Creating memories

The kids had a lot of fun Sunday when we took them--in the pouring rain--to see Thomas the Tank Engine. My four-year-old made sure to tell everyone he saw at the library today about the trip and how excited he was to now be the owner of a Thomas alarm clock!

I'm glad they had fun. It's important to me that the kids have good memories of their childhoods. For many summers, our parents took me and my sister to the U.P. State Fair, and I remember how excited I always was and how I couldn't wait to tell everyone at school what I had done during the summer. I don't know if my kids will remember this visit to Thomas--especially my daughter, who's only 22 months old--but I'm glad we went. Seeing them so excited about the world makes me feel excited too, and looking through their eyes reminds me that the world, in spite of it all, is still a wonderful, magical place.

Riding the rails

We're taking the kids to see and ride Thomas the Tank Engine tomorrow. I just told them tonight before bed, and I can hear them talking about it in their room right now. My son is the most excited, as he's been interested in trains for several years. He's telling his sister all about Thomas and the Island of Sodor and reminding her that although Thomas is sleeping right now, he'll be at the Island tomorrow. I heard such dreaminess in his voice as he sleepily said, "I wanna go to the Island of Sodor..."  His voice was so sweet, so full of longing, and it melted my heart. I'm glad they're so excited. I hope tomorrow is special for them.