It’s been a few days now. Certain gifts have been tossed aside by both BigBrother and LittleBrother alike. You know, like clothes. They are, however, also fighting over certain gifts. I thought I would share the few that are definite hits in the FireFamily household.

Hits with BigBrother

Other than his bed, BigBrother is digging his Dinoco Helicopter from the movie Cars. It was the only thing that he asked for this year: a blue helicopter. He was enthralled with it on Christmas morning. It had to travel with us on Christmas Day. It went with him to visit Papau and Yia Yia this weekend and rode with him, in his seat, on his way back home. It is rather noisy, I admit, but it also makes me smile. (Recommended for ages 4-8 due to small pieces.)

Second in the love line is the Fisher-Price Little People Fire Truck Ball Pit (that I mentioned in one of our fire fighter themed gift guides). In fact, this is greatly loved by both boys. I will admit that the 25 balls that come with the ball pit are not enough to cover your foot and, as such, you need to get more balls. We have 100 more in there now and it seems to be enough (though I could probably fit another 100 in there just fine). BigBrother loves this fire truck. He likes driving and pretending that Fire Pup is sitting next to him (as he is painted on one window). LittleBrother loves climbing in and out. This was a dual hit.

Hits with LittleBrother

As you can see in this picture, LittleBrother loves his Vtech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train. I’m really liking it as well even if it doesn’t have volume control. (I really like when toys offer two options for volume. It’s my sanity switch.) All the same, he likes putting the letter blocks into the engine and watching them shoot into the caboose. I think that in itself is doing wonders for his manual dexterity because he also, probably the day after Christmas, was able to put money into his piggy bank. Yay for toys that aid in development! BigBrother also likes this toy and has been telling LittleBrother all about the letters. A bit above him, yes, but right now sitting, riding, pushing and playing with blocks are acceptable as well. (Recommended for ages 12 months – 3 years.)

He also likes his Playskool Wheel Pals Triple Track Tower (that’s a mouthful). This was a gift from someone and, I must say, a good one. LittleBrother will play with it without sound, just simply enjoying sending the cars flying with a press of a button. BigBrother insists on sound. I’ve had to help LittleBrother learn how to place the cars but he even enjoys when they tumble down sideways. He’s rather easy to please. (Recommended for 12 months – 3 years.)

Hits with FireDad

I’m sure that his answer will eventually be his laptop. But it’s being sent off for return and repair due to a backlighting issue (or lack thereof). So, right now? Call of Duty: World at War for Wii (with the shot gun thing) is his favorite. (A small note: no, he doesn’t play it when children are awake in the house.) I would like to brag a second about this gift. Three days before Christmas, he was talking about it. He hadn’t mentioned it before but he was suddenly raving over it and how someone at work said it was awesome. As he is telling me all of this, I logged into Amazon, put it in my cart (along with the gun thing), used a gift certificate, used my free Prime shipping and smiled and nodded at him the whole time. I’m rather sneaky.

Hits with FireMom

I’ll be honest. I’m pretty easy when it comes to gifts. But my favorite gift this year? (And I got some really nice things, folks.) It’s a laundry basket. With reinforced handles. No, I’m serious. Not only do I now have enough baskets for my laundering needs but this one is now my haul-up-and-down-the-steps-to-the-laundry-room basket. You know, since it has reinforced handles and isn’t all broken and, therefore, doesn’t fold in half when I try to pick it up and hold it against my hip. The lack of folding in half, of course, allows the clothes to stay in all the way up the steps. It’s a miracle!

There were many, many other toys and books and articles of clothing and games and so on. In fact, we’re going to have to make a new rule about presents and birthday/Christmas season for next year. But more on that tomorrow.

I mentioned at the end of yesterday’s firefighter book and movie guide that I was bringing you a bonus post today! I’m actually hitting on three “big” play things for your young firefighting enthusiasts that didn’t really fit in any other category. Sound the alarm!

I actually grabbed this Little People Fire Truck Ball Pit the night before Thanksgiving in another site’s sale. I sat there with it in my cart for awhile before deciding that, yes, I was just going to buy it. What’s not to love? It’s a fire truck! And a ball pit! It’s a double win! I can’t wait to see TheBrothers’ faces when they see it on Christmas morning. And, yes, I’ll be honest. I just want to sit in it. It’s true.

This fire house play tent is a good way to create a fire house atmosphere in any room. Also? I always wanted a play tent but I never had one. All the same, imagine your kids riding their fire truck ride-on(s) in and out of this tent on a cold winter’s day. It gives them the ability to think they’re outside playing (see the fake bushes?) and fosters imagination. That’s good!

And if you have more money than me, well, you can go the route of a Five Alarm Firehouse Playhouse. No, the Fire Family does not own this piece and, looking at the price, we will likely never own something on this level. (Though I’m pretty sure I can talk my Dad into making something eventually.) But really? Go look at that thing. It’s got a loft. And a pole to slide down. And the big barn doors! And! And! Okay, I’ll be honest. I want it just for myself. Not the kids. I want to go sit out there and read a book. And slide down the pole. Kind of. My guess is, again, looking at the cost is that many a firefighter’s kid won’t be playing in that particular house. All the same, maybe you have some rich relatives who are asking what Tommy and Janey want for Christmas. Start big. Go with this one. (Or? The even more expensive Olde Firehouse. Eep.)

I’ve really enjoyed bringing you a wide range of firefighter related gift ideas all week. I hope that you have found some ideas for your firefighter or fire truck lover. Happy Holidays from the Fire family!

Today I’m going to give you some gift ideas for books and movies that are about firefighting, fire trucks or firefighters in one way or another. One of the suggestions even has a Christmas theme with it. There are two separate sections: for the younger set and for adults. Why? I don’t think your three year old needs to watch Backdraft. I’m serious. Don’t do it.

For the youngest set, there are some great board books available with a firefighing theme. Fire Truck by Peter Sis is a great little book. The little boy imagines that he is the fire truck which made me smile as he shares a first name with my brother who wanted to be a fire truck when he grew up. Touch and Feel: Fire Engine is like any of the other Touch & Feel books. It’s simple, leaves room for other conversation and provides texture for the child to explore. While we own the previous two books, we do not own My Big Rescue Book though we do own another in the My Big Board Book series. If it’s like the other books, it will provide lots of new words for your little one to learn, lots of real-life pictures and hours of exploration.

For those children who can handle paper pages, the following books that we own are big favorites with BigBrother. Big Frank’s Fire Truck by Leslie McGuire has been a long time favorite, actually. The book tells the story of Big Frank from when he shows up for his shift at the fire department and takes readers through his busy day. In includes checking trucks, meals, naps (ahem, FireDad), an accident to which they respond and, of course, a big fire. At the end of the book, Big Frank goes home to his kids the next morning. BigBrother just loved that part. Flashing Fire Engines by Tony Mitton is a recent addition to our fire truck library. (We’re probably going to get the rest of his books as well.) It’s a quick read which makes it perfect for the ten thousand readings we’ve been through in the past month.

Perfect for Christmas (but one that we don’t own yet because I forget about it every year until after I’ve chosen our Christmas Eve book) is Firefighter’s Night Before Christmas by Kimbra Cutlip. Part of the Night Before Christmas series, it apparently chronicles Santa’s arrival at the fire house and a fire at a furniture store. I really need to remember to buy this for next Christmas Eve!

As for movies for the younger set: Elmo Visits the Firehouse might drive you insane if you can’t stand Elmo’s voice but the kids seem to love it. (Yes, we own it. Of course we do.) And Fire Monsters, while it may sound scary, is a great addition to your fire truck video library. It shows kids the training process to be a firefighter. Lots of sirens and a gruff sounding chief but BigBrother loves when I borrow it from the library (I should really buy it, no?).

And now, books and movies for the adult crowd.

If the firefighter for whom you are purchasing a gift is like the one living under this roof, chances are they might be a history dork buff. While Fires And Fire-Fighters; A History Of Modern Fire-Fighting With A Review Of Its Development From Earliest Times sounds a little bit dry to me, my guess is that a history-buff-slash-firefighter would find it very interesting. The description says that the book actually includes early books which are no longer in print and, as such hard to find, in one, modern book. Very cool, if you ask me. (But I’m also a dork.) Firefighters: Their Lives in Their Own Words by Dennis Smith sounds like a positive but realistic book about fire life from the mouths of those living that life. (In fact, now I want this book.)

For those of you who are purchasing a gift for a Christian firefighter, grab up a copy of The Firefighter’s Bible. I got this for FireDad two Christmases ago. It’s a beautiful, leather-bound edition with the Maltese Cross stamped in gold on the front. It’s very nice.

As far as movies go, there are, of course, the classics. Backdraft is one that is watched in our house about once a season. (Though we don’t own the 2-disc anniversary edition!) (Also? Just writing this makes me want to go watch it.) If you haven’t yet seen Ladder 49, you also need to add it to your fire movie library. Though, once again, have your tissues ready. I swear. Someone needs to make a happy firefighter movie. Seriously.

Also? If your firefighter is a fan of Backdraft, consider grabbing the audio CD so they can play the music and feel like a hero even when walking around the house. Right? Win. (And, yes, we own it. I swear. What? It’s good music!)

All this week Stop, Drop & Blog will be bringing you gift ideas for the firefighters or fire truck loving children in your lives! And while I said today would be our last day, I have an extra special surprise for tomorrow. Be sure to tune in!

Coming at you late today are a few ideas for the adult firefighter in your life. Of note: I 100% came at this from a woman purchasing for male. All sites linked, however, include many items for female firefighters. I do have an upcoming post featuring female firefighter paraphernalia. I promise!

If the firefighter in your life is like mine, it is likely that they get an early start on their shift day. If you live in a climate like ours, that means it could be pretty chilly outside at that time. Get a hat to keep that head warm! Always losing the keys or can’t see to unlock the door when coming home late at night after a long fire? Get a keychain that lights up! And a tie would be a nice way to keep a male firefighter feeling macho when you throw him in a suit.

If your firefighter doesn’t have any collectibles, I would suggest starting a tradition this year. We have quite a few in the Fire House but, I’ll be honest, they’re put away right now. (You have seen pictures of TheBrothers, right?) We have quite a few of the Vanmark Red Hats of Courage line. Some of my newest favorites are Unseen Guardian and Hero X (which isn’t available until January 09 but, wow, it’s nice). And? I just saw for the first time ever while writing this post the Vanmark Firefighter Chess Set. Wow. That’s amazing, no? I’d like two. Or something.

Something else that I came across for the first time while researching for this post was the Firefighters Express Electric Train Collection. My jaw kind of hit the floor. While you may think BigBrother is the biggest train lover in our house, FireDad has a secret love of all things train. And this train? Is gorgeous! Seriously. I’m drooling. Do you own this? Is it as nice as the picture makes it look? Because wow.

You also can’t go wrong with tshirts. There are some nice, safe ones that simply say firefighter. Then there’s a new site that I just found that has unique shirts for men and women.

There are also some books and movies that the firefighter set might like but I’ll be discussing those tomorrow! And don’t forget to grab an ornament to mark the year!

All this week Stop, Drop & Blog will be bringing you gift ideas for the firefighters or fire truck loving children in your lives! Tomorrow is our last day and I’ll be highlighting books and movies for all ages of fire fighting enthusiasts.