That managed to instantly break the trance-like visual lock I had on the spreadsheet full of numbers and tax forms I had in front of me.
"What!?" I said, getting up and almost tripping over the computer cord.
"It's FIREMAN SAM!!" Danny repeated. "COME ON!!"
We walked outside and sure enough, a huge red fire engine had pulled into the cul-de-sac to aid a neighbor in need of help. Seeing the red fire engine quietly parked and turned off in front of his preschool as the class files out to sit in front of it for a presentation is one thing. Watching it roll in front of your front door and park with lights flashing and radio chattering and firemen piling out and lumbering into the house with a gurney is QUITE ANOTHER. Shortly after that, an ambulance rolled up and parked right next to it.
Any more excitement and I think his head would've exploded.
We stood on the curb while Danny asked me 27 questions and we listened to the radio chatter in the middle of the then quiet street, while the firefighters were inside. Finally a potty-break was in order, so we headed inside. It was perfect timing, really, because the men were able to get the neighbor in need loaded into the back of the ambulance, without the prying eyes of a certain three and a half year old and his secretly
At that point, the firefighters, relieved of their duties, noticed the admiring eyes of my sweet son and said hello. "Wanna come check out the firetruck, buddy?" Danny uncharacteristically and bravely said, "Yes," and turned to me so I could pick him up. We headed over to the truck and peered inside, while four firemen asked Danny questions.
My sweet boy was courageous and talkative, and answered all of their questions, even if he did have his hands wrapped in a suffocating grip around my neck and his cheek pressed firmly to mine through the ENTIRE conversation. That sort of made it difficult for me to have an easy chat, but whatever. The guys were more entralled with their new little fan anyway.
After a few short minutes, one fireman - whose name was Daniel - stuck a "junior firefighter" gold badge on my kiddo's shirt and said, "Thanks for visiting, Fireman Danny!" The men piled into the firetruck, backed up to turn around, and as they drove away, all four of them waved to Danny, parade-like style. My little firefighter, eyes wide and feeling like the most important kid on the block, waved back with wild abandon and total admiration.
It made this Mama's heart soar. :) Firefighters... those guys are good guys.
