NSW Fire Station

What a morning! It started out a bit slow when I realised we were completely out of diapers- thank goodness I had a few swim diapers laying around.  So, our first stop of the day was Woolworths to pick up, yes, you guessed it, diapers.  On the way there, we walked by the NSW Fire Department and one of the firefighters was working on the ladder truck. We stopped to watch for a bit and then he motioned for us to come over and see the truck.  We quickly crossed the street- at the cross walk mind you. :) Wouldn't want to jay-walk in front of 5 firefighters although I am not sure they would care. The firefighter (man, I need a synonym for that word) was so nice. He spent 15 minutes showing Coop all the different parts of the big ladder truck. He even let him raise and lower the jacks!  I was all set to say goodbye and thank you, when he said, "This is Officer Rick. He will take you inside and show you some of the other trucks." Wow. Well, Officer Rick showed Cooper the inside of every truck they had and opened every compartment so we could see what was inside. Then, as Rick was talking, another firefighter comes over and hands the boys a balloon, two tattoos and a book about fire safety.  Coop was his usual self asking all kinds of questions and sharing his thoughts. At one point he told, Officer Rick, "I have a plan for the old firetrucks. We need to get them new ladders, new cabs and new hoses."  Rick looked at him a little funny (not totally sure he is a kid person) and simply went on with what he was showing Cooper.  You may wonder what Tucker was doing this whole time.  Well, Tucker was pointing at things and saying their names in the most enthusiastic manner- "Door! Truck! Guy! Water!" Then he started counting the trucks, "2...8...9...2" He had very little interest in going inside the trucks when Coop did, but he had a great time nonetheless. So after we saw the innards of 4 trucks, Coop says, "Can we see the old fashioned fire truck now?" By this time I was ready to go. I felt bad monopolising this guy's time, but he was all for it.  We spent another 10 minutes looking at the old time fire engine.  These firefighters must have spent a good hour in total showing us around. Maybe they were bored or maybe it is part of their "mission" to educate the masses. Whatever the reason, it was a wonderful experience for the boys (and for me). They told us to come by anytime (if the doors are open) to see the trucks again.  After we left, Coop asked if we could go back after we got Tuck's diapers.  I told him we should wait a few days before returning. :)


As we left the station, I turned to look at Coop.  He the biggest smile on his face I think I have ever seen.  He turned to me and said, "This is the specialist day ever." He did not stop smiling all morning.