Jack loves trains.  This you know.  We always stopped by Barnes and Noble to let him play at the table there.  When his 2nd birthday was approaching, (which is July 3rd- so still approaching-) we knew we would want to get a train table since it's so difficult to think of new toy ideas for subsequent children.

Last time I was at B&N, I mentioned this to another mom and she said she knew someone selling their table... so this morning I went and got it.  Then we went to Toys R US and spent just as much purchasing some trains as we did on the table.  (Not to mention, it cost me NINETY DOLLARS to fill up my car this morning.)

Shaun laughs because another father joked to him about the whole Thomas thing being cult-like and it's so true:  "You're a very useful engine, Thomas of Sodor," and weird repetitive chants like that.  And Sir Toppom Hat, what's up with him ...and the whole shebang.  10-20 dollars for a tiny wooden box- that alone attests to the number of Sodor Converts, and, I mean, it's just scary.

Anyway, I picked Ethan and Evan up with the table in the back of the car, and we headed to Ethan's house to trade him out for Madalyn, who was having a play date.  From there, the kids anxiously glanced over the seats at the table till we got home, where they were BOUND AND DETERMINED to help me carry it inside and not wait for daddy to get home to help.  It was a rough ride in- for the table, I mean- but we made it  and dropped here in the foyer for now:

It was money well spent.  Jack hasn't said one word since. 

No.  No, that's not true.  I heard Madalyn say, "Oh noooo, I'm falling,"  (being a train,) and Jack yelled, "help!  help!" in response.

The older kids lost interest and are having their quiet times... but Jack plays on... sighing every now and then, as though the excitement of it all has just been too exhausting, but he will carry on if he must...

Happy Birthday, little boy.  We love you.