All Aboard!

December 23rd, 2009 by Dionna | 12 Comments
Posted in Children, Eclectic Learning, Just for Fun/Miscellaneous, My Family, Preschoolers, Toddlers

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Because Kieran has been obsessed with trains lately, Tom and I decided that he would really get a kick out of riding on an Amtrak passenger train for his birthday. Originally, Tom was going to join us for a co-op class that I arranged where we would get together with friends for an Amtrak ride. Unfortunately he couldn’t get off work, so that meant that Kieran got to ride the train twice – first with me and Tom, and a few days later with the co-op class. Kieran didn’t complain.

This is a great time of year to ride Amtrak to Union Station in Kansas City. Not only do you get to ride a real passenger train, but once you arrive at Union Station you can see an elaborate miniature railroad display, kids can take a ride on the little “Holiday Spirit” train, and for an added treat you can head over to Fritz’s at Crown Center for a lunch delivered by a mechanical train.

Here are a few pictures from Kieran’s first train rides.

Waiting at the train stop with our friend Mischka. It was COLD!

Here comes the train!

Our friend Tonia helped Kieran on board while I snapped pictures.

Dining in the dining car!

Kieran checking out the model trains

This isn't the greatest picture, but it gives you an idea of the scale of the miniature railroad - and this isn't even showing you a third of it.

A cool picture Tom got while waiting for our return trip.

And there you have it!

Kieran’s favorite part was walking between the cars. That’s all he wanted to do on both occasions. He also wanted to keep tabs on the conductor at all times. If the conductor got out of our sight, Kieran repeated, “duc-doh go? duc-doh go?”

Tom and I have already decided that an Amtrak ride will be a holiday tradition.

12 Responses to:
"All Aboard!"

1. Theta Mom

   Dec-23-09 at 8:38 am

   

   What great photos! Have a wonderful holiday, and thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
   • Dionna   CodeNameMama
     

     Dec-23-09 at 9:21 pm

     

     Thank you :)
2. Tonia

   Dec-23-09 at 9:09 am

   

   Ahh, they look so cute all bundled up :)
   • Dionna   CodeNameMama
     

     Dec-23-09 at 9:21 pm

     

     I think they were rolling their little eyes at me taking pictures in the cold ;)
3. JDaniel4's Mom

   Dec-23-09 at 3:35 pm

   

   Sometimes little ones find the smallest things to enjoy the most.
   • Dionna   CodeNameMama
     

     Dec-23-09 at 9:22 pm

     

     I know, I love it!
4. Kelly

   Dec-23-09 at 10:49 pm

   

   So fun! We are going to Union Station this weekend to do the exact thing!
   • Dionna   CodeNameMama
     

     Dec-27-09 at 5:08 pm

     

     Did you guys have fun?
5. Sarah @ OneStarryNight   starrymom
   

   Dec-24-09 at 4:34 am

   

   That is an awesome idea for a birthday! From the photographs he seems thrilled and excited.

   It’s amazing how involved the miniature train scenes can get, my father used to do it for a bit when I was younger.
   • Dionna   CodeNameMama
     

     Dec-27-09 at 5:09 pm

     

     I remember my dad had an electric train set for awhile. I love how much detail they put into everything!
6. Mom

   Dec-24-09 at 3:59 pm

   

   I so wish that I had been able to be there!! We will have to do it again when I can join you, unless you think Kieran would object to a THIRD train ride!!! lol
   • Dionna   CodeNameMama
     

     Dec-27-09 at 5:09 pm

     

     I’m sure he wouldn’t mind!