Welcome Back, Thomas

When the older boys where toddlers, they were obsessed with Thomas the tank Engine.  Hubby and I (along with grand parents, aunties, uncles, family friends, neighbors...) all contributed to the Thomas mania by purchasing all the "essential" items one birthday at a time.  By the time the boys outgrew that Thomas phase (well into elementary school)  we owned, like, everything. 

 Now that the baby is starting to learn a little bit about independent play, Thomas have come back into our lives, awaken from his slumber in a series of large Tupperware bins carefully stored in the garage. 

Baby has decided that Thomas and Friends are important enough to be all over the house .  And every morning - after the obligatory episode of Sponge Bob Squarepants or Kai Lan, the train set is put to good use.  It's basically how we start our day...everyday.

 The great thing about Thomas is that it is all imaginary play.  It's pretty funny, I've actually caught the baby putting Cranky the Crank in the fish bowl (because Cranky is near the Harbor on the cartoons and belongs near the water)   And the little guy is all about ownership.  No one else is really allowed to play with the trains unless invited.  He will often tell me, "Go away, Mama!"  if I try to clean up or move any of the strategically placed engines.

Some of my favorite times of the day are watching this little guy play with his trains.  I can tell he's learning everyday.  So, with an open heart, I say WELCOME BACK, THOMAS.  You've been missed.