Today was a special daddy-daughter outing with Maia. The first stop was Bill’s Cafe for breakfast. A short-stack of blueberry pancakes for Maia, and she nearly polished them off.

Blueberry tongue — Nearly polished off a short-stack of blueberry pancakes.

iPhone , map

Maia’s comment about the streets of California cracked me up and left me thinking that the path that California is on is most certainly cracked and heading off into the weeds. OK, maybe that’s not what she was thinking, but, that was how I interpreted it.

Maia says, “the streets of California are cracked” — wise beyond her years, she is.

iPhone, map

The next stop was a tour of San Jose Fire Station 13, that was arranged by a Gemini Crickets member that’s involved with the SJFD. The fireman were wonderful with the kids and taught them all about calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. Most of it went over Maia’s head, but, she had fun joining in with answering questions.

Learning about how to call the fire station — dial 9-1-1 in an emergency!

NIKON D200, ISO 640, ƒ/5.6, 1/40sec, 24mm focal L.

I never really gave it much thought, but, a fully suited up fireman must be completely frightening to a young child. They made a big deal about how fireman Hank was just a normal person before the gear, and afterward, he was still the same person.

Suiting up — To show the kids that fireman aren’t scary afterward.

NIKON D200, ISO 400, ƒ/2.8, 1/250sec, 56mm focal L.

About half the kids knew who Darth Vader was. It’s not quite Maia’s time to learn these things yet…

Luke, I am your father.

NIKON D200, ISO 400, ƒ/2.8, 1/320sec, 48mm focal L.

Then, we moved into the “office” of the station. In her most predictable manor, Maia wasn’t interested in joining with the rest of the kids and was off in her own little world.

Group activity? — Not interested…

NIKON D200, ISO 400, ƒ/2.8, 1/30sec, 24mm focal L.

The table was very literally a slab of bowling alley lane prior to being made into a table. Many of the fire stations have one and there was a competition to decorate them the best.

Old bowling alley lane — Makes a fantastic dinning room table.

NIKON D200, ISO 400, ƒ/4.0, 1/40sec, 24mm focal L.

The swivel chairs proved irresistible

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/40sec, 36mm focal L.

Next, we moved into the TV room.

Low maintenance mascot

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/40sec, 24mm focal L.

They made a special announcement over the PA welcoming the Gemini Crickets to the station similar to how a real emergency would be reported.

Paging all Junior Firefighters

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/60sec, 62mm focal L.

The group makes a stop in the TV room.

NIKON D200, ISO 1000, ƒ/4.0, 1/25sec, 24mm focal L.

This was a 2-story fire house, complete with two functioning sliding poles for quick egress when the call comes. According to the Wiki link, they are becoming a thing of the past.

The obligatory fire pole.

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/25sec, 38mm focal L.

Next, we got to look over a fire engine. There was a long line of kids waiting to get into the cab, so, we checked out other parts of it first.

Almost as big as the tire

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/125sec, 24mm focal L.

And, this is where the little girls ride to the fire

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1250sec, 27mm focal L.

Finally, Maia got a turn in the truck. Good things come to those who wait, as I don’t think other kids got to try on the helmet.

Just one size smaller, please!

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/30sec, 31mm focal L.

An infectious smile

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/30sec, 24mm focal L.

As a special reward for “good behavior”, the kids were given a Junior Firefighter sticker.

All smiles waiting for her sticker

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/1500sec, 28mm focal L.

Here you go!

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/750sec, 24mm focal L.

See! — I’m a junior firefighter now!

NIKON D200, ISO 500, ƒ/2.8, 1/2000sec, 24mm focal L.

She insisted on sticking it on my shirt, even after suggesting that she should wear it.

Junior Firefighter

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/640sec, 24mm focal L.

After the fire station tour, I tossed out the idea that we could go to a park before going home. Maia thought that was a “great idea” and that we should go to the park on Budd. Don’t have to twist my arm. Let’s go!

“This is a FAST slide!”

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/2000sec, 36mm focal L.

I’m really trying to get Maia to start pumping her legs on the swing and doing it herself. Just as soon as she started getting the knack of it, I think she realized it meant she actually had to work at making the swing go, and what’s the fun in that?!? She decided she’d had enough of that and begged me to push more.

Push higher daddy!

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/800sec, 26mm focal L.

Look, no hands!

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/1000sec, 35mm focal L.

The water feature at the park has always been a favorite of hers. We didn’t bring any toys, but, the park seems to have inherited quite a few abandoned ones. Park rules: any unattended toys are fair game to be played with!

Collecting water

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/3.2, 1/1250sec, 62mm focal L.

I need to water the plants

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/1000sec, 48mm focal L.

She’s become very interested in the garden we’ve planted behind the garage, and, I fear she’s feeling left out since I really haven’t been good about getting her to really help out and do my best to keep the tiny plants from getting trampled. Today, she got to do some planting of her own.

“I’m planting carrots”

NIKON D200, ISO 200, ƒ/2.8, 1/1250sec, 50mm focal L.

And, after the park, we headed to neighborhood frozen yogurt joint for special treats. As luck would have it, Valerie was on her way home from errands at the same time and we all got to share.

Between the two of us, I’m not sure whether it was Maia or myself that had more fun. It’s not everyday that we get to have such a carefree morning, but, I’m awfully thankful to Valerie for making it happen. Can’t wait to return the favor for her so I can do it again after that!