Children's Day with Grandma!

Ryan was lucky enough to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa on Colorado's Annual Children's Day founded by a Loveland local! Here's the article that was in the paper and below are pics from the big day...

Three-year-old Ryan Ward stood staring at the open door to one of Loveland’s fire trucks Wednesday afternoon in front of Loveland Fire Station No. 1 during the seventh-annual Colorado Children’s Day celebration. His body language said he wanted to jump in the truck, but the look on his face said no. His grandmother, Elaine Bonnell, urged him to get into the truck. “Go ahead, Ryan,” she said. But Ryan wouldn’t move. Eventually, an anonymous firefighter whisked Ryan up and planted him inside the cab of the truck. What were looks of unfamiliarity and hesitance quickly turned into wide eyes and a bright smile as the youngster looked around, taking note of the large seats, a gigantic steering wheel and all of the unusual buttons and levers. “I wanted to drive that one, and they let me drive it,” Ryan said after he got out of the truck. “I liked it.”
He wasn’t the only child that enjoyed activities at the fire station Wednesday afternoon as about a block of Fifth Street was packed with intrigued youngsters taking the opportunity to get a hands-on feel of some of the city’s more elusive vehicles. Four-year-old Grace Claude couldn’t help but notice one of the city’s garbage trucks, as well as a city and a school bus. “I like the garbage truck,” she said, “and the busses.” But what she really liked, much like Ryan, was the fire truck. “I like the lights,” she said.
Grace’s mother, Trista, just liked the fact that she had an opportunity to take her daughter out to a fun event that was smothered by good weather. “This was our second time (at Children’s Day), and we really had fun,” Trista said. “We got to see the city equipment up close and they really enjoy it.” Fifth Street wasn’t the only place celebrating Children’s Day though as the Loveland Museum/Gallery, Rialto Theater, Loveland Public Library and the Chilson Center also got in on the action offering various activities like puppet shows and a continuous loop of cartoons. It was all part of a day aimed at celebrating children. “We want them to be able to take away what the city offers,” said Jenni Dobson, youth activities coordinator for the city. Dobson, who spent most of her day outside at Fire Station No. 1, said she was happy with the turnout at this year’s event, but even happier that the weather cooperated.
“I think it’s been the warmest day of the year so far,” she said. “This event, we always get great attendance but it helps when the weather is nice.” Dobson said she and the other organizers were already starting to look at next year’s event, but for someone like Elaine Bonnell, she doesn’t want anything to change. She likes Children’s Day just the way it is.
“Everybody should live in Loveland,” she said. “This meets all my needs as a grandparent.”