As I mentioned in my spring break post, one of the highlights of our road trip home was a side stop at a train station near Birmingham, Alabama for A Day Out with Thomas. We kept this as a surprise for Briggs and he was in awe when we pulled into the parking lot and saw Thomas parked at the station.
This was a big event with a variety of Thomas themed activities, food vendors, and fun for the kids. We skipped the Thomas video and story telling station, the Thomas coloring area, the sand box, the hula hoops, the mini golf, and (thankfully) the big Thomas gift shop tent, but still had lots of fun with the activities we chose to do.
There were Thomas temporary tattoos. Briggs chose Harold the Helicoptor and Adelie chose a train called Rebecca. Staley chose not to get one.
Both girls had a great time at the big bubble station. They spent a long time here.
I think this might have been both their favorites. Briggs lost interest quickly in the bubbles, so he and Zach walked around the train station to check out all the old trains that were parked there.
There were lots of old train cars and train engines that you could look at, climb on, and explore. Even if Thomas and all the activities hadn't been there, I think it still would have been a fun place to stop for Briggs.
There was a tent that had about 5 or 6 train tables set up. #heaven We went in there early in our trip, but there were too many kids and Briggs didn't want to play. However, when we checked it out later, it was pretty empty and Briggs had a great time. He did keep moving from table to table to avoid having to share a table with other kids. Each time another kid would come to play at his table, Briggs would look around and immediately move to an empty table. While Briggs played train table, the girls enjoyed a big bouncy house.
And then the kids got to meet Sir Topham Hat.
The highlight, of course, was seeing Thomas. Briggs will be quick to tell you that he met "the REAL Thomas." Thomas's eyes and mouth moved, he made a peeping sound, and smoke came out of his smoke stack. But the best part?
We got to ride on a train car that was being pulled by Thomas!
It was a fun, relaxing little 20 minute train ride. Anytime we can ride on a train is great, but riding on a train that is pulled by Thomas? Really, what could be more exciting??
So yes, we did take a break from our road trip to ride on a different mode of transportation, but none of the kids seemed to mind. Especially not Briggs!
What a great way to make the road trip home a little more fun.
Bye, Thomas!!
