Strasburg

Alex has had a love affair with trains for several years now. We took him on a (diesel) train ride during the summer a year ago. He absolutely loved it. But on Thomas and Friends, diesels are the "mean" trains, and the steam trains are the "good guys." So, when we knew we were going to move out of the area, visiting Strasburg was immediately put on the "to do before we move" list.

Yesterday (before my sister and nephew left to spend this next week at my mom's) the whole family went to Strasburg for a ride on a steam train.

We barely made it in time, and the rain (mixed with the rush) was really tough for me. But after sitting still on the train for several minutes, I was able to catch my breath again, and lower the pressures in my lungs (I should have brought the oxygen with me, but didn't want one more thing to carry). I finally was able to enjoy the ride.

Everyone had a great time, but Alex had the best time of all! I think the smile was plastered on his face for at least 20 minutes!

The kids are gonna talk about the ride for years to come! They were the perfect age for this sort of adventure - it was simply magical!

This was one of the last photos taken ... just before Harrison (who wanted to exert his independence) suddenly jerked away from Daddy. He lost his balance, and fell on his face - with his teeth going straight through his lip. OUCH! Needless to say there was lots of blood, but that's why we have a well-stocked diaper bag. We used an old burp-cloth to mop up until I could get out the wipes. We did learn, though that a binky makes a great "pressure bandage" - the more it hurt, the harder he sucked on it. Not a drop got on his clothes or on the train itself! Luckily (for the other passengers) he cried for less than a minute. We didn't get a picture of his swollen, black and blue lip (it's healing amazingly quickly!) He's such a brave little kiddo (with absolutely NO sense of self-preservation or fear!). And on the way home, when we all stopped at McDonald's for a treat, he even ate salty french fries!

Right after this next photo, Alex asked me if the words on the side of the coach car we rode said "Annie" or "Clarabel". (For those of you not versed in Thomas, those are his two coaches.) How cute!