Hanging Out with My Tribe - Cuteness Alert

I had a hot date at the fire station the week before "the great confinement." And I didn't even have to drive!

We had a wonderful visit with Kevin, Molly and the Toddler Twosome, starting with brunch. Rick and Kevin turned out wonderful omelets, sausage and potatoes, and of course there were maple oatmeal muffins, too!

Then it was on to my house so the boys could "see the kitty!" Unfortunately, Lizzie wasn't in a cooperative mood. She hid in an impossible place to even see her -- and then hissed! Poor girl isn't used to little boys! But the walk down was lovely! And we had a fun pillow fight. I knew all those throw pillows would come in for something. Apparently, for throwing!

In fact, it was a perfect day. A little windy but sunny and relatively warm for early March. For the most part, the Littles were running, but every now and then they opted for a ride!

I live around the corner from the fire station so after we left the house, we headed there, knocked on the door and sure enough, were warmly greeted. This guy was so nice -- and I learned a lot, too!

We got quite the tour, even seeing some of the equipment, including the jaws of life (the boys loved it every time he opened a compartment!). Let's say that's the closest I want to see the jaws of life!

It reminded me of our first visit to the fire station in 1918 2018, with Carson who was a year and four months. He's on the left below. This is his brother, a year and eight months, on our visit.

   

I hope their mom is labeling the backs of the baby pix! Otherwise, future genealogists will have one heck of a time figuring out which is which!

Then it was off to the playground, just down the street from the station where everyone could touch the germ-laden swings and climbing things! Grandpa helped the boys on the swinging steps.

Slides are always fun!

Carson loved this, but Cam was a little too young to hang on well!

And who doesn't love to swing!

Everyone had a hand in pushing these guys higher and higher!

Time to head home and wash hands!

And time to open belated a birthday present -- a set of four puzzles.

Oh, we hated to see these guys leave. Well, all of us except Lizzie. But the hugs and the smiles were the best thing of the day.

I wonder who was driving home?

Hopefully not this one!

A final note from the front: I asked a friend of mine who is a family practice physician and on the faculty of Ohio State if the hype on the virus is overblown as so many have said. Here is her reply: "Unfortunately, it is not overblown.  The number of cases and deaths are climbing everyday and with this current course it will be much worse before it is better.  I just hope we don’t end up like Italy but the lag in testing and isolation actions, we may have to face a difficult couple of months if not more."

St. Gervais, Paris

So, be safe, everyone. Social distance, hand washing, sanitizer if you have it. We'll get through and be changed by this. But we will get through.