As I've stated before, I don't get out of the house very often during the day with the littles, and before I do, I always have to have a plan of how I'm going to keep the two of them in tow at each of our various stops. I usually end up deciding it's best to wait for Daddy to get home so I have help. But, today I needed to visit the post office to mail packages so I went ahead and tossed a couple of other errands into the mix. To keep the bigger little good, there was the promise of a new toy at our final destination--the world's greatest toy store.
The littles keep a piggy bank where Daddy and I toss our spare change. It was once solely Lxkas's piggy, but it's only fair that he share now that he has a little sister. Usually, by the end of two months there will be well over $10 in there, and that's when it's time to visit the Coin Star machine in our Neighborhood Market so he and sissy can cash out for a new something special. That something special is usually a toy from the Thomas and Friends franchise for Lxkas and something Clara can chew on. And yes, Lxkas's take of the loot is usually a bit more than Clara's, but her needs in that department aren't yet as great as his, so for now I think we're okay. Today was no different.
Lxkas proudly carried his cup of change into the store while I carried Clara. He didn't even threaten to run away, which was a relief because as we walked I kept envisioning the nightmare scenario where I'm trying to pick pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters off the floor while I'm juggling a baby in one arm and trying to catch a 2-year-old with the other. I would be one arm short and the whole scene would be quite embarrassing.
When the Coin Star finished counting we had $13.84. I added $4 in cash that was in his piggy and their total was just under $18.
Upon our arrival at the toy store he was antsy to get out of the car and he knew right where to go. In this particular aisle there is a large train table set up with several examples of Thomas's friends who have what looks like miles of track to explore on. In fact, we got the idea for Lxkas's much smaller train table from this one. His train table was a big hit when he received it on his 2nd birthday last month. However, as of late it's been a bit disheveled and neglected with track strewn where ever and "choo-choos" (as he calls them, though he's starting to call them engines) that have wandered far from home to different parts of the living room.
He was so excited about adding to his collection that he didn't allow Bash (the new engine's name) to be bagged at check-out, and as soon as I had snapped him in to his car seat he was tearing through the packaging while I fastened Clara. When we walked into the house he saw his train table wasn't good enough to welcome its newest member so he directed me in helping him put his track back together and collect all the engines we could find.
Once again the train table, the track and the engines are as exciting as they were the day he first received them. The train table sits immaculate with engines lined up and awaiting their next adventure with the bigger of the littles--until the coming weeks when one by one they slowly adventure away to be forgotten under a couch or down a vent. He will play with them, but never will they be this exciting again.
Until, in a couple of months, when I'm almost positive a new engine will join the ranks and they will all get together for another welcoming party and to be special again.
