All aboard...

So I know I've mentioned that I don't really love Thomas the Train. I know I've also mentioned that a certain little boy does really love Thomas the Train. 

And well, with a smile like that how could we resist the opportunity to take him for a day out with a certain little steam engine? The answer is, we couldn't. So we all packed up the car and drove through the piney woods of east Texas until we reached our destination. 

  The Texas State Railroad hosts special events throughout the year. We have taken Radley on the Polar Express and now to this and have not been disappointed! I highly recommend it to anyone... they do a great job, have wonderful facilities and the employees are always eager to show everyone a fun day!

These two could not wait to get started! Well, Radley was ready and Emmy was just happy to be next to her big brother. GiGi and Pops met us in Palestine which made our little man even more excited. He had everything he needed: a train shirt, water, sunscreen, snacks and Thomas. 

We had everything we needed, too... I mean with a view like this how could we need anything else?

First stop was a new Thomas shirt (thanks GiGi and Pops)

and lunch (yes, he ate all of that).

And then it was off to see "EVERYTHING" in the words of Radley. 

As much as I like to joke about Thomas, I must admit that I had been looking forward to this day. For the past 10 months Radley has had to share just about everything with this itty bitty... 

And while I know that is part of being a big brother, it still doesn't mean that sometimes the day shouldn't be about him. We are so proud of how well he has adjusted to being more than "just us 3". He has definitely had his moments of jealousy and not wanting to share more than just attention... but more than that he has had his moments of kindness. I love catching him in the act of making Emmy giggle, or carefully watching over her. He gets so proud when she discovers something new or does something "big" like crawl or more recently pull up. He more than deserved a day just about him... 

And what a day he had! We visited a petting zoo... 

 got a Thomas tattoo (the only one Pops would ever purchase for him)

jumped in a bounce house... 

played on train tables... 

listened to story time...

and Sir Topham Hatt made an appearance, too!

All of Radley's favorite things were in one place...

 especially these two people... 

Everyone was all smiles that day! 

After all of that it was finally our turn to ride on Thomas! Well, technically Thomas was pulling our car, but that's only because he is "fastest, strongest, best steam engine there is, mommy!"

Thirty-five minutes of pure bliss for this kid... 

nap-time for this kid... 

and this one, too!

It was the perfect day! Absolutely perfect. 

For a minute everything was all about Radley... 

and well, maybe Thomas isn't so bad after all. 

Tiny Tales Thursday...

Have I mentioned that I don't particularly love Thomas the Tank Engine? Oh, I have? Well... I really don't love him.

Have I also mentioned that Kasey, RYAN's dog, drives me crazy?!? Oh, I have? Well... she does.

So... to the tale.

Last week Kasey left us a "present" in the garage. I was trying to be a nice owner and let her stay in the garage since it was sub-arctic temperatures outside. How does the dog repay me? By pooping. In the garage. EXACTLY where my tire would roll (without me noticing).

So, instead of coming home, winding down and playing with the kids on this said day, I throw gently place kids inside, distract them with snacks and toys and then hose down the garage. With soap. And water. In sub-arctic temperatures. All while NOT killing the dog. :)

Fast-forward to the next day.

We are driving home from school and are pulling onto our street...

Radley: Kasey in the garage, Mommy?
Me: No, buddy. She's not in the garage.
Radley: Oh. She's in the backyard?
Me: Yes, buddy.
Radley: So, Kasey not poop in the garage today?
Me: No, buddy.
Radley: Good! 'Cause that made you really cross!

Me (thinking to self): Really cross? He's 3 years old...how does he know what 'cross' means and how does he know to use it in the correct context? Really cross?

And then it hits me. Thomas the Tank Engine is "really cross"... or his friend Percy, or James, or Sir Toppemhat. I guess the guy isn't so bad... he is after-all expanding my child's vocabulary.