2 1/2 years old

I celebrated turning 2.5 years old (or 30 months) by taking a train ride. It was the North Pole Flyer and we rode deep into the Hill Country.

We had to wake up very early for my train trip. Normally this would not be a problem for me since I am generally an early bird but I am still living on Seattle time and cannot seem to get settled back into our time zone. It is great in the morning (we sleep until 9:00am sometimes) but it doesn't work out so well with naps and bedtime.

We arrived at the train early enough to board and get settled. I was so very excited. In the first photo, you will see my train car attendant (dressed in red). Because I was the most interested, and most interesting, passenger, I got some extra benefits. We heard the entire history of the train and the line it now travels on. We were allowed to sit in what were once used as the sleeping cabins and he showed us the little compartments where one would put shoes at night and the porter would come around and shine them before morning. We also saw the galley with the seltzer dispensers (now inoperable) but they used to make rootbeer and pineapple and orange soda on the train. The train attendant did serve some lovely treats and cocoa. He might just make the best cocoa in the world. He gave me and my mom seconds . . . and thirds . . . and whatever we wanted.

In the second photo, I am getting my tickets stamped by the conductor. Though we had visits from Santa (he was a bit aggressive and hurried for my taste) and Mrs Claus, the railway staff was the best part of the trip.

Seats on this train are in such high demand that it is almost time to buy my tickets for next year.

This might have been my best birthday yet aside from barfing at bedtime. I was mad because my mom was working on Christmas cards and that meant my dad had to put me to bed from start to finish. so I barfed. That will show my dad.