Billy's Speech at Cub Scouts

Billy had to give a speech last night at Cub Scouts on something he really likes. No surprise he chose fire fighters....since that is his current passion. He took in Mickey's REAL fire helmet and 'turnout gear'. Here is a copy of what he wrote:

Firefighters

I did my report on firefighters in Harrisonburg. There are a couple of fire stations in Harrisonburg, and they include #1, #2, #3, #4 and #41. Some of these are shared as county stations. Station #1 is the main fire station, but station #4 has the most calls and runs.

My dad and my grandpa were both firefighters at station #4. My dad at one point was an assistant Chief and my Grandpa was a chief for Hose Company #4.

Gear:
Firefighters wear a special jacket that keeps them from overheating and getting burned. There are pants that do the same thing. Firefighters wear air masks to give them air in all the smoke. They also have a special helmet. It is shaped specially to shield your neck from ash and stuff like that. All the equipment is called turnout gear. There is another set of gear that is totally fireproof that firefighters would wear at an airport fire or a gas leak.

Trucks:
There are many kinds of fire trucks. These are some of them:

NOTE to ME: Talk about each!
Pumper
Snorkel
Rescue
Pick-up
Ladder truck
Squad
Foam Trucks
Ambulance
Brush Truck

Positions:
These are the ranks of fireman from the smallest rank to the biggest rank:
Firefighter
Lieutenants,
Captain
Assistant Chief
Chief

Crazy Hair Day

JJ has been waiting and plotting for this day for weeks....and it is finally here...crazy hair day! You should have seen his chest puff out with pride when walking down the hall this morning, and two girls 'Wow! That is some crazy hair!"

Billy was not going to participate, until the very last moment. Look closely, Hokie fans....the top is a VT!!! I think he was glad he got in the spirit as people at school kept saying, "Yay! Hokies!"

A Very Handsome Cub Scout

In his brand new uniform.....

Aunt Rosie!

Nana and Pop got a new puppy from the SPCA last week, so that means Billy and JJ have a new Aunt.....Rosie!


From Billy: Roise is awesome, I am so glad Nana and Pop got her. It is so fun to play with Rosie. She is really cute and active and is a very good dog. I love her very much.

From JJ: Rosie is nice because she is a dog. I like to play with her. Rosie is Nana and Pop's puppy. I love her.

Reflections

Billy and JJ readers know their beloved heroes both won the Reflections Art contest at their school. While we were there tonight for the music concert, I snapped these pictures in front of their creations.

A jam packed day....

JJ had a fun field trip to the Frontier Culture Museum today. We had a great time, despite blowing snow and cold weather. It is fun to see JJ in his world with his friends and teachers. It is a very different JJ than the one who is constantly climbing the walls naked at the house! I am proud of how good he is and how well-liked he is by his peers!

Then Billy had his 3rd grade choir concert tonight, complete with dancing and synchronized moves. They all did a great job! I am really proud of Billy too and how involved he is at school and all that he accomplishes.

Billy and JJ ....Overheard!

So, the backstory..... I was milling around the house picking up and gathering trash while the boys rambunctiously played in the family room. Billy, being the big brother usually controls what games are being played...and oftentimes they include bodily harm to JJ, the little brother.

As I walk into the kitchen, I hear Billy suggest another game to play because the one they had been playing had caused JJ to break out into a whining fit and/or tears at least 3 times that I know of just this afternoon. And, here is JJ's reply..."I want to play the YOU get out of this room right this instant and leave JJ alone game"