Engines, A Caboose, And An Indecent Proposal

There have been no posts lately due to the fact I've had NO spare time! This has been the busiest month of our lives so far.

This morning I was determined to do something fun with Sam. Nothing we'd done a million times (like the park) and not another set of errands. I've heard over and over about a great train store in St Paul and decided Sam and I would check it out.

Well, holy cow - this place did not disappoint! We could go back this afternoon and Sam would be thrilled. It's called Choo Choo Bob's Train Store. It has train sets for both kids and adults and tons of running displays. The back of the store has six train tables set up with the coolest, newest wooden train sets. There are even benches for parents to hang out while the kids play themselves into a frenzy. The (apparent) owner of the store was dressed in engineer's overalls, complete with the striped cap. I don't even care about trains and I was enchanted.

Sam played for well over an hour. It was past lunch time and almost past nap time before I was able to get him close to the door to leave. He was having so much fun, and was so hungry and tired, I could tell a meltdown was close to happening. I asked him several times to be a good listener and walk to the car with me. His head hung lower and lower and I started to get desperate, not wanting to cause a scene.

Just then, Choo Choo Bob sauntered over. "Hey, little man," he said to Sam. "The trains will be here next time you come. How about you give me five?" Amazed, Sam slapped his hand. "What are you going to do now?" Choo Choo Bob continued.

Smiling, Sam said, "I go wi' mama. I go in car." He skipped to the door.

Astonished, I turned to Choo Choo Bob. "Will you move in with me?" I blurted out.

He seemed too surprised to reply, so I slunk out of the store and got Sam strapped into the car. I want to take Sam back to the store very soon - I hope Choo Choo Bob doesn't have a good memory.