Thomas the Tank Engine Makes a Lasting Impression

I accidentally introduced my 2 ½ year old son to Thomas the Tank Engine one Friday night last summer. We had no idea where that one video would lead. After a full weekend of watching the same ½ hour video about a talking train and his engine friends a dozen times, Dylan was hooked, and frankly, so was I. The following week we bought our own Thomas video.

For his third birthday he received a beloved Thomas sweatshirt that he put on immediately, a Thomas book, and his first train set – a Thomas the Tank Engine train set. We played with that train set everyday for months.

Santa brought him more train tracks and engines. Every night Daddy, Mommy and Dylan played with Thomas, shaping and molding the wooden tracks into a different design each night. Each layout was unique and inspired by the child in each of us. We looked forward to setting up the track and running the trains. It is here, Dylan learned the sentence, "I have an idea." Daddy would say that every night as he decided where tracks should be laid. Soon Dylan said the same thing and manipulated the tracks to get them the way he wanted. I proudly watched him problem solve and create with his Thomas track.

He proudly wore his new sweatshirt and a hand-me-down t-shirt every week and insisted he sleep in them the same night. I laughingly obliged. How could I resist?

Thomas has his own web site, equipped with fun games, loads of merchandise and a schedule of live Thomas outings. A real Thomas train existed that took children and their families for rides? Wow – so we could – and did - "Spend the Day Out with Thomas."

That April we rode a real live Thomas train, and as I watched the excitement in Dylan’s eyes, I knew I would never forget it. His imagination came to life as he stood next to the giant engine. He stood proud next to Sir Topham Hat, the head of the Sodor Railroad as I snapped pictures. As I watched him play with the elaborate train sets displayed at his level, Dylan jumped in the swarms of pint-sized kids and shared and imagined with total strangers. We dropped $50 on Thomas merchandise that day, and that was the merchandise Daddy and I wanted!

As we listened to our new Thomas CD on our ride home where Dylan slept soundly, I sat back in my seat exhausted, and happy. My son rode on a real Thomas train. Watching his eyes light up that weekend reminded me of my childhood. It wasn’t that long ago. Getting excited over the small things like eating ice cream, visiting grandparents and seeing your idol in person – these are memories you never forget. As you get older, the memory may fade, but the happiness of being together as a family and the fulfillment of your parents giving you their undivided attention is what you remember. No phones, work or chore distractions this weekend. Just pure family fun. And now I get to experience a second childhood, through the eyes of my son and create happy memories with him.

All the planning and exhaustion that comes with a family weekend is worth every ounce of energy and money when you know you’ve made your child happy. Dylan wants to ride a Thomas train again. Wants to see Sir Topham Hat. Wants to sleep in a hotel with a pool. Frankly, so do I. I can’t wait to make more memories, and of course, ride Thomas the Tank Engine.