A Boy and His Trains

{Or his Papa's trains to be exact.}

After church this morning I took Earlybird over to visit my folks. As I've mentioned many times, EB is a HUGE train fan ... he loves to read about them, watch them (in videos and in real life), and though he has yet to actually ride one, he's convinced they are the best way to travel, period. But did you also know that my dad is a train fan as well ... and a longtime model railroader, too?

(I don't think it's a coincidence EB was born on his birthday. :))

Anyhoo, it had been a long couple of weeks for EB - not getting out - due to his illness and that of his brothers (and his mother ... and now his father, too it seems). So this morning he and I stepped out into the bright, chilly sunshine and headed over to Nana and Papa's house. Earlybird loves spending time at his Nana and Papa's ... Nana cooks him good food and sits and chats with him, while Papa watches trains (and talks trains) with him. But today there was something extra special awaiting EB ... Papa had a new model railroad to show him!

Here are a few pictures of EB with my folks and my dad's layout, which, as you'll see, is still under construction, but very much up and running! 

(I should note - that is chapping around EB's mouth. He tends to lap his lips repeatedly when the weather is cold and dry. It's awful to get rid of, and though it looks painful, it's really more a nusiance than anything. Also, I am quite aware the boy is in dire need of a haircut ... that's just been low on the priority list lately. ;))

But oh, that face ...

He was just in awe. 

He wanted to know all about it ...

Nana explained Papa's diagrams showing the overall design.

There were two trains running today ... and Papa allowed EB to monitor the speed of this one.

He also got to blow the horn; Papa showed him which button to press ...

And press it he did!

As you can tell from the framework, the layout will be quite large once finished. It fills up most of the basement ...

And I think it's safe to say it will be very much enjoyed ...

... by train fans of all ages!

❤

So now we're home again, and I'm puttering over my planner (and this post) while going through craft supplies and assembling my Lenten journal. All good Sunday things ... quietly productive things. It's a long weekend for many Americans as tomorrow brings Presidents Day, and goodness, am I glad it's a 3-day weekend ... we can surely use it around here!

And tonight of course brings another installment of our beloved Downton Abbey ~ the Christmas special (yay!) which will serve as the last show of the season (boo!). Dear ladies, what on earth will we do next Sunday, lol? 

Well, we'll worry about next Sunday next Sunday ... but tomorrow I'll be here to discuss how everything wrapped up ... and I can't wait to chat with you all!

In the meantime, I hope you all have a nice Sunday night, wherever you are and whatever your plans ... I'll be back here again very soon!

Comments

[Dawn]

Thank you all for these very sweet comments! We are very blessed indeed to have my folks in our life! :D

And I have to tell you all what a comfort it is to hear so many of you (or I should say, your children) deal with that same mouth rash! I always feel so badly that it gets like this and cringe when we're out in public. We also try to add salve at night ... but it just takes so darn long to heal! (I agree Winter's End is the best Rx for this situation!)

Teresa, I will do a post this week on my calendar and daybook - how I'm using them together (and separately). It's always a work in progress but things have been working well for me lately!

Penny, my mum did in fact have a cake! She actually baked it for my dad's model railroaders club meeting the day before, but I got to enjoy a slice with a cup of coffee during my visit. :)

Thanks again everyone for your kind thoughts and helpful suggestions!

BLessings,
~ Dawn

[Tanya W]

Poor Bill! Hope he is feeling better soon...that norovirus doesn't like to leave any stone (or person) unturned!

And wow...What a train layout!! Crispin (our oldest, 12) is an avid train "kid" and we were blessed to find a number of model train collectors while we were visiting my parents in rural Manitoba. He was in awe!

I love the look of absolute joy on EB's face and also (I've thought this many times) the look of utter love on the faces of your mum and dad. It's plain they adore their grandsons and you and Bill. So special for them to have such a great relationship with their grandchildren and for your boys to have such grandparents. What blessings!

Our Gregory has the same ring around his mouth right now and though we work at it, is hasn't gotten much better. I think the end of winter is exactly what is prescribed! We use an all natural body "butter" with no essential oils from Rocky Mountain Soap Factory to slather his mouth just before he goes to bed and it helps some. (BTW...so encouraging to see all these comments from people who also have a child at home with the same condition!! I don't feel so alone!)

Take care, Dawn and glad you get a holiday tomorrow so everyone can get back to full health and strength. Praying for Bill as he recovers.

[Lisa Taylor]

I must admit - I ordered the second season of Downton from amazon and my husband and I cheated and have already watched the Christmas episode.
I'm not saying one word about it :-)

But what *will* we watch next??

Ideas from everyone out there in "Dawn's Blog Land" would be appreciated!

~Lisa

[Ellie]

Oh my, Dawn! The memories that are flooding back on reading (and seeing!) this post. You see, i grew up in a family with three train-mad members, and we had a set-up like that in our basement! How amazing, it looks so much like what we had. Looking at these photos, I can remember, in my body, how it felt to duck under the support beams to get inside the layout -- usually to rescue a derailed train, or to move a little building!

EB is so lucky to have such grandparents! :-)

[Mary]

Hi Dawn,

Wow! You have an amazing Dad (and Mom too!). I am so impressed with the train set and it is wonderful to see the look of awe on EB's face. You can tell he was having a wonderful time.

And for Bill - hope he feels better soon! He is in our prayers.

Looking forward to hearing all about your wonderful Lenten crafts. You always have such lovely suggestions...even my 13 year old son enjoys them! :-)

Have a wonderful evening.

Love,
Mary :-)

[Caroline Haydu]

What an amazing train layout! I loved seeing it and the intense interest on EB's face. A child's relations with his grandparents has such a profound influence.
We're dealing with chapped lips here, too. Best solution: the end of winter! I saw daffodils blooming here today-hurrah!!

[Helene]

What an awesome Papa! Your EB is a lucky little guy! We have struggled with those chapped rashes, too. Ultimately, simple A&D was the most effective remedy, though they can be stubborn. Hope Bill is well soon. Can't wait to check in here tomorrow at lunch to read everyone's opinions/interpretations and reactions to the last DA episode of the season! Your Mom should have a cooking show all her own. Happy Sunday!

[Danielle M.]

We have that chapped lip thing going on here too. I out Vaseline or neosporin on it, AFTER my boys are asleep or they won't let me near them and it helps a lot.

We all love trains too, what a treat that your boys can be involved with them and your Dad all the time. my Father In Law has a great set-up, but my boys only get to visit there a couple of times a year.

I hope your whole family is in good health soon.

[Penny]

First of all - poor Bill. I hope he gets better soon. :) And secondly WOW, that is a marvelous train set up. Your Dad is too cool - and your Mom can join in? Even cooler! How awesome for EB to have such a special connection with them. In fact, all your boys have very special connections with them - you have mentioned various things they do with the boys many times - how perfectly, perfectly wonderful. Lucky boys. And grandparents!

Speaking of your Mom... did she make a cake? And do you think she will ever publish a cake cookbook? And if not can she add her cakes to the seasonal book that you will undoubtedly write one day (not to be pushy or anything lol)?

Your family never ceases to inspire me and make me smile. Thank you for sharing them with all of us!

Enjoy Downton!

[cousin Amy]

Wow, what a great train set up. I remember being down in their basement as a child and watching the trains but the set up was alot smaller. My little guy has the same rash above his upper lip, he gets it every winter. We use
Aquaphor Healing Ointment for it. At night when he is sleeping I sometimes put Neosporin on it, which works really well. I have to do it while he is sleeping so he doesn't lick it, lol!

[Teresa]

Good Sunday afternoon to you,Dawn! What a nice time for E.B
I want to encourage you to not be too hard on yourself-you have had a trying couple of weeks! Give yourself some grace. E.B.'s hair is fine and I'm sure its in that planner of to do's:)lol.
When my daughter gets the ring around her mouth, I slab on some neosporin before bed, it seems to help. It's hard for them to not lick.

I wanted to ask- you mentioned having an idea how to make your calendar pages work with your big spiral planner-- Are you going to do a post on that????

Have a good afternoon,
Teresa in OHio