If you ask Mark Garrett what he thinks heaven will be like I’m pretty sure he would say that it will be something like what we did on Saturday.  I have never seen him star struck or speechless, but he was both at our Day Out with Thomas adventure.  We drove 90 minutes to Thomaston, CT to ride the “real” Thomas and Mark was so excited the whole way there.  The first highlight of the day came when we got to ride the yellow school bus from the parking area to the station.  He was thrilled, especially since he asks me nearly every day to ride the school bus that drops off kids in our neighborhood.  We arrived at the station and he was his usual wiggly self waiting in line to get on Thomas.  I’m pretty sure I threatened to beat him 2-3 times before we got on the train for kicking rocks and picking up gravel and dirt.  (White shirts - what was I thinking?!?)  But we finally boarded and he was bouncing up and down, going from seat to seat so excited.  Suddenly the music started and the train started moving and it was too much for him.  He got completely still and quiet.  He was staring at the inside of the coach and out the window.  He looked like he could cry at any moment and that’s how he rode for the entire ride.  After the ride we took a picture with Thomas and he got to play with lots of different train sets. Finally, we got to meet Sir Topham Hatt.  Even though Mark had been watching the other kids and had seen Sir Topham Hatt while we were waiting in line he froze when it was our turn.  I had to nudge him forward to get a picture.  He was completely star struck and in awe.  I think the pictures tell the story best...

Thomas arriving at the station

The train starts and Mark is speechless

Oops!  Mom cut off Thomas’s head!

Notice the gaping mouth...