Community Days

Saturday morning was the Manheim Township Community Days. We've gone to similar events in years past, but this one was a little different. There were way more 'vendors' there and the event was bigger, it seemed. That said, where they advertised a 'free' event, most of the things you had to actually pay for this year, like the bounce houses.

The first stop was at the police car, where they were handing out little information pamphlets, "baseball" cards of the officers, and little "junior deputy" stickers. They also had their squad car there, and the policeman told the boys they could go ahead and get in and explore. So, they jumped right into the back. Daddy took the picture from the front of the car, and I said this better be the only time they're in the back of a police car!

Caleb LOVED his little sticker. He still asks for it. Maybe he'll want to be an officer when he grows up - you never know!

We continued on, and the boys spun a wheel at the St. Anne Catholic School booth (kids came up and asked the boys to take the spin) and Joshua won a McDonald's gift certificate and Caleb won a little bag of pretzels. We saw a couple more booths as we continued to walk. Joshua played darts for the first time and didn't hit a single balloon, but at least he got the concept!

The boys tried to make a necklace at the one booth, but the bead holes were too small for the string (I tried this impossible task, too, and realized the issue).

When the officer saw us taking pictures, he put this hat on the Bean. Then he asked if he could get a picture of him as well with their department camera. He smiled wide - such a handsome little bugger!

We continued walking, and we came to the fire station place. This dog mascot came right up to the boys, and whereas Joshua would go right up and give him a high five, Caleb ran away once again.

But, when the fireman asked Caleb if he wanted to sit in the fire truck, he was all about it!

Joshua climbed in and made himself right at home as well!

Caleb enjoyed exploring...

Then they both took a turn going into the firehouse bounce house. Caleb got stuck half way up the ladder, and one of the firemen told me I could go in and help him. It was a steep hill with only a rope to pull you up, which I didn't realize until I was in there. No wonder he was struggling in his socks! I started to climb, and holding onto this little guy he wanted to "do it himself" and hold onto this rope ladder and pull us up took just about all my energy. So, I told Caleb he was all done after one slide down. Joshua did two and then we decided to move on.

I saw one mom's group near our house that I think I'll check out. A gal from Calvary recognized me and told me all about it. They had a booth there where kids could decorate cookies. Joshua wasn't interested, though, and Caleb had already moved on. We saw most of the booths there at least briefly, and then Joshua begged to go on more bounce houses. We did one before realizing that they were supposed to be charging for them, which we thought was ridiculous for the price/time we were going to be there. So, we opted to leave instead. Years past (or maybe at different times of the year since they have a spring and a fall one), the mini golf and bounce houses were free, but there weren't as many of them. Either way, we enjoyed our time there for the little bit that we stayed and we were just as glad to leave.

Later that night, we met the Ginders and the rest of Shawn's family at Yoder's Restaurant with his Great Grandma Kennel. Unfortunately, I didn't even think to take pictures while we were there! Hopefully I'll get some from them. Afterward, they came back to our house to give Joshua his birthday gifts. Here he is in his sheriff's badge that says "Joshua" and his new t-shirt that he ran around the house in saying "it matches, it matches!" Silly goose!