A MUCH Anticipated School Day, and Goodies, to Boot!

I thought about keeping it a secret from the girls...but I just couldn't resist telling them over the weekend that they would be joined at school on Tuesday by FIREFIGHTERS!  I did hold off until yesterday morning to divulge that they would also get to see a FIRE TRUCK, up close and personal.

The girls were BEYOND excited for the day.

They've both been fascinated by firefighters for a long time now.  We have quite a few books about firefighters, "Fred the Firefighter" being one of B's all-time favorites.  She memorized every word in that book (and it's not short!) in less than a week.

The girls were interested in exactly how their day would go.  They asked to get to school early so they could have plenty of time with the firefighters.  HA!  Baby A said she wanted to ask if they have a dalmatian.  B said she would ask to see their axes.

The teacher sent home a note, saying that it's tradition to send the firefighters back to the station with a box of homemade goodies.  To accompany the pumpkin gingerbread I made, I let the girls help me with a couple of other goodie items.

We assembled a fall-themed snack mix.  The girls measured 1 cup each of pretzels, Cheeze-Its, party peanuts, and honey Cheerios.  They added a small bag of candy corn, and a bag (minus a handful [ahem]) of Reese's Mini's.  They loved dumping everything into a bowl and mixing it up.  They they held open the cellophane bags while I spooned in the goodies.

I love the way these look, tied with orange and black ribbon.

I've been itching to do a candy-themed message, seeing so many cute ideas on Pinterest.  I bought some gum and mints, and we put this together.

Baby A drew a fire truck to complete the gift tag.

...Extra gum and Mentos mints...

I SO wanted to ask if I could come take pictures of the kids with the fire truck.  I showed amazing restraint -- if I do say so myself! -- in resisting, though.

When I got to school to pick up the girls, one of the teachers was in the hall hanging some new artwork.  She was tickled to tell me what B had said.  As one of the firefighters was demonstrating the gear, he put on his face mask.  He asked if anyone knew what it was.  Speaking up for the three- and four-year old classes, B volunteered, "It's a breathing apparatus!"  (That's a part of the Fred the Firefighter book.)  Ms. G told me the fire chief laughed, "I'll take her for two of my rookies!"  HA!

The girls were so excited to tell me about the firefighters -- three men and one woman.  They got to see their gear, and climb on the fire truck.    

I think firefighters are a pretty amazing bunch.  They put their lives on the line to protect our communities...and they always seem to make time to spend in the communities, promoting such awesome goodwill.  I know this will be a day our girls will remember for a long, long time.