That day was today.

I tell you this now because I have purchased all of the sizes that we need. For awhile. So, we’re good. You can now purchase the shirt.

Some tips about purchasing from Threadless. This particular shirt is printed on a Threadless brand t-shirt for adults and hoodies. I find that Threadless shirts, while they don’t shrink, fit true-to-size if not a little small. I order myself a large to accompany my chest. (What?) FireDad still wears a medium. The children sizes are currently sold out on Threadless t-shirts (except in size 8 ) but are also available on an American Apparel shirt. American Apparel, after some research, is known to shrink one full size after washing and drying. You may want to size up. Consider this your warning. If you do size up and it doesn’t fit them yet, at least they’ll grow into it as opposed to washing it and having it be too small. Right?

Honestly? I’d go buy this right now if you’re interested. Why? This shirt sells out fast. As I said, the second time it was reprinted, I couldn’t purchase that week and they were gone before my next payday. In fact, the creator of this shirt said that they were sold so quickly that he didn’t even get to buy one himself. That’s crazy. Buy one now.

And, yes, I plan on having a full FireFamily photo in our matching shirts. All of us. I’m that cheesy.

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[I received nothing to make this post. In fact, I spent far, far too much to be able to write this post first in order to make sure I got all sizes in my cart and purchased before alerting the public. I wrote this post simply because I want my readers, who include firefighters and their families, to know of a great shirt that will likely only be available for a short time. I always Blog with Integrity. And man, I love t-shirts. And firefighters. And elephants.]

I love the colors on this cute, quilted Stephen Joseph backpack. I love the fire doggie (a hit with LittleBrother right now). I figure this particular bag would be most appropriate for a younger preschooler, not yet thrust into the world of Licensed Characters and Name Brand Stuffs. It has a unique drawstring closure under the flap and a roomy 14″ x 12″ x 4″ for everything a preschooler needs to carry to and from their school to your vehicle. The best thing about this bag? Machine washable. PERFECT for the younger set, no? It runs $21.97.

This Crocodile Creek backpack makes me laugh with the “sound” that the bag says that the truck is making. If you ask LittleBrother what sound a fire truck makes, he’ll tell you that it says (in a very high pitched voice), “WOO WOO WOO!” Not “Whirrrrrrr.” But you know, details. I like the mesh bottle pocket on the side of this bag as BigBrother has to take his (Lightning McQueen) water bottle just about everywhere. Handy little feature there! Again, the colors are bright and wonderful. This particular bag sizes in at 14″ x 11″. It runs $28.00 at Chasing Fireflies. It’s also available at Amazon for $25.95.

If you prefer to go the handmade direction, you can’t go wrong with this one from Etsy. I absolutely love it. Black and white and red and personalized. Just have your child’s initial or whole name added to the top and no one will be able to swipe their backpack. No confusion at pack up time. And really, what are the chances that someone else in your child’s class is going to have this backpack? It measures 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall, and 3.5 inches deep. Another nice, roomy backpack for the fire truck lovers among us. It runs $32.50 but, remember, buying handmade helps other families. Kudos!

If BigBrother wasn’t constantly wearing his Buzz Lightyear costume around our house and lasering things, I really would have gone the route of a fire truck backpack this year. Hopefully those who are searching for something for their little firefighter find this post useful.

Happy Back-to-School! (*enter sirens here*)

(And if you’re needing a variation on a fire truck backpack for an older tween, teen or college student, read my review on Feuerwear Bags. From purses to messenger bags to laptop bags all made from recycled fire hose. HOW COOL.)

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[No compensation was received for this post. I simply like fire trucks. I Blog with Integrity.]

But I didn’t want to spend the big bucks.

Sure, the Store That Has Everything from Eyeglasses to Olive Oil has some frames that fall under the heading of affordable. But their lenses are not particularly cheap. And if you want anything with any semblance of style, well, you’ll end up paying an arm and a leg. Furthermore, our new (!) eye insurance (that we’ve never before had) forces us to go to a higher end eye doctor. The exam is paid for and so are the lenses but… the frames… they are not. And, so, I was still unable to get something stylish for an affordable price.

Until someone mentioned Zenni Optical.

I will warn you, before you click on over, that you will spend hours clicking through the many options of frames. Funky frames. Platstic. Metal. Normal. Fun. Famous looking. And, if you haven’t clicked yet, you’re thinking, “SO?” Well, frames start at $8.00. I’m serious.

After searching for a few days (and searching for a few days longer to find my perscription that I knew I had in my large purse… somewhere), I picked out a pair. I chose this pair for the following reason:

1. They were a shape I had previously so I knew they wouldn’t be horrible on my face.

2. They were just a smidgen wider than my current pair so I knew they wouldn’t be too wide.

3. I had been informed by someone that black frames on my face were too harsh, to go with brown next time.

4. Did you see the sparklies? OOH SHINY!

5. They came in a variety of colors. So, I figured if I liked how they fit my face, I could order more!

I placed my order. My frames were $12.95. As I don’t need bi-focals (yet), my lens price was included. I did choose to pay an extra $4.95 for anti-glare coating. I don’t do tint or any of that other nonsense so, in the end, including $4.95 shipping, my price for a new pair of glasses was $22.85. Seriously. They gave their warning that it can take over two weeks for the glasses to arrive, which is only a few days longer than it takes the Store That Has Everything from Glasses to Diapers, and I figured it would be fine.

In the end, my glasses arrived four days sooner than their “earliest” date. I was happily surprised. I opened up the package and found the glasses in plastic case, complete with one of those rags to wipe off the lenses so, in theory, I don’t have to use my shirt. I immediately ran off to the mirror to put them on. As they were the same perscription, I didn’t have the usual “get used to a new perscription” headache. I had no issue with how they fit. And, bam, new glasses. New look. For under $25.00. That’s something I can handle! But how do they look on my face. Well, just fine! Thanks for asking.

Much more hip than anything I’ve ever owned. I’m still getting used to my reflection. I expect to see my boring old glasses but am greeted by these things. I think I like it!

I’ve been telling everyone about the site. Friends. Family. The older ladies in our chorale. At first they balked at the idea because they want their no line bifocals and figured that would put them out of the running for a decent price. Wrong. No line bifocals are only $29.95 for the lenses. Pair that with some frames like these that only run $12.95 and, well, you have a very affordable pair of specs!

In the end, glasses still need to be purchased whether you have eye insurance or not. Even in an ecomony that, well, stinks. It should be mentioned that Zenni Optical not only has stylish frames for women and men but affordable glasses for kids. That’s right. You could stock up on two or three so when you have a lost-glasses and/or broken-glasses catastrophe, you always have a pair on hand. (Shipping isn’t guaranteed to be faster than two weeks so stocking up is better than going two weeks without. Just a heads up.) This review was not paid for*… I chose to do this simply because I am so pleased with my experience. The shipping. The cost. The look. The choices available. And, yes, really, the cost is what is the kicker for me. I couldn’t not tell my readers. Plus, I know a friend of mine that has been lusting after a new pair of glasses for awhile. She should order today. Don’t you think?

Let me know if you order a pair!

[*Speaking of reviews, I have two new ones up today. One is a book tour for Out of the Mouths of Babes and one is a review of SYLVANIA PalPODzzz. Hit them up!]

Today I’m actually showcasing some of the best and/or most awesome wooden toy fire trucks and fire related toys on Etsy.

This little gem of a fire truck ($22) makes me smile. It’s short and squat and it just seems so happy looking, doesn’t it. The best part about this selection, which is why I put it first on my list: those removable ladders. They hang on little begs on either side of the truck. So the imaginary firefighters can throw the ladder up against the blazing house and rescue the imaginary people inside. It’s all very dramatic and fantastic, no? This one is made of pine which makes my nose happy just thinking about it!

The store in which this truck is available is SantaWood Shop’s Shop. Fire trucks are not the only offering, of course. There is, of course, another fire truck ($75). But also some amazing creations. And by amazing, I do really mean amazing. Most are very affordable as well. Some other ones are more expensive but, really, look at the detailing on the wooden circus train. It’s really quite amazing.

Next on my list of most awesome wooden fire truck toys is this fire truck (hook & ladder) puzzle ($17.95). Now, first and foremost, I love puzzles! I love wooden puzzles even more. And so a wooden fire truck puzzle sounds like the next best thing to sliced bread. Not only can you work on spatial skills with this jigsaw puzzle but, come on, it’s a fire truck. What’s better than a fire truck that is also used as a teaching tool. Absolutely nothing.

The best part about this particular piece? You choose the number for the side of the truck. I’m not sure a number like 37509607 will fit, so I’d go with single digits. This would be an amazing birthday gift for a three or four year old who is just moving into jigsaw puzzles and just so happens to love the heck out of some fire trucks. The store, featured in Cookie Mag in 2007, is serious about child safety as well. The pieces will not fit through a paper towel roll (which means no choking hazard) and are finished with non-toxic wood finish. Even cooler? This puzzle works both laying down and… standing up! And you just can’t beat the prize. Seriously. (Note: other puzzle designs and wooden toys available at the store.)

Pine Ladder Truck No. 2 ($17.50) is a long, long truck. Like the first truck I mentioned today, this one features removable ladders. But longer ones. For taller imaginary houses with harder to reach imaginary fires. Send both trucks to the scene and you’ll have all levels of your imaginary apartment fire taken care of with these two trucks.

As this particular truck has the headlights, wheel axels and tail lights glued on, it is not recommended for a child under the age of three (or, if your three year old still puts everything in his/her mouth, not then either). Heed the advice of the seller and, as the store states, know your child and buy accordingly. (What good advice!) And, again, some more great wooden offerings at their store (like that truck that holds crayons: awesome!).

Last but not least is this fire station with fire trucks ($28.00). As their blurb says, you can’t have a wooden city without a fire station. I mean, think about it. A wooden city? Without fire trucks? It’s an imaginary blaze just waiting to happen! (Take for example my own old hometown in which the fire house burnt down. Sad, sad.) Anyway, I must say that I agree. This would be a great addition to your wooden city and a colorful one at that! If your worried about that paint, the store claims that paints were made in the USA.

But, I’m going to warn you. Don’t go to their store. Because? You’ll want to buy one of everything. And in some cases you’ll want to buy two. There are a few other fire trucks available as well as some blocks, other trucks and other buildings.

If you end up buying something, either for your child or as a gift, let me know. I’m really considering purchasing one of these for myself. Or, uhm, I mean for the kids. The kids!

Thankfully, in September, I came across Lil Cubby on etsy.

Her store advertised a Boy Birthday Monkey Shirt that was too adorable. As I wanted to buy two at the same time, I started a conversation with her about buying two at once and the sizing that I would need for each boy. She let me know that she would set up a custom order for me whenever I was ready to officially purchase, let me know the turn around time and told me to get back to her when I was ready.

I replied on October 14th that I was ready to go ahead and purchase the two shirts together. She immediately set up my custom order and replied and I purchased through her etsy store on the 15th. On the 23rd, the shirts arrived in the mail and I was a happy, happy camper! They are absolutely perfect especially seeing as how LittleBrother’s big birthday bash as a monkey theme.

In our second conversation I asked if the two shirts could have different coloring with BigBrother’s being red and black (as his cake will feature Lightning McQueen) and LittleBrother’s being turquoise and yellow (matching his party decorations). I chose short sleeved shirts so they could wear a compimentary colored shirt underneath. I chose not to personalize their names on the back in the sole interest of saving just a few bucks since I was, in fact, buying two shirts.

The sewing is absolutely fabulous. Of course, this is coming from a self-professed un-crafter but suffice it to say that the lines are much cleaner than anything I ever attempted. The instructions do tell me that these are handwash items only so I do believe LittleBrother will take his off when it comes time to devour his cake.

I strongly suggest visiting Lil Cubby if you want a personalized shirt for a birthday boy or girl (they have a girl monkey, too!). And, with the holidays right around the corner, you should check out the Christmas offerings like the Christmas Elf Monkey or the adorable reindeer. The store has lots of other super cute offerings as well. And I feel absolutely comfortable in touting this store. My experiences with communication with the owner, the pricing and the speed of the turnaround and shipping were impeccable. If only national stores would work with this level of dedication to customer service, my blood pressure might stay in check!

I’ll be sure to post pictures of the two of them in their shirts together at LittleBrother’s birthday blowout later this month! I’m so excited to see them together in their shirts! If only they would ever look at the camera at the same time…

(I recently made a three-year-old birthday gift guide for a boy. I have one coming on Monday for a one-year-old boy, too! Stay tuned!)