Another Day, Another Train Show

First, let's discuss the fact that James is IN LOVE with his Thomas train. Thanks, Nana & Pops!!! Last night when he woke up crying (thanks, pointy teeth coming in), Dan just put the Thomas engine into James's hands, and the lil' guy rolled over and went back to sleep! What?!

This morning, he didn't even care about helping make pancakes. He just wanted to play with the train.

After pancakes, Nana & Pops hit the road back to SC. We were very sad to see them go. James did tear himself away from the train to give goodbye hugs and kisses, then stood in the window saying, "Bye bye, Pops. Bye bye Pops. Bye bye Pops. Bye bye Nana," over and over and blowing kisses.

A little later we headed to the Bergen County Model Railroad Train Show. It was basically a church basement filled with three or four big set-ups of trains. I quite enjoyed completing the scavenger hunt (locating such items as "a few raccoons" and "underground parking"). James was in awe the entire time. But awe doesn't quite do justice to his reaction to the display of Thomas trains. He (and many other toddlers) stood at the plexiglass wall, just watching in amazement and wonder. He was so good-- he didn't reach in or try to touch. He just stood and watched. For at least FORTY FIVE MINUTES! He was super cute in his new Thomas engineer hat too (thanks, Nana & Pops!).

The ONLY bad part is that we didn't have the camera with us :-(

Train-tastic Day!

Today was Mom & Dad (aka Nana & Pops)'s last full day with us. We started off with a big yummy breakfast then headed over to the park for some good, hard playing at the playground. This allowed us to give James an early lunch and nap.

Then we were off to the Botanical Gardens for the amazing annual holiday train show. James was in awe, to say the least. We were too, quite frankly, because the displays were just amazing!

James had a blast running around the gardens after we saw the trains. "Get down. Run!" is his new favorite catchphrase. He ran all over the park before we headed home for some leftovers for dinner.

After dinner Nana & Pops gave James his birthday gift. We decided that they needed to be here to enjoy his reaction and delight when he opened the Thomas the Tank Engine set!

He was THRILLED and certainly did not want to go to bed. He took the train and some accessories to bed with him, but fell asleep pretty easily after his busy, exciting day.

This Year's Thankful List

So, since I've done this the last two years, here goes what has become my annual list. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for...

• the fact that my parents made the trip up to NJ for Thanksgiving
• how excited James has been to see Nana and Pops
• good weather for the parade
• the fact that the parade features balloons (so that you can actually see the parade)
• James's reaction to the parade
• my amazing husband
• James
• the fact that my sisters are my best friends
• the fact that my amazing brother-in-law was not hurt any worse in (and is recovering so speedily from) his cycling accident
• my awesome group of mommy friends
• James's rendition of "Frosty the Snowman"
• trains (not really, that one is on behalf of James)
• my new team at school
• James's school (aka daycare), especially the fact that he is so happy there every day
• Grandmother's macaroni and cheese
• Snickers
• my Mac
• good health
• Running Divas New York
• my fabulous hairstylist and the fact that he now makes housecalls
• bananas
• coffee
• skype and cellphones
• facebook and reconnecting with old pals

Fashionista

So this is the look James put together for himself this evening.

And I'm telling you, he did it himself. "Mommy, hat on." "Mommy, boots on. Help put boots on." "Mommy pictures." He was really working it for the camera!

This is what you like to see in the morning...

So, when I got out of the shower this morning, I looked down the hall into the kitchen to see this:

At which point I was doubly excited. James & Dan were making waffles (yum!), and James looked ridiculously cute doing so!

Dan had James really helping-- measuring ingredients and adding them to the bowl.

SO MUCH FUN!

Train Ingenuity

I mentioned before that the boy loves trains. Well, James created a little train for himself today.

Then Daddy tied it all together for him.

And added a caboose.

Elation.

Fun Family Morning

After enjoying a yummy pancake breakfast (thanks, Daddy!), James settled in for his weekly 30 minutes of television. When he was really sick in September, we let him watch TV for the first time. Thomas the Tank Engine. He was in AWE. So, a couple of weeks ago, he & Dan watched it again. Now, it has become a weekly thing. They cuddle up in Dan's chair. It's cute. (btw, the boy LOVES trains, and all trains are referred to as Thomas.)

When Thomas was over, we headed out to enjoy a lovely fall morning. Dan and James on the bike. I ran. We stopped at the bagel shop to get breakfast for Mommy & Daddy (and a snack for James), then headed over to the playground. Daddy & James played there while Mommy got in a few more miles. Then, with much protest from James, we headed home to eat our bagels.

All in all, a lovely way to start the weekend.

Heard around the house

James tends to recount his day's events as he goes to sleep or when he gets up the next morning. This week we had the pleasure of skyping with Ali & Uncle P.

So this morning I hear:

"My mommy. My daddy. My Zim. Zim zim cat. My Ali. My P. My poop. My toot. Zim Zim Cat. Kitty cat. Ali, P, poop, toot. Zim, Ali, P, poop, toot. Ali. Uncle P. Uncle, Uncle P! Uncle P!"

Fall Photos

Someone had lots o' fun helping Daddy rake the leaves.


And "Cake!" has become a triumphant cry at family gatherings. Here James is enjoying Grandma's birthday. The next day, when we enjoyed the other half of her cake, he said, "Song! More song!" He seems to enjoy the singing almost as much as the dessert.


And then there's this....


James got this outfit from Grandma. It's been a while since he's worn a long-sleeved, long-legged one piece suit. It's pretty cute, but so different from his regular shirt & pants look!

Bad Mommy

OK, so here are a few reasons why I won't be winning Mother of the Year.

1. I have not posted any pumpkin patch photos of my cute son.

2. Because I have not taken him to a pumpkin patch in either of the two Halloweens/falls that he's lived through.

3. Or made a jack-o-lantern.

4. Or even bought a pumpkin.

and......

5. I'm taking him to day care tomorrow even though I have the day off of school.

With regards to #5, I'm planning a day full of MAJOR house cleaning and organizing. Which is much, much, much easier to do when a certain whirlwind o' cuteness is not here. Plus, he'll have tons more fun with his buddies than he would watching me try to clean.

I'll keep him home and we'll have a fun day on Friday :-)