Playground and Cupcakes

After our fun morning at Buell's, Julie, Reyo and Xavier came down for the afternoon.  Michael made us some yummy cheeseburgers for lunch and then we headed out to the playground to let the little ones run off some steam.  Afterwards, we headed back to our house and made Halloween cupcakes, which AJ absolutely loved and gobbled right on up!

Sharing Julie's Kindle

Sliding with new friends

Tire swing! 

These two are the best of friends!

Plugged in!

Yummy Halloween cupcake!

Nom nom nom!

Look at that frosting smile!

Xavier does not dig cupcakes... bummer!

Giddings Park Playdate with Julie and Xavier

While Daddy and Reyo went out to pick up some items for our dinner, Julie, Xavier, AJ and I headed to Giddings Park right down the road for an afternoon of fun!

Swing time!

Double swings!

Walkway fun...

I love how they are side by side.

Totally looks like AJ is on the phone..

Xavier didn't waste any time getting down the slide once AJ went down!

'What?!'

Then the boys decided to run from the playground to the farthest baseball/softball field....

And then back towards the playground again.

Then we found a bridge.

Then it was snack time!

And then back to slide time....

Don't let this picture fool you... he barely walked on the walkway the whole time we were there.  I wasn't able to capture a picture, but both Xavier and AJ would slide down the walkway on their butt and think it was the most hilarious thing ever! Silly boys!

AJ loves the tire swing!

Once Daddy and Reyo came back from shopping, they joined in on the playground fun as well!

A Day Out with Thomas

Last year I found out that Thomas the Tank Engine comes to the Essex Steam Train Railyard and I knew that we would have to get tickets for the upcoming year.  Fast forward to this past January and the second they announced that Thomas would be coming in May - I purchased those tickets!!  We also got tickets for our friends Julie, Reyo and their son Xavier so it would be a fun outing!

Our train ride didn't depart until 3pm, but we arrived around 2pm and took the Percy Shuttle to the Railyard.   From there, we walked around the mini carnival, the kids played with some train tables while Mommy and Daddy perused the Thomas goods to purchase and then it was time for our ride!  AJ absolutely LOVED the train ride and was super excited about the steam that was coming out of Thomas!  Every time Thomas huffed, AJ would scream out 'STEAM!'!  AJ received a Junior Conductor certificate after his train ride and also got to meet Sir Topham Hat.  After buying a few Thomas branded items for AJ we then headed back to the cars, but first AJ took his first school bus ride back to the parking lot!  It was such a fun day for all!

Our little conductor is ready to meet Thomas!

Welcome!

All aboard the Percy Shuttle!

Loving the open windows...

Checking everything out. 

The whole rail car we were in. 

WHat is that face, Mr. Alexander?!

Fun with friends on the Percy Shuttle!

And now we're on Thomas! Looking out at the mini carnival rides...

He couldn't contain his excitment!

Quick pic with Mom

Before back to looking outside as we got going on the train.

Can you tell he was excited for Thomas?!

I think he sees some steam out there!

AJ received his Junior Conductor certificate.

'Reading' it over

We then tried to get a picture with Thomas...

We weren't very successful with Daddy...

...So maybe Mommy? Nope!

We got one of AJ looking at Thomas though!

And a good solo picture of Thomas!

We gave up and went in to meet Sir Topham Hat!

Sir Topham Hat

Xavier and Julie sharing a moment on the bus back to the parking lot. 

AJ was excited about the bus ride, whereas Daddy was ready for it to be over!