Thomas and Percy

Today the boys and I went on an adventure to find a train. Some friends from our ward were getting rid their Thomas the Train set and I have been trying to get out to their house since January to pick it up. Today was the day, when all the stars in Texas aligned, the air conditioning in the car beckoned and the thought of Brig getting a much needed afternoon nap appealed. News flash that my little bursting ball of Brigham has decided that naps are for sucks and usually refuses to take them. On our adventure today, however, he fell asleep on the way to the train house and did not wake up until after we (Calvin and mommy) were already playing with the trains in the driveway and listening for sleeping big boy (but Brig does not need to nap any more, right).

Oh I wish someone had a camera to capture the look on Brig's face when I got him out the car and walked around the corner to view a very busy and engaged little brother with trains all around him. Brig, who usually takes a long time to wake up from a late-afternoon nap, almost flew out of my arms, grabbed Thomas, Percy and Salty and had them bustling around the track before I could even blink. Calvin was a little saddened by the sudden blond boy competition, but from that moment I could tell that mom had just scored a bit hit with the boys.

They played with the trains for almost 2 hours straight--with only a 10 minute break for dinner and a few 2 minute breaks for time out. They fought over engines, built lots and tracks and traded cars back and forth, but in the end we had a great time. All in all, I think this new train set will be a really useful toy.

(The second to last picture in the slideshow is of Brig and Calvin fighting over a few engines. The last picture is of Brigham running away from Calvin so little brother wouldn't get his Thomas and so big brother would be less tempted to hit. As least Brigham is learning that he has alternatives. Next step: hit less/run more.)