Train Show!

GrandBob read in the paper that a train show was going to be at the State Fairgrounds. We decided to check it out, figuring it'd keep Brendan amused and probably Katelyn as well. Unfortunately, we wasted entirely too much time in the front exhibit hall (I didn't realize that there were two and Chris didn't comment until we were almost done with the first!) which was mostly places selling various model train stuff. A few had train tables and such for the kids to play at and several had Thomas HO gauge set ups that were cool to watch.

But the two best things (besides tons of huge model train set ups) were in the second exhibit hall. A Thomas the train engine with Annie & Clarabel coaches that kids could ride in. The line was super long by the time we got in there and I wasn't a 100% certain that Brendan would actually ride it once we got to the front of the line...they were both getting tired and hungry by this point. They also had a huge pile of Thomas Trackmaster stuff on the floor that all the kids could play with. They had track, some train station buildings, tons of Thomas engines that go on their own, plus carriages and Annie & Clarabels for Thomas to pull.

Brendan can be pretty rough on his trains...he likes to see them have accidents, i.e. fall off the kitchen table, couch, etc. So for that reason (& the fact that we currently have tons of Thomas Take n Play as well as more hidden in the basement for birthdays, etc.) we have told him that he can't have Trackmaster until he's 5. I was super impressed with how nicely he played with the Trackmaster stuff. It doesn't have magnets to couple the trains, but actual plastic couplers which he was able to do for the most part.