Also, can someone hold a fundraiser for new curtains? Yikes.

While I was proud of my husband, I was also paying a lot of attention to one little boy hidden among the legs of firefighters as he took in the ceremony. If he ever becomes a firefighter, it’s because of little moments like these. Well, and the smoke in his blood. It’s there; ask any firefighter who begets a firefighter who begets a firefighter.

The award comes as a result of a call that many of my followers watched play out on twitter. A mayday was called, the first ever for our city. And the bravery and teamwork of others brought everyone out safely. The article in the paper describes it as “acts of valor.” Any firefighter knows that’s just the stuff that sells newspapers. FireDad tried to shrug it off. “It’s just my job.”

His award was the Unit Citation which is given for “a team effort under combat situations including all participating staff members who, in support of departmental operations, distinguished themselves to effectuate the protection of life and property.” Which again, FireDad will tell you is just a fancy-pants way of saying he did is job. Whatever the case, I’m proud.

And so are these boys.

And I’m proud of the other firefighters who received medals yesterday too.

But speaking of pride, do you remember the test that FireDad took last month while I was away in Vegas? There was a delay in the reporting of the results. They were read today. FireDad passed! And placed high enough that he gets the promotion! WOO!

Yes, I think pride describes the past two days quite well.

Pride 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.

Merry Christmas (Eve) from the Fire Family!

Christmas Eve 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.

I tagged along on my first field trip ever. I was nervous about how BigBrother would act, mainly because it’s his “turf.” I was pleasantly surprised and very proud of my little firefighter. FireDad was as well. Speaking of FireDad, watching him give the speech about smoke detectors (you checked your batteries, right?) was the first time I got to listen to him speak. I was proud of him, too.

The highlight of the trip, however, was the children getting to squirt water out of the fire hose. Despite having been to the fire department nearly once a week for five years, BigBrother has never gotten to use the fire hose. He was, well, I’ll let you guess his emotions.

Yeah, just a bit excited. A few more, because they’re too fun not to share.

This experience may have pushed him over the edge with the wanting to be a firefighter thing. Of course, when FireDad viewed these pictures, he admitted that he occasionally still feels the same way when he gets to play with the fire hose, too.

I’m only sad that I didn’t get a chance to spray it. Then again, I kind of loved capturing the joy of a firefighter with my lens. Maybe it’s meant to be this way.

The Joy of a Firefighter 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.

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Wordless Wednesday: Fire Department Lights 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.

I’ll start off first with two little playsets for your youngest wannabe firefighters. They’re both made by Gund (and we have one of them). The first is “My Heroes” Fireman set that comes with a fire house carrying case, fireman, dalmatian and a water bucket. The little carrying case even has a little road in it. It’s adorable. The other is almost the same but is a Fire Truck playset. The top of the fire truck unzips to reveal a fireman, dalmatian (which barks) and fire hydrant (which squeaks). LittleBrother enjoys putting things (anything!) into and taking things out of the fire truck. They are soft, durable and, win, washable!

If you’re very into wooden toys for your children, the options are endless for you right now when it comes to fire houses and playsets. There’s the KidKraft Fire Station which is brightly colored. I must say that I enjoy the black and white checkered floor on the upper level of this fire house! It was also an award winner in 2005. To boot, this one is set on a swiveling base so it turns 360 degrees. No getting up to walk around the table just to get to the other side! This one from FAO Schwartz is big! It stands 14 inches tall and is 26 inches wide! WOW! I love the little bunk beds in the sleeping quarters of the fire house. It is, of course, rather pricey but pretty darn nice. Surprisingly less pricey and less detailed but just as fun (because it is a fire house) is the one offered by Pottery Barn. As I said, because I saw it in person, it does have less detailing and, unlike the other two, the fire trucks and firefighters are sold separately. (The two previous ones included fire trucks, firefighters and other accessories.) But if you have to go Pottery Barn, it’s an option. This one from Small World toys isn’t too shabby either, featuring more bright coloring (not all red). It, unlike the Pottery Barn, also includes many accessories. Because they’re smart.

For kids a bit older and still in love with fire fighting, this playset is too awesome. I’m infatuated with it. It starts out as a fire truck and then unfolds into a whole playset. It’s a like a transformer but cooler! I can’t tell if it “holds” regular Hot Wheels sized trucks and cars or if they would be Matchbox car size. (Anyone know?) Too fun! Just fold it up and go!

I could really go on for hours. Mainly because I sit and look at these for hours. When they arrive in catalogs, I sit and drool and imagine and play with them in my head. We’re waiting one more year to buy one of these sets (meaning, the non-baby ones) as I worry that LittleBrother will swallow a chair or something. But you can bet that one of these will be on our Christmas list next 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 I’ll be highlighting some gifts for the adult firefighters on your shopping list since I’ve just spent two days focused on toys!

2008 Firefighter Related Gifts: Playsets 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.