Chugga Choo Choo to You

If you've been reading between the lines, you've figured out that two of the things Louis loves most are trains and time with his cousins--not necessarily in that order.

So, when I was trying to decide how we would spend my three days off with Louis for his birthday, I knew we'd do something train-related. And I hoped his Aunt Katie would be willing to bring his cousins Andrew and Lily to meet us somewhere for some kind of train fun.

Even though Aunt Katie was in the midst of designing an incomparable cake and planning Lily's first birthday party (which we attended this weekend)--not to mention the spackling work she has been doing on their basement--she carved out time for the trip on Thursday.

Was it convenient? Not exactly.

Was it worth it? Let's ask Louis.

Louis would have been excited to meet Andrew anywhere.

These two cool kids just love hanging out together.

 

Meeting Andrew for a ride on a steam engine...

well, let's just say the day was far superior to a piece of homemade train cake.

They laughed.

They enjoyed inside 3-year-old jokes.

They collected leaves, pieces of gravel, and did everything they could think of with their train tickets before the conductor came by to collect them.

And they had some serious conversation--though I can't remember what they were discussing here.

 

At one point, I asked Andrew what he was asking Santa to bring him.

"I like Toy Story," he said.

"Oh! Louis got a Buzz Lightyear for his birthday," I told him.

"No," Andrew said. "Louis likes dinosaurs."

I can't argue that. After all, Andrew is a dinosaur enthusiast, and Louis admires his cousin. And for all I know they were chatting about toy preferences while Aunt Katie and I were trying to snatch a moment or two of adult conversation.

Of course, besides the two boys, we had Andrew's sweet little sister, Lily, to occupy our attention. 

And, if anyone was enjoying the train ride, it was Lily.

Lily loved looking out the window with her big brother.

Louis may have wished that the ride had lasted longer.

But he and Andrew were perfectly content to enjoy the view. Oh, they may have gotten a bit squirmy toward the end of the ride, but that's why I never leave home without a few matchbox cars in my purse.

For the most part, though, they were fascinated by the scenery.

They got to see the steam engine drive past our car to couple up to the other end of the train.

 And they sat back and enjoyed the ride.

After a fascinating trip past fields of cows and corn and cabooses, we got off the train and onto another one--a 50-cent ride within view of the steam engine. You can see what Louis is focusing on here.

In fact, when I showed him this photo, he said, "Steam engine!"

We tried to take a photo of the three cousins together. Louis was done with posing, as he often is, and no bribery offers were effective in bringing out a smile. But Lily is smiling enough for a whole trainload of passengers.

He let some smiles slip, though, when he forgot about the camera.



Yes, a day of trains with your pal and cousin Andrew would be hard to top.

Unless it's a day of trains and lunch and birthday gifts with your pal and cousin Andrew and his sister, Lily.

As Louis is saying as he opens their birthday card...

"Oh, wow!"