A Day Out with Thomas

Over the weekend we went and did a day out with Thomas. It's basically a train ride with Thomas and Percy pulling the train and a bunch of activities to go along with it. Think meeting the characters, toy trains to play with, bounce houses, coloring, face painting, etc. I booked the tickets like two months ago and Callum has been consistently talking about it for several days now. He was very excited. The other two acted like they thought it was lame, but enjoyed it once we were there. Maybe that's their grown up, cool kid attitudes coming through. 

On the train ride itself, we booked the car that was closest to Thomas. Because it took so long to get our picture taken with Thomas, we were one of the last people on the train and our car was super full. We managed to awkwardly squeeze in places...I say awkwardly because we asked one lady if she could scoot down to make more space for us and she flat out said no and most people just stared at us, rather thank helping make room by moving their bags or scooting closer to other people. But the train started and all was good. A few minutes into the train ride, I realized two cars up was virtually empty. Like there were literally maybe 10 people on it, so we moved to that car and the rest of the train ride was MUCH more enjoyable. Some other people followed suit too because a practically empty car is just way better than a jam packed one, no matter how close to Thomas the full one is! The kids spent most of the train ride dancing along to the music and just having fun. 

After the train ride, we went and met Percy. Then we went and met Sir Topham Hatt, who Callum refused to get anywhere near, even when he tried interacting with Callum. Then we did a bunch of the activities before calling it a day and heading home. The biggest hit was the temporary tattoo station. The older two at first acted too cool to get some train tattoos, but once Callum went for it, all three of them went back for more, before I finally cut them off. Callum was definitely very excited for his train tattoos. It was really cute. 

Now be prepared for a bit of a photo overload. But at least I warmed you, right?

^^ Callum was super into collecting rocks the whole time. He stored them in his pocket and would repeatedly pull them out and line them up before putting them back in his pocket again. 

^^ Proudly showing off one of his tattoos

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From One Train Lover To Another

It really doesn't feel like that long ago that I was building fancy train tracks, chasing trains around town and visiting the train station for my train obsessed Connor. Thomas was his favorite thing to watch there for a while. He went through a phase where he carried one train engine with him everywhere he went. He even slept with it at night! Alas, now he is a smart mouthed second grader, who thinks most of what his mom does is wrong. 

But now Callum is getting into trains. It's fun watching the same trains Connor played with getting pulled back out and played with again. And I'm back at that phase where I wonder if I should kragle (a little lego movie reference for you non lego movie watching folks) a train track together because it gets pulled apart approximately 2 seconds after I put it together. Well, actually it usually is being pulled apart while I am putting it together still. And that is always followed up with an, "Uh-oh, broken" in the most adorable toddler voice. I totally remember thinking about gluing a track together when Connor was little. I have since thought to myself, had I done it then, it would have worked out well then and now! But I have also wondered if I would have held on to something that wouldn't have been so easy to store. So many thoughts for a train track, right?!

I tried going and finding a picture of Connor with his beloved koko train he always had with him, but couldn't find one. In the process, I came across these adorable pictures though. I still have those overalls and I am pretty sure we still have a train hat around here somewhere. I am thinking I will definitely need to recreate those pictures with Callum. Also seeing pictures of cute little innocent Connor, who was always my little buddy has my mama emotions all over the place now! 

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Railtown 1897

^^ Who gave her permission to grow up?! Isla just looks so grown up here to me!!!

We live only 45 minutes away from Railtown 1897. It's a sister museum of the Sacramento Train Museum, meaning one membership gets you in both. Given that it's pretty close to our house, we have gone up there many times over the past two years and taken a train ride. Given that summer is coming to and end and we haven't been up there in a bit, I thought it would be fun to head up there on Saturday.

Our journey up there got off to a rocky start. Connor got a little yogurt on his finger. He was upset about that and in his fury managed to dump the container of yogurt all over himself and the car. So we pulled over on a one lane each way highway for me to clean up the mess...I ended up wiping it off Connor, then throwing a towel over the mess in the car and calling it good. About 5 minutes after we started driving again, Connor said he had to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW. The problem was, we had to wait until there was enough of a shoulder on the road to pull over. Finally that happened and he got to live out his dream of peeing on the side of the road. The rest of the trip went fine, but my expectations of the day were certainly lowered by this point!

Once we were at Railtown, things went really well. We managed to score seats in the caboose, which we have never ridden on before because they normally don't use it. And, not only did we get to ride in it, but on the first half of the train ride, we got to ride up in the top of the caboose! I know I enjoyed it more than the kids. It was an incredible view, but really noisy because we were level with the train engine. Of course, the trip back down the hill was just as much fun because the engine switched sides and they kept the back of the caboose open, so we got to watch out the back of the train. The kids enjoyed it more than being up top because it was much less noisy and they could run around and look out the different windows.

 

I'm glad we went. Even though things got off to a rough start, it really was a good day. Plus, I realize my kids won't think trains are cool forever and I really do enjoy getting to do all these things with them.

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Travel Town {some quick fun in LA}

The kids and I clocked in 1000 miles in five days...the things we do for our parents and kids! (Connor went and stayed with my parents for a few days). When Isla and I picked Connor up, we were in LA for a day and I wanted to do something fun with the kids while there. I had heard from a few people about Travel Town in Griffith Park, but had never been. A while back we even tried to go, but that area of the park was closed for construction...just our luck!

Travel Town definitely did not disappoint. First of all...it's FREE! You can't beat free. We went on a week day and there was hardly anyone there, making it really nice. The kids could wonder a little and I didn't have to worry about them getting lost in the crowd.

^^ Walking with Memaw

If you have a little train lover, this place is a must. There are a bunch of old trains to walk around. Most of them you can't go in, but they were still fun to see. There were two engines open when we were there and one train car. Apparently, one Saturday a month, they do tours of the other cars. 

 ^^ Waving at the people on the train.

There is a small train you can ride that goes around the park. It costs $2.75, but it went around two times. Both the kids really enjoyed it.

 ^^ That face!!!

It was also nice that it wasn't a busy day because the kids had the engine to themselves for a while and they LOVED playing in it.

And proving that it's the small things in life, there is a little train track painted on the sidewalk outside of the gift shop and the kids got such a kick out of running around on the train track, saying "choo-choo". My little train lovers sure do melt my heart. And, I'm not going to lie, I love that Isla is following in her brother's footsteps and is a train lover too.

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Christmas Train

Last year my mom and I took the kids up to the Christmas train at Railtown 1897 and this year we did it as a family. I don't know if it was because we took the train at noon or what but there was literally no one on our train. I'm not complaining though...I'll take no crowd to crowds any day.

Though the highlight was seeing santa on the train, I'll be honest, my kids really don't know who santa is. Even the other day, I pointed at a picture of santa and asked Connor who it was and he said "the man who brings presents to kids." It's not that I don't like santa, I just don't overly push him in my house. Back to our train adventure...really, the kids were looking forward to the train ride.

Besides santa being on the train, there were some other cute Christmasy touches as well. There was an elf going around and putting glitter stars on everyones cheeks. She put them on me and Ian too...of course, the kids just thought it was fun wiping them off, but whatever, I liked it! There also was a man who went around playing Christmas songs on a violin and it was fun when everyone on the train would start to sing along.

But santa, he was the main event. Neither Connor or Isla would get near santa. They wouldn't shake his hands or give him a high five. This hilarious picture about sums it all up.

They did warm up to the point that they would smile at santa, but neither of them ever talked to him. And it was hard just getting Connor to nicely accept a candy cane from santa's elf. Thankfully Isla was a little better with the elf.

 

I'm glad we went and I'm glad the kids had fun...even if they aren't too sure about santa. But I'll be honest, I am never too sure about santa either (the santa figure in general, not the usually sweet old men who play him)!

After the train ride, we found the smallest of patches of snow for the kids to play on. Connor didn't seem too impressed. He said "it's ice" and we tried explaining to him that, well, snow is basically ice. But, Isla was loving stomping around in the practically non-existant snow.

Now that we have done a Christmas activity, I am finally feeling like the Christmas season is upon us. I still have a few more things I would like to do with the kids before Christmas. Hopefully we can cram it all in the next week and a half. Seriously, why has Christmas snuck up on me this year?!

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Happy Mothers Day...

...to me!

I actually got my present on Saturday. And given that Ian was having trouble finding what he was looking for, halfway through his shopping excursion he let me come along for the ride. And we found me the perfect present. A pot and plants for our front porch...to go right in between my birthday present from the inlaws, some chairs.

Anyway, I am not a huge celebrator of holidays. I am more into the calm and laid-back approach to celebrating. I also don't like to be the center of attention. So my mother's day celebration was perfect for me. We packed a picnic lunch and headed out of town up to Railtown 1897 (which is one of the California state parks thats slated to close July 1) with my parents.

It was the perfect weather and the perfect place to take Connor. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and I think the rest of us enjoyed watching the excitement in his eyes. Though, when he gets really excited about something, he becomes very quiet and calm (remember him meeting the train conductor?) so you wouldn't know he was excited. And given that I am the "life documenter" of the family (aka: photographer), there are no pictures of me with my kids on mothers day. Epic fail. Oh well. There's always next year for that!

We ended our afternoon of fun by picking up ice cream on our way home. Yummy! It was the perfect un-celebratory day of celebration for me.


**You can read about our first trip to Railtown 1897 here

Treats & Trains

With Ian being out of town for work, my mom took the train to come stay with me and the kids for a few days. And since my mom's train was getting in at just the right time, Connor and I hit up the Starbucks frappuccino happy hour on our way to the train station. Up until this point in his life, Connor has yet to have a frappuccino. Ian and I never drink them, so he hasn't been exposed to them. But, I thought I could splurge and get him one at half off. I got him a strawberries & cream with no whipped cream. And, being the smart mom that I am, I waited until the train station to give him his treat...I certainly didn't want it all over the inside of my car! 


Once we were settled outside the station, I gave Connor his treat. What I didn't expect is that he pretty much sucked it down. There was no slow enjoyment. His plan was to consume that beverage as fast as his little body could handle. 

When he wasn't drinking it, he referred to it as "my milk", which I quickly corrected. There is no way I want this kid of mine to think a sugary drink is a substitute for milk! Anyway, after Connor finished his treat, he wanted to go after mine - an iced coffee (no sweetener, thankyouverymuch). I gave him a sip, then shoed him away. 


Soon enough my mom's train was pulling in. We stood close to the tracks. But not too close, don't you worry. And we saw my mom through the window. As soon as the conductor got out, Connor said "that conductor". Someone's been watching a little too much Thomas the Train Engine! 


After hugs were given, Connor grabbed my mom's hand and tried to drag her back on the train because he wanted on. Then, I was trying to take a picture of them with the train when the conductor walked up, put his hat on Connor and posed for a picture with them. Connor didn't move or speak. I am going to chalk it up to being nervous and excited. 

And like a good mom, we stayed to watch the train leave, waving the whole time. I would say it was a pretty good day for a certain little train-loving 2 year old!