All Aboard! All Aboard!!

Our little Hayden has enriches our lives with his love of all things to do with Thomas the Tank Engine. He has lots of train engines, cars and tracks that cover his room and spread over their home. He even keeps some at our home for when he visits. At one point he gave all of us train names. When I got an eMail notice that a "Day Out With Thomas" was coming to New Haven, Kentucky's Railroad Museum I just kept that eMail hoping it would work out so we could get our little train officienado to this most important event. When I was sure of the times that would work for Claude and me, I called Andie and she verified with Michael that it would work for them and tickets were purchased for 4 adults and 2 kids. We visited the Marx family Wednesday, June 3rd and gave Hayden and Bailey printed invitations to a "Day Out With Thomas". Hayden was fairly popping when he understood what that meant. We spent a fair amount of time going over the need to get through Thursday and Friday and THEN it would be Saturday. He knows his calendar and that really helped.

Claude and I arrived in New Haven early and found the city park and parked under the shade of some big trees, rolled down the windows of the car, and sat back to wait until time to head to the VERY crowded Kentucky Railway Museum. The Marx family would join us around 3pm at the train station. Imagine our surprise when we heard the peep, peep of Thomas' whistle. The train went in front of where we were waiting. About 2:45pm we headed to the train museum and found parking. Then we found Will Call to pick up the tickets. They gave us 2 little maps with 4 circles on them. If your child went to these 4 places (out of the many offered) and got a stamp in each one of them, they would receive a prize. This gave direction to how to spend our time. While in line at Will Call, the Marx mobile arrived. Since Claude and I had no cell service in New Haven, we were very happy to make connections that easily. We placed arm bands on everyone to verify we had entry into all areas of the event. Bailey worked all during the outing and (I believe it was during the train ride) actually removed hers from her little arm. Then it was off to see the HUGE Lego version of Thomas. Our next stop was at the location of our first stamp for our maps. It was the "Video and Story Telling". They would also put temporary tattoos of your choice of engines from the Island of Sodor. Miss Bailey hurried over to pick out a "Rosie" tattoo for her right arm. They had fun trying to get it to stick because the kids had sun screen on. Somehow they got that one on Bailey's arm. We had Hayden come over to pick out which tattoo he wanted. He looked them over and said, "No thanks, I have this." He pointed to his armband. Andie assured him he could have both but he repeated "no thanks" and was off to video and story telling again. We got the stamps for this and then headed to see the real Thomas that would pull our coach cars on our train ride. Hayden was very focused on seeing Thomas up close. In front of Thomas on the same track was an old HUGE black steam engine. We got in line so the kids could climb up inside and ring the bell. This thing had some wheels as tall as a grown man. Hayden wanted to touch it so I found a part that wasn't too greasy and let him touch the metal. Andie and Michael got the kids up the steep steps and Claude and I stayed below to take pictures thru the window of them ringing the bell.

"Imagination Station" was our next destination. This was also a spot to get another stamp. It was a tent with lots of train tables with tracks and trains so kids could enjoy playing with Thomas train sets. Bailey and Hayden both really enjoyed being under this tent, out of the sun, and getting to play with trains.

After a little time to play and cool off, we headed to the train station. It was about time for Sir Topham Hatt to make his appearance AND you could have your picture taken with him. The inside was crowded and the magician was finishing his show in the front of the room where Sir Topham Hatt would make his appearance in the back of the room. We found our way to where the line was forming and secured our place in line. This would be stamp #3 for the maps. Hayden loved Sir Topham Hatt. He held his hand and told him his name. I love Bailey's expression in this picture of amazement and wonder that Sir Topham Hatt was right there.

We had just enough time for a potty break and then outside to line up for boarding our coach car and a 25 minute train ride. Michael and Claude found great seats and Hayden and Bailey each had a window. It was such a pleasure to watch them enjoy the ride through the country on the train. I'll share my two favorite pictures from the train ride. Note how ready Hayden is with his arm band and his ticket. Then note the tender moment with Andie and Bailey. This was really a nice train ride. Hayden could see out his window all the old railroad cars of many different varieties and he was telling us what they were. He saw coal and cows and corn but he really enjoyed the different kinds of cars stored along portions of the train track.

The conductor came and took our tickets and punched them. A lady with a video camera came and spoke with Hayden. Then we returned to the station and headed for the 4th and final place to get a stamp...you guessed it...the gift shop. Aren't they clever vendors!!! Amazingly the mini-Marx's were very happy with 2 Thomas story books to add to their collection. We headed to a little local eatery and fed the kids hot dogs and ice cream (they needed to have sugar before the drive back to La Grange). We parted ways after a really fun afternoon. When Claude and I got home, there was a very excited Hayden & Bailey message on our phone to say thank you. Being granparents is just the greatest. We did learn that 4 adults to one 2 year old and one 4 year old is just about the right odds!!!