Touch-A-Truck

On Friday, my mom and I took the kids to the annual Touch-A-Truck event in the city where Jason works. I haven't attempted going in about three years, as last time I was there Xander decided to hop onto a bus and I had to leave one-year-old Jordis in our wagon next to a police officer while I ran to retrieve him. But they can both walk a good distance now and I had help from my mom, so I thought we'd try again. Okay, that's only partly true. Jason is on first shift now and I think he looks hot in his uniform, so Touch-A-Truck is really an excuse for me to go see him at work. There, I said it.

After seeing Dad we moved on to the fire truck. Jordis wouldn't get on it though because she didn't want anyone to help her on or off.

The big favorite was the pink limousine from the Sweet and Sassy store. Before getting in Jordis got a star on her cheek and glitter in her hair.


They also tried out a zamboni, snow plow, dump truck, tractor and trash truck.

After saying goodbye to Jason we went to spend some time at the park, then my mom treated us to some Rita's Italian Ice. It was so hard to choose a flavor. Luckily they let you taste them first.

Xander had cookies n' cream, Jordis had Swedish Fish, I had Florida Orange and my mom had strawberry and lemonade (they'll let you pick two flavors in one serving if you want). It was such a great way to cool off on a hot day.

Cops N' Kids

Sunday was the annual Cops N' Kids event in Westerville. The kids have been looking forward to it for quite awhile and Xander even had to wear the hat from his police "uniform." Luckily there were no hurricane-force winds this year.

They got hats from the sheriff's office....

...free cotton candy, hot dogs and chips....

...and the chance to hang out in a highway patrol chopper.

The kids had a great time!

Vacation Bible School

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. The theme was Crocodile Dock, which was a Cajun theme that Xander loved. Tonight I heard him in his room through the monitor saying, "God is with us!" His first day was a little rough, but the rest of the week went great. Since I had to drive him there every day I decided to volunteer, and that was interesting. It reminded me why I'm glad I decided not to be a teacher.

I tried to take pictures of the backdrop, but one of them is a little blurry. And of course we don't have pirogues here, so a kayak had to suffice. One of the leaders is married to a man from Houma, so she pointed out one day that Blossom the Possum was wearing a purple bandana because he must be an LSU fan.

The kids also spent some time with my mom Thursday night so Jason and I could go to dinner and attend a memorial service for one of my former co-workers. They had a great time playing water boats in the tub and eating my mom's homemade popsicles.

On Saturday the kids and I went to Logan with my dad to the Washboard Festival. Xander had seen it on TV and we haven't seen my dad since April so I thought it would be a nice way to spend the afternoon together for Father's Day. My dad's parents are from Logan so we thought about visiting his aunt while we were there, but that didn't work out so well. All in all, it was a nice day though, and the kids loved riding rides and eating lunch at McDonald's. My dad did not love the whining, beating each other up in the back seat and the forcing of Xander to clean-up the trail mix that he threw all over the car.

After the festival we met my step-mom at Eagles Pizza by their house for dinner. I've always wanted to try their pizza and it was REALLY good.

Jason was working 2nd shift that night so we stopped to see him on our way home. They had fun visiting with him and two other officers, especially Mr. Travis. He came for dinner one time and read Jordis a book and drew sidewalk chalk with her, so she likes him a lot.

It was a tiring week so looking forward to this next being much more restful.

Cops and Kids

This past Sunday was the annual Cops and Kids event at Hoff Woods Park in Westerville. We thought the kids might like it, so we loaded them up and off we went to see cruisers, SWAT vehicles, mobile command centers, fire trucks, med flight, you name it.

To say it was a little windy would be an understatement. I've never really considered the fact that a hurricane could disrupt my plans here in Ohio. That's something more up Jason's alley. It was hot and muggy so the "breeze" felt nice, but we made sure we saw what we wanted to see and then got out of dodge, because we had the feeling we weren't going to be safe for much longer.

This better be the only time our kids are in the BACK of a cruiser.



Some of the more interesting vehicles we came across.




Jordis was clearly channeling a message to this firefighter that he had best remove her from the tiny space he hoisted her on to.


We got home and finished dinner just in time before the power went off and the neighbors starting losing vegetation. Luckily our swing set is still standing, which is more than I can say for the people 3 houses down.