We drove down the day before seeing Thomas so that we could ensure Michael saw Thomas in the morning when he was fresh and happy.We met my parents for lunch in Strasburg, PA...the crazy grandparents drove from Ohio to experience "Michael's moment." (as Andrew kept calling our weekend).
We went to a farm playland, and bounced and slid and mauled baby chicks and drank $4 lemonades.
Then we went to our hotel. We had pick one that had a tremendous pool experience, so that Andrew and Lily would have something...just in case Thomas didn't rock their world. The pool was amazing...but Michael just might have enjoyed it the most out of the 3 kids. Daredevil. Then the kids had dinner in bed...a delightful swing on the popular breakfast in bed concept.
Downside to the expensive hotel? They placed us in a room overlooking the atrium. Where a wedding reception went on until 10 or 11. Loudly went on. My tip? Don't stay at a Doubletree...even if the pool is cool. Or at least ask if they have an atrium for events and then request to be far far away from it.
The day finally came. All we heard all weekend was, "Now I ride on real Thonas?" We had the first ride of the day...so Thomas wasn't quite ready yet. We got to see the other Strasburg Rail Engine...which was pretty cool.
We sabotaged a conductor on his way to work. He had a very cool handlebar mustache and was so friendly and nice to the kids.
We acknowledged Father's Day a few hours late. Nothing says "I love you!" to the dads in your life like packing them in with emotional toddlers and a huge blue train.
Here's the moment we first saw Thomas up close and chugging down the track. I swear, if you went to a Justin B. concert with a hall full of 12 year old girls...the reaction would be the same. All these toddlers were screaming and jumping up and down and crying and yelling out "THOMAS!" It was hilarious.
My Andrew was patient and enthusiastic and never complained a second. He was a good sport about letting Michael get his way and I just wish I had taken him when he was 3 and loved Thomas.
They did have some cool things for him to do. Like pump this thing down a track. See? I learned lots of technical trainy terms this weekend!
Lily was less enthusiastic and a bit whiny. She was excited to see Thomas the first time, but when we were pointing him out again later on, she said, "Yea. I already saw him." Thomas has never been her thing.
But she got into the spirit a bit. She was very kind to Michael and even let him pick the movie in the van because, "This is Michael's weekend."
Here we are riding Thomas. Michael has just felt the train start to move.
Andrew enjoyed the train ride too. We all did. But doesn't he look about 12 years old in this shot. Eerie.
Lily was an angel on the train. It was cool and breezy and put everyone in a good mood. Too bad it was ridiculously short. We honestly paid more than $1 a minute for this train ride. My dad was calculating how much money they were making each day. Disgusting. And yet? I have no regrets because of how much fun we all had.
There were other little train rides too. Not nearly as cool.
The day finally came. All we heard all weekend was, "Now I ride on real Thonas?" We had the first ride of the day...so Thomas wasn't quite ready yet. We got to see the other Strasburg Rail Engine...which was pretty cool.
We sabotaged a conductor on his way to work. He had a very cool handlebar mustache and was so friendly and nice to the kids.
We acknowledged Father's Day a few hours late. Nothing says "I love you!" to the dads in your life like packing them in with emotional toddlers and a huge blue train.
Here's the moment we first saw Thomas up close and chugging down the track. I swear, if you went to a Justin B. concert with a hall full of 12 year old girls...the reaction would be the same. All these toddlers were screaming and jumping up and down and crying and yelling out "THOMAS!" It was hilarious.
My Andrew was patient and enthusiastic and never complained a second. He was a good sport about letting Michael get his way and I just wish I had taken him when he was 3 and loved Thomas.
They did have some cool things for him to do. Like pump this thing down a track. See? I learned lots of technical trainy terms this weekend!
Lily was less enthusiastic and a bit whiny. She was excited to see Thomas the first time, but when we were pointing him out again later on, she said, "Yea. I already saw him." Thomas has never been her thing.
But she got into the spirit a bit. She was very kind to Michael and even let him pick the movie in the van because, "This is Michael's weekend."
Here we are riding Thomas. Michael has just felt the train start to move.
Andrew enjoyed the train ride too. We all did. But doesn't he look about 12 years old in this shot. Eerie.
Lily was an angel on the train. It was cool and breezy and put everyone in a good mood. Too bad it was ridiculously short. We honestly paid more than $1 a minute for this train ride. My dad was calculating how much money they were making each day. Disgusting. And yet? I have no regrets because of how much fun we all had.
There were other little train rides too. Not nearly as cool.
All in all, a successful little trip. We left Thomas and ate lunch at a silly little restaurant in a caboose...that was right next to the train tracks. Michael was giddy each time Thomas went by. As we drove home, he must have said 4 times, "I had so much fun riding real Thomas." And when I was posting these pictures just moments ago, he started reliving it again. "I love riding real Thomas!" Now I just feel like I should plan little weekend trips for the other kids. I'm thinking Hershey for Lily ;)
PS. Dude. I hate blogger the last month or so. Seriously? Could blogging be less fun with all the glitches and technical issues to deal with? Each time I blog it is something different. I can't hit publish. The pictures download with an entire page of space between them. No spacing between anything. Can't link. Stops to save every 5 seconds and messes up the type. Spell check that only works in one area and then gives you no suggestions for any misspelled words. Are they just trying to get rid of everyone?
2 comments:
What an awesome trip! It's so delightful seeing the kids get really excited about something. Reading about your fun family getaway makes me want to pack our suitcases and go someplace :)
Wow! They do Thomas right up there. Thomas down here kinda sucks but the little ones love it anyway. When we took G last summer, D was like, "Do we have to do this again???" (for M). But it is totally worth it to see their faces light up!
Post a Comment