T is for Thomas!

About a month ago we bought tickets for the Orange Empire Railroad Museum "Day out with Thomas." We had heard about it last year, but missed it. I was determined not to let that happen again! Grandma and Papa wanted to come, too.

I kind of put it in the back of my mind once we received the tickets. Then this week I started telling Dillan about his "surprise that starts with the letter T." He constantly threw out guesses like Tiger, Telescope, and Tea Cup! I thought for sure he would figure it out, but he didn't.

Our instructions were to arrive an hour before our departure time, which was 9:00. We all got up before 7:00 to get ready to go. Grandma and Papa came over and had a special conductor hat and bandana for him to wear. Then we set off.

When we arrived there weren't too many people there. We caught our first glimpse of Engine #1 and Dillan's face lite up! First step, get pictures taken. Dillan couldn't take his eyes off Thomas. Right after we finished our photo shoot we got to see Thomas leave the station for his first trip. Dillan refused to look at the camera. Seriously, his eyes were transfixed.

When it was our turn to board we climbed up and couldn't wait to get moving! It was fun waving to all the people from the train and hearing the whistle blows and railway crossing bells. The conductors handed out certificates to all the kids, making them honorary train conductors. Too cool.

We wandered around, ate fresh kettle corn, watched Dillan (courageously) ask for a temporary tatoo, and then found the tent where you could color to your hearts' content, build train tracks and trains, and play play play. Dillan would not leave that place. He was in heaven. Even with all the other kids there stealing his train pieces and going the wrong way. He was hooked.

It was such a fun day! Thank you Grandma and Papa for spending such a fun day with us!