Choo choo like Thomas

Ever since we first started our membership at our local children's museum, Caleb's favorite, I mean very most favorite thing to do while we are there has been to play trains. 

january 2009, in his favorite spot at the museum

So much his favorite that we were baffled that he rarely ever played with his Thomas starter set that had been given to him his first Christmas home.  Last Christmas we talked about getting him a train table, but decided against it because he so rarely even gave Thomas a second look at home.  But his fascination at the museum continued.  Then we decided, maybe it is because he only has a small oval and one engine.  Maybe if he had a big set...

So off to Craig's list we went.  And man did we hit the jackpot!!!  Table, six storage bins that fit underneath, over 100 pieces of track, bridges, tunnels, sheds and trains, all for much less than a new table with no storage.  (Funny thing is that we high-fived each other, contacted the seller, and committed to buy it before we really considered where in the house it was going to reside ~ let's just say our cozy house is getting more and more snug...)

Anyway, on Christmas Eve Eve, (not a typo, the kids open their gifts from us ~ and anyone else who ships them to our house ~ on Christmas Eve morning to avoid hauling tons of stuff down to Mama's for Christmas day) Ian and I excitedly brought the table into the house from out in the storage shed and did our best to quickly put together a small section of track.  When we finally went to bed we weren't quite sure that Caleb would be as excited as we were about his train set. 

We need not have worried.

When he turned the corner to the living room he couldn't get to the table fast enough.

yeah, the track set up is pretty lame, there's a straight section that dead ends into a corner.  however i was pleased with what i managed at 2am ~ i'm sure i'll get better soon

He continued to move around the table, checking it out from all angles.

Eventually we had to pick him up and bring him near the tree to open presents.  He couldn't be bothered with gifts for want of playing with his train tracks.  Until he realized that it was a very Thomas Christmas...

grandpa curly (my grandfather) sent cranky

checking out harold the helicopter

Toss in Emily, Percy, and Harvey and you have one excited little boy.

cranky in action

I honestly thought the child was going to cry when it was time to load in the van and head to Grandma's house.  "I just wanna play trains!" he said as we dragged him out of the house.  Good news is that Caleb hasn't left the house since we've been back in town.  How has most of that time been spent?

Why playing trains of course.  Guess two years of really wanting something makes it even more fun...

The only thing he's asking for now to go with his train table?

His little brother to be home so they can play together.
(I know, just melts your heart, huh?)

Oh, and yes, I'm aware he is wearing one of my pink headbands on his head.  That's his David (of David and Goliath) look and we decided to embrace it and photo document it instead of creating a fuss on our Christmas morning.