Macklin's 2nd Birthday: Train Celebration

When it came time to plan Macklin's 2nd birthday party I knew instantly we would have a train party. This boy, much like his older brother, is OBSESSED with trains! The biggest craze for him is Thomas the Tank Engine, like most little boys his age but, mommy wasnt' interested in a Thomas party. Dont' get me wrong, I love Thomas, just not plastered on party plates & napkins. I have some great pictures of the train-theme but here are some the pictures of the celebration--it was a great party!





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Birthday Adventure

On a whim yesterday, we decided it would be a fun birthday adventure to spend some time at the Birmingham Railroad Park. We have heard so many great things about this new city asset but had been for a visit. Crazy, I know, since our boys would live in a train if given the choice. Both boys were beyond EXCITED, as you'll see in the pictures. "TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN!" Macklin couldn't stop yelling at the trains and Jackson begged to get on one and blow its whistle. It wasn't easy explaining that we were not allowed to get on board--thank goodness for the separation fence or they would have taken off! Pure amazement! Can you tell Jackson is trying to convince us that he can get on that train and blow its whistle? He continuously told us that we could catch it if we just tried and that he would ask the conductor for permission to come aboard. He's quiet persistent! Both of them would have stayed all night.... and just stared at the trains as they rolled in and out of the park. They LOVED it! I am quiet certain we will be adding the Railroad Park to our weekly rotation of places to visit. It was fun to watch them in all their excitement.

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All Aboard!!!

"All Aboard!" Can you tell that's what Jackson is saying in the picture? "All Aboard!" Those are his favorite words right now and he loved shouting them before, during, and after our Polar Express adventure. We've been waiting on the Polar Express to arrive since July. A friend called to see if we would be interested in going on the Polar Express. At the time, none of us had read or seen the Polar Express but I knew anything involving a train ride would be sure to please! When I asked Jackson if he wanted to go to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and ride the Polar Express to the North Pole to meet Santa his response was a very loud "YES!" so I signed us up. My mom bought the boys the movie on black Friday so we were well on top of everything before our trip and Jackson was beside himself with excitement!

Before boarding our rail-car, the boys gathered on the front of the engine for a photo! It was quiet cold outside and all the boys could do was beg to get to get on the train. We managed one family photo next to the engine but trying to hold them back from boarding was nearly impossible! They were ready to ride the train. Several of our close friends were on the train but Jackson was all about Anna Kate. Anna Kate is one of his classmates and they play together a lot at school. At the site of her, Jackson yelled "Anna Kate" in that shrieky childlike scream to which Anna Kate was glad to reciprocate with a seemingly similar sounding "Jackson!" They ran around the Museum until boarding time. Jackson was very happy to have the conductor punch his ticket. Macklin was excited to ride the train but still a bit apprehensive. He was eager to see what was going on but not so eager to sit still for an extended period of time. He sat next to Grammy and took in his surroundings. He did muster several "train, train, train" to us and laughed as he tried to pull the Christmas ornaments off the windows! The ride to the North Pole was really fun. Jackson and Anna Kate entertained themselves watching out the window for the North Pole. They were eager to see if there was snow and couldn't wait to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Once arriving in the North Pole, Santa & Mrs. Claus boarded the train. I thought it would be hard getting Jackson to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas but he was happy to say a Christmas train. He wasn't big on the photo-op but we managed to get one, albeit without Macklin because he was having none of it! Macklin was happy to have some chocolate milk and cookies (as was Jackson)! Grammy showed Macklin Santa's Workshop as we got ready for our return trip to the station. Macklin waved goodbye to the North Pole, Santa & Mrs. Claus and we were on our way.

Jackson and Anna Kate had a great time riding the Polar Express and we've promised them a return trip next year! Jackson hasn't let his sleigh bell out of his sight and this morning I heard him saying "I believe, I believe" in the bathroom (how precious)!

After disembarking our rail-car, Jackson was eager to jump on all the other cars in the Museum yard. He wanted to drive all of them and continued yelling "All Aboard!" We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to the Polar Express again next year!

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Weekend Roundup

We finally began to get in the Christmas spirit at our house this weekend. We got all the pumpkins, mums and fall decorations put away and transitioned to Santa Claus, poinsettias, lights and ornaments! Although we have quiet a bit to do to finish, we've gotten started and to me, that's a good thing!

Our big outing of the weekend was a Saturday morning trip to the McWane Center. Not only was there a model train exhibit and a Winter Wonderful to visit but, Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train was in town! If you've been reading my blog for a while, you've probably caught on that Jackson is FANATIC about dinosaurs and trains and Macklin isn't far behind! So, when I saw that the Dinosaur Train was making a visit I knew we had to make a trip. Upon arrival, Jackson & Macklin were eager to jump on the sled and yell "Ho, Ho, Ho!"

Jackson had a little bit of fun shoveling snow in the snow room. We could only get him to do it once and we couldn't convince Macklin to join him! This is what most of my pictures from our visit look like--the backs of their heads as they stare in amazement at all the trains! They were mesmerized! Both of them ran around the exhibit from table to table trying to catch the trains as they made their way through the tunnels! It was so much fun watching them get excited each time a train came out of the tunnel or it blew its whistle. All Jackson could say was "All Aboard" and Macklin would follow with "Train, Train!" I think the highlight of their day was getting to drive Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy. This was the only exhibit you could actually go inside and touch the trains and make them move and they both had us stand in line multiple times! We had to bribe them with popcorn for lunch so we could head home for nap-time! It was a wonderful family outing!

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All Aboard

My camera hasn't been working this week so I'm a bit behind on "good" pictures to use on the blog. However, I was lucky enough to get a good picture of of the best purchase I've made to date a consignment sale and I wanted to share. Jackson is completely obsessed with trains (and dinosaurs but that's a different post). He talks about trains everyday and wants to ride every train we see! I attended the Giggles and Grace consignment sale last Friday and spotted this little booger and just couldn't pass it up! It was only $40 and in my book, it's the best $40 I've ever spent on a toy. Every evening when we come home and every morning when he wakes up, the first thing out of his mouth is "Mommy, can I ride the green train?" He is having a blast, tooting the horn and riding it everywhere (it works on and off the tracks). He has even given Mackie a spin on it! Pin It