This past year has been a love fest in our house for the one and only Thomas the Train. It has taken over our lives, we have trains everywhere, more Thomas books than I could name and several DVD's. Vaughn can name all the characters and plays with them almost all day, everyday. So when I found out that a real live Thomas the train comes to Calgary once a year every May I knew what we had to do.
We booked tickets along with our friends the Salomons and planned for a fun filled weekend on the Island of Sodor (that's where Thomas lives for those that don't know). We packed up the car on Saturday and told Vaughn we were going to the Island of Sodor. We've been telling him for weeks that we were going and man did we have one excited boy when the day finally arrived. We had so much fun with the whole thing. Everything we saw we made it the Island of Sodor, ie. 'Vaughn it's the Island of Sodor Tim Hortons or Hotel or Mall or whatever it is we saw at the time'. At one point I pointed out the helicopter flying around and Vaughn nearly jumped out of his seat because he was certain it was Harold the Helicopter. Any crane we saw was Colin or Cranky and the subway was even a new train on the Island. It was a blast!
We arrive Saturday around 4, checked into the Island of Sodor hotel and then headed to the mall to get a bathing suit for Matt (he forgot his) and have supper and then back to the hotel so the boys and their Daddy's could go swimming. Vaughn is pretty sure swimming in the Island of Sodor pool is better than anywhere else.
After swimming we successfully put all 4 kids to sleep in the hotel room sharing a wall with ours, plugged in the monitor and hung out in the other room playing games. It wasn't just a fun weekend for the kids but a much needed break for all the adults too!
Our train ride was at 9:40 so we left the hotel around 8:30 and headed to Heritage park. If you haven't been to "A Day Out with Thomas" and your kids are mildly into trains then I highly recommend it! It is very well done and just so much fun. We walked toward the entrance and once inside Vaughn heard it, the noise he's been waiting for . . . Thomas blew his whistle! His face was priceless and thankfully Matt had the camera on him at the time!
We lined up to wait for our ride on Thomas. While we were waiting it started to snow, which wasn't the best part of the day. Vaughn was crying because it was cold out and it dampened the appearance of Thomas a bit but he was still pretty excited when he pulled into the station. We climbed on to our 20 min Thomas the train ride. 3 laps around Heritage park and then off for a photo op with the train himself! They really do a great job with this event, the train rides are scheduled far enough apart that no one is rushed trying to get their picture with Thomas or the conductors.
We were then off to explore the Island taking in, Thomas the Train stories, carnival rides, face painting, train tables, building blocks, live singing, temporary tattoo stations and a meet and great with Sir Toppem Hat. Vaughn and Levi had the best time and I am so glad we went. It was a perfect Mother's day spending time with my wonderful family and some of our very best friends!
It was a little sad as we left the Island of Sodor but well worth the adventure and who knows maybe we'll have to make a return trip next year!
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