Truck Touch

The local day care hosts a Truck Touch fundraiser each spring. We didn't make it last year (for whatever reason) and our absence was a shock to the other mothers...not abuse of course, but in the same category.

The Truck Touch is aptly named. A bunch of trucks (and motorcycles, cars, delivery vans, ATVs, fire engines, a school bus, a digger, and even a police boat) are parked in the church parking lot. Kids (accompanied) are invited to climb in and around the vehicles, sit in the seats and, yes, honk the horns.

Natascha and Ian joined us for the adventure. We broke out the baby backpack for Stevie's first ride. He was not a fan at first, but after Kev pointed out that he was in backwards, I readjusted him and he was, well, not happy but not sad. (I would be less embarrassed by this if I hadn't put Sabrina in backwards on at least one occasion.)

We were excited to see how excited the toddlers would be--after all, they're so often told NOT to touch, this would be a treat!

Ian was completely entranced. Sabrina was completely freaked out. Stevie was completely...asleep.

We started Sabrina off on the school bus. She has a bus she plays with at home so we though it was a safe bet. She LOST it the minute we stepped on board. Not an uncommon reaction to a school bus, but a bit disappointing none-the-less.

Kev finally found the solution...first a shoulder ride, then the Safeway refrigerator truck. Any time Sabrina can runrunrun she is happy.

Then more running in other trucks and then sitting in seats. She never did express interest in honking the horn, but that's probably just as well. She balked at sitting in the digger, but by that point it was time to head home.

Ian was hilarious. I think he dragged Natascha to look at every vehicle on the lot. I'm glad he was around...this was exactly the kind of reaction we were expecting!

They let the kids turn the siren and the lights on in the unmarked police car

It was such a cool event. A great idea followed up with great execution. There were so many people who volunteered their time and efforts. A driver was with every vehicle to help the kids and explain what things did. There were musicians and food and games that we didn't even get to. And the best thing was the whole community seemed to come out for it (or at least all the ones with little kids).

Now I know why people were so shocked we hadn't been before. I'm definitely looking forward to next year. Hopefully both kids will appreciate it more.