

Sign the Petition So Voters Aren’t Confused About Issue 2 is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

He stands on tippy-toes and pushes himself up onto the fire truck, legs dangling and kicking as he uses all of his strength. He climbs up into the seat and yells, “I can buckle myself, Mommy!” Silence falls on my ears as he sits still for a moment, for a lifetime it seems. Rustling sounds let me know he’s moving again, and suddenly he’s peeking up and out the window. “I see you!” Laughter echoes off the ceiling of the fire department garage, raining down on me as I sit and soak it up.

He climbs down the same way he climbed up, toes extended and searching for that first touch of solid ground. As soon as he finds it, he’s off running down the length of the truck. Away from me. His left hand follows the curves of the trucks as he runs on by, up and over the scoops of the wheel wells and all the way around the bumper until he disappears. I lean down and watch his feet coming down the other side of the truck when he comes back around the front, hand still tracing the shape of the truck, fingers squeaking on the clean surface.

He stops and stares at his reflection in the chrome on the front of the truck; a smile, a funny face, and then, of course, more laughter. He looks at me. I stare at him. I don’t think I smile; I just stare. He breaks into the grin that is his and his alone; no matter how much he looks like his daddy, his smile is his very own.

“I love you, Mommy.”

More laughter, and then he was off and running, feet on the smooth concrete. I watched him go.

“I love you too, Booey,” I whisper; my voice echoes not through the garage but through my soul.

Echoes at the Fire House is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

We honored their memory today. We remember them always.

We Honor is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

FireDad and I chose not to heed that advice.

The two of us were watching some documentary coverage on the National Geographic channel when BigBrother came upstairs after his computer time expired. He began talking immediately, but paused in front of the television. The timeline of events had brought us up to the collapse of the towers at that point; the rolling smoke and ash, the rumble, the whoosh. BigBrother was silent, which is shocking in and of itself.

Finally, he spoke. “Mommy, what was that? Was it a tornado?”

“Well, no, Buddy. Remember the books we’ve read, like Fireboat, about those big buildings? Do you remember what happened?”

“Yeah. Planes hit them.”

“Yes. And then what happened.”

“They caught on fire.”

“Yes. And then what happened?”

“They fell down.”

“Yes. What you just saw was video of the buildings falling down that day.”

At this point, LittleBrother had wandered upstairs from the playroom, looking for his brother. He listened to our conversation as he stared at the screen. As soon as he heard Fireboat, he went to get the book from his room. The book is “well-loved” now; a page is ripped, the corners are bent back, the spine won’t last forever. LittleBrother turned to the page where the buildings are crumbling.

“See. Like this, Mommy.”

“Yes, Bubba.”

FireDad and I exchanged looks when BigBrother walked into the room; an unstated question passing between us. “Do we let him watch this? Is this okay?” There was an imperceptible nod, an understanding. Yes, we would let him. And when his brother came upstairs, we would let him as well. Maybe it’s because we’ve been reading these books for years. Maybe it’s because I have involved them when we pay tribute to those who lost their lives. Maybe it’s because they know the significance of the number “343.” Maybe it’s because we don’t shield them from the news about tornadoes or hurricanes or bus accidents or what have you. Maybe it’s because BigBrother is crazy interested in the world, in what is happening, in the why of it all. But they weren’t upset. They weren’t angry. They asked their questions, they compared the footage with their books, and then they asked for dinner.

Life went on.

If the footage had been focused on those who were jumping from the World Trade Center that day, I might have changed the channel. It’s one thing for them to understand planes hit a building and people died. It’s another thing to have to explain giving up hope and letting go. But I feel okay with letting them watch those majestic towers fall, to see the ash cover everything, people running away from the cloud, the firefighters standing among the wreckage.

Like most parenting decisions, I can’t and won’t really ever know if that was the right decision. They haven’t brought it up again, though I think they may after we attend the 9/11 memorial on Sunday morning. I’ll answer their questions with the reminder that I always give them after a big scary topic: “Mommy and Daddy will do whatever we can to keep you safe.” I’m not telling your family to do it our way, I’m just simply sharing what happened… not on purpose, but kind of by default like most of the “stuff” of parenting.

And I have hope that after FireDad and I leave this Earth, our sons will remember and teach their children as well.

I Let Them Watch Coverage of 9/11 is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Question: What kind of bugs do firemen really dislike?

Answer: Fireflies.

You’re welcome.

Firefighter Joke on a Popsicle Stick is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

And so, here we are.

He wasn’t really pleased that I was taking a picture before we left for camp. But, come on, that brick wall was the perfect photo opp. Don’t make that face at me, Mr. Mustache Man!

And so, there it is. The mustache. It’s funny to me. Not the mustache, but how used to it I am. The family photos on the wall from this past fall? When I look at them, I think his upper lip looks… well… weird. The mustache has grown on me. Well, it grew on him, but I’m used to it now.

Apparently I am finally married to a real firefighter.

Speaking of mustaches, however, the boys found fake mustaches in the bookstore at camp. BigBrother was very excited. “We can surprise Daddy when he comes down to camp! It will be SO funny!” And so when FireDad walked in the door, we went running upstairs to be-mustache ourselves.

Can’t see? Let’s look closer.

FireDad was deeply amused. He thought it was a fantastic surprise. The boys wore their mustaches for the rest of the day, though I was a mean mommy and made them remove their fake ‘staches for their program. I thought it would be distracting for the other kids. And parents. Funny, but distracting. “Mommy, why do you have umpteen photos of that kid with a fake mustache but only one of me?” I did it for the kids, folks.

But yes, the boys thought they were hilarious.

As did I. I’m surrounded by mustaches.

I almost bought FireDad some mustache business cards for BlogHer ’11, but basically ran out of time. It’s a shame. It’s just as well. He’s been threatening to spend the entire time in the Pacific ocean with aviator sunglasses and just a Speedo. You have been warned.

State of the ‘Stache: Where It Stands is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.