Even though we haven't had the sunniest or most blue skies kind of a summer this year (still hoping things change for August!), we decided we weren't going to let the gray skies and rain keep us home bound. Starting this month, once a week, we plan a fun outing for the boys. "The boys" (and sometimes a couple girls) are Tate's buddies from playgroup. I have really enjoyed looking into all the fun things you can do close to home-things boys would love. Boys things like trains!
We loaded up the kiddos and headed over to North Bend (about a 30 minute drive) to check out the old trains they have. You can pay to ride the trains, or you can just get up close for free:) Us mom's opted for the free option seeing as you never know how long the kids will stay happy. We had a great time exploring the train depot and getting dirty.
Tate sill isn't into cooperating for pictures the little stinker. I did manage to get his face in this picture with him and Gage as we walked down this long corridor of trains. Blake and I were bringing up the rear since I ditched the stroller (too hard to push over the cobble stones), and walked at Blake pace which is not fast.
We were totally excited to find Thomas at the end of our walk. You can also pay a pretty penny to go on a ride with Thomas. Thomas comes up I think a couple times during the year for some train rides. Even though his face was covered, there is no mistaking that blue train.
Trying to get all the kids to sit and look in the same direction is always the joy of the field trip.
Blake was quite happy to have rocks in his hands and dirt in his mouth. He was one dirty boy by the end of the train visit-the clothes came off before he got into the car.
Kelsey is one of Blake's BFF's and a great helper. Blake was just getting his "walking legs" and Kelsey was always there to help him up or just to walk around with him. It was very nice only having to chase one child :)
Tate was determined to push the stroller everywhere we went . . . even empty.
This was Tate's favorite train because inside it had gears (or "shifters" as Tate calls them) that actually moved. Tate wanted to just stay in that seat moving those gears and had a hard time sharing the train with the other kids.
Another of Blake's BFF's Emma. We were having a little snack break and these too were so cute sharing the crackers and other snacks.
After getting our fill of the trains we crossed the street to this cool candy shop. Heaven for all the kids. They had salt water taffy in all these open bins and Tate just grabbed a bag and started putting all different kinds in. Sometimes that kid has perfect timing to get what he wants. I was somewhat distracted trying to navigate the stroller with a cranky Blake through the small store and just wanted to get a treat and get Blake some lunch. Tate got much more then I would have normally liked, but we at least tried to save some for John.
A little lunch (Cheetos wasn't all that lunch consisted of) and the tears go away. Tate loved watching them make taffy behind the glass. The guy making it even slipped us a couple fresh pieces! It was delicious. I definitely anticipate that no outing with these boys will be perfect--like with no tears or breakdowns or begging for expensive candy. Even with some or all of the above things, I still had a great time and was happy to get the boys out of the house with their friends.
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