The Ladies McGurr Love Thomas and Maddie REALLY loves Sir Topham Hatt


This weekend the Ladies McGurr (and their parents) took a rather spontaneous trip to see the Thomas the Tank Engine Tour in Lebanon, Ohio. Spontaneous for us means buying the tickets the day before. We talked about doing the Thomas thing earlier in the summer when we were in Cleveland, but did not have the time. So, we thought we might go to this one (near Cincinnati), but a colleague at work reminded me that it was coming up. Here are some pics of the girls and Sean on the train.















The girls enjoyed seeing Thomas and loved the ride. Thomas goes forward and backward for a mile or two, but that was enough for them. They also had tents set up for a gift shop, video watching, and other things to spend your money on.

Bettie's favorite train is Toby, but Maddie's favorite is not a train at all, but the railroad controller, Sir Topham Hatt. Just like her mother she has a thing for British aristocrats. They had a special tent where you could meet Sir T.H. himself, but there was a long line. Plus, he left every half hour to take a half hour break. So, if you waited and line and he went on break, you were stuck there for another half hour. We did not think Maddie could handle that, so Sean ambushed the tent and got this picture.





I have a soft spot for old Sir T.H. because he was the first thing that Maddie told us she wanted. We used to ask her all the time what she wanted (to try to bribe her for the pottie), but she never said anything. Finally she started saying "Mr. Topham Hatt" (she has no respect for his title). So, we found a tiny figure of him (there is not much out there that I could find for him). She was so excited and we threatened to take him and TooDee (a Yo Gabba Gabba toy) away if she did not keep going poopie in the pottie. After losing them for a few days, she relented and now does not even wear a pull up at bedtime. Sir T.H. can perform miracles! No wonder the line was so long.

We went to McDonalds for lunch and they had a great Playplace. The town of Lebanon itself was beautiful and worth a trip. They often have train related stuff going on all year around. The day was a little much for the girls after their first week of school, so we stayed around the house today. They entertained themselves by playing pretend beach.

Bettie started the game, but Maddie joined in after a bit (and after she got over the fact that we were really not going swimming). As our parting shots, here are the bathing beauties.