I take it back. Remember when I said I hate Thomas the Tank Engine and he will never enter my house? Well, like any good child, Ellis has been on a mission to break me down. It started with the wee Thomas bag he almost stole from the yarn shop in Stirling. THen, he and our little neighbour boy colluded in 2 year old speak and Ellis would try and steal all of D's Thomas toys. (yes, I notice the shoplifting trend)

Then, there were several Barnes and Noble incidences, where E screamed bloody murder when forced to leave the Thomas play table that occupies part of the children's section. EWach time, he had to be dragged away screaming "CHOO CHOO!"

Therefore it was inevitable that Thams would enter our house (let's face it it was inevitable the second I said I didn't want anything to do with it). Mom, bought him a wooden Thomas set and its lovely. He spends hours playing with it. Though, we have had to take away the tracks as E is remarkably OCD when it comes to train play and his 20 month old motor skills don't match his ambitions. At least we know what to get him for his birthday...

Joking aside, I am a bit miffed that branded toys feature so strongly in our house at the minute..He has a couple of in the night garden things and some CArs from the movie "Cars". I guess I don't want Ellis to be sucked into the merchandising cycle, but its really already too late. isn't it. He has also watched more tv this holiday then he has in his entire life times two. Its going to be so boring when we get home...

Tomorrow is our last day before we begin making the epic journey back. Driving to Chicago, then flying to London (after a horrific wait at Schilpol Airport in Amsterdam, we were bumped off our original flight and have a 5 hour wait at my least favourite airport in the world.) We are going to be in London for a few days and then its off back home. Although I am really dreading more travel, I am so looking forward to being home! I am ready to get back in a routine.