Coast Guard Open Ramp

This weekend was the start of the National Cherry Festival. Which meant air shows. Which meant Coast Guard Open Ramp event where people can go see the planes up close. We went to this event last year, as well as the air show. This year, we couldn't make it to the air show, but we did go to the open ramp. It had fewer planes this year, but it was more hands-on. Last year, the kids were able to sit in a fire truck, but this year, they could explore more vehicles, which was awesome for my boys.

The first thing Leland wanted to see was the Coast Guard helicopter. The boys sat in the front, checked out the back, and even sat in the rescue basket.

Next up was the fire truck. Leland loves the green fire truck at the airport because it reminds him of the movie Planes: Fire and Rescue.

After that, we checked out the ambulance. Usually, Alden doesn't like to get into these things without me, or he'll stay right by the door so that I'm close by. So I usually can't get a picture of him, but he liked "driving" the ambulance.

Then they sat in this little red plane.

We also saw a couple of other small planes and the US Air Force Thunderbirds. Leland wanted to ride in them and "go fast." We weren't allowed to get very close to those, so I didn't bother taking pictures of them.

And I attempted to get a picture of the two of them near the entrance to the Coast Guard station. But they were hungry and not incredibly cooperative.

I don't think I would have ever been interested in an event like this before having these plane/train/tractor/truck-loving boys. To most people, it probably sounds pretty boring. But once I heard about this event a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to go. I knew the boys would LOVE it and seeing their excitement just makes my heart happy. I'm already looking forward to next year - there is no way we're missing the air show next time!

You know you're a boy mom when...

...you get excited about  watching construction vehicles do their thing.

Yesterday, on the way to Kindermusik, I suddenly remembered that they were doing some construction downtown. I have been meaning to take them down to see the construction vehicles, and just haven't yet. I'm sure they'll be working for a while but I decided to skip Kindermusik (we can do it next week instead) and check it out.

The boys LOVED watching them.

We followed this excavator down the street and watched it from a safe distance, behind a fence. Leland yelled out to the guys, "Hi! My name is Leland!" And the guy driving the excavator chatted with us for a minute. Then he asked if Leland wanted to sit in it. Boy, did he!

That alone was so exciting for Leland, just to sit in it. But then the guy asked if it was okay if he sat with Leland and let him work the bucket, and I thought Leland was going to burst.

Alden enjoyed watching his brother have all the fun. He doesn't like to do those kinds of things unless I'm with him. He's my cautious one (they totally have their birth orders mixed up), but he really did like watching.

And then, on our walk back to the car, the Traverse City Light and Power guys gave the boys some stickers.

What a fun morning! Leland hasn't stopped talking about it.