Military children make up a very special part of our region's population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents through moves and deployments. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of the South Sound, The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter, with support from child car seat manufacturer Diono, have planned a free day of fun for the military kids at Pierce College. Old McDebbie's Petting Zoo, The Reptile Man, a gym full of inflatable toys, Starbucks treats, A Princess Party with hair designs, a Home Depot building craft center, games, prizes, a kids' game show, the Pierce College's Planetarium and much more will be available to the military dependents.

There are a lot of things more important than following live-blogging of our Salute To Military Kids event today at Pierce College - but none of them are things you have to do today. That's right, we're doing us some live-blogging.

11 a.m.: Doors are open at the Pierce College Health Education Building. The whole building and nearby parking lots are loaded with stuff to do. A bit disappointed the weight room is closed. Today was chest and triceps day.

11:05 a.m.: The kids have found the At A Simple Wish princesses.

11:07 a.m.: We found the free coffee and baked goods at the Starbucks booth.

11:08 a.m.: Actually, the event is one big food free-for-all.

11:20 a.m.: We were almost knocked down by a runaway clown.

Some of the parents are actually 13 year olds that made a wish to be big on a Zoltar machine.

11:25 a.m.: The line for the slide grows.

11:28 a.m.: Girl turns in balloon heart for a balloon animal.

11:30 a.m.: Another girl hammers home a prize.

11:32 a.m.: Father and son discover the petting zoo.

11:35 a.m.: Another father and son score a free car seat for spinning the Diono wheel.

11:38 a.m.: Young lad wins a prize for nailing the bean bag toss at the CLARUS booth.

11:40 a.m.:  We hear the first "Nooooooo!" screamed. Not bad 40 minutes into an event for children.

Noon: The Princess Room is the most popular section of the Salute To Military Kids event.

Mama's Bakery is in the house.

Good news! The elevator can handle multiple strollers.

Random shots from the event...

12:25 p.m.: The sugar is kicking in. Parents are lining up for massages from Hand & Stone.

12:26 p.m.: Child trapped in bouncy house. Parents laughs.

We wish the popular Lunchbox Laboratory booth was autotuned.

12:30 p.m.: Soldier carries child and stroller up stairs, surprises no one.

America's Credit Union's flying disks are everywhere.

12:54 p.m.: Child demands to be carried.

12:55 p.m.: Parents try to teach sugared-up kids the importance of dental care.

1 p.m.: Lunchtime for us!

1:15 p.m.: Two boys count their candy stash.

1:18 p.m.: It's all fun and games at the event.

Hands On Children's Museum of Olympia hosts a popular cape decorating booth.

1:50 p.m.: Boy just won at Clarus Eye Centre's bean bag toss.

2:00 p.m.: The Princess Room is still packed.

Overheard by the USO Northwest booth: "As you know, we have reached a crucial moment in our - and by "our I mean MY - existence. Something about candy followed.

Overheard by the Pierce College booth:

DAD: When I teach her to ride a bike, I will tell her that my hand is on the seat, but then I will take it away just as she is getting the hang of it.

MOM: That will not turn out well.

DAD: No.

Crowd shot!

2:15 p.m.: With roughly and hour and a half left, the piles of free candy are starting to show tablecloth.

2:30 p.m.: Folks are starting to hit the floor in the main gym.

Overheard by the main exit:

Young Girl: Mom, I really wanted to get a massage. I mean, like, really.

Mom: Really? (Mom glances at Dad.)

Dad: (Shakes his head with an "Are you kidding?" look.)

Mom: Maybe next time dear.

2:36 p.m.: Child spots outdoor concession stand.

2:39 p.m.: This bloggers thinks it's good to be a kid.

2:52 p.m.: One hour left to guess the weight of a bundle of Ranger newspapers to win the CDS truck.

3:15 p.m.: Child contemplates the meaning of life.

3:20 p.m.: After a long day of fun, a new hairstyle can seem like a chore.

3:25 p.m.: "I said, please get out now!"

3:38 p.m.: The event is winding down, vendors are packing up, kids are freaking out. ...

Thanks to all the military families that turned out today. An estimated 900 kids came through the doors. We hoped you had a wonderful time. We sure enjoyed it.

P.S. The At A Simple Wish Princess Preschool folks are cleaning up while blasting "I Wonder" from Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

See Also

Live Blogging: Pampering Our Military Spouses