Tommy 06/03

Tommy's Birthday Extravganza!

Tommy meets his idol

Does he look excited or what? (May 03)

Two days before Tommy's third birthday, we set out on a great adventure, an all-day excursion to the Nihon Monkey Park, an amusement park where Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends were on display. Tommy fit in well with all the other train-obsessed preschoolers. What a wild place!

Here comes James! What a splendid engine!

Riding on James with Dad

Playing in the ballpit

Probably the greatest day of Tommy's life!

Watching a Thomas video with other Thomas fanatics

It looks like Tommy is reaching the overload stage; he's completely dumbfounded.

Tommy's birthday party was a much calmer event than the Monkey Park excursion. We celebrated at home with his babysitter Yuka Suzuki and her mom, Misako. Of course, Thomas the Tank Engine was not excluded: Tommy's gifts included Thomas the Tank Engine sandals (from Mom and Dad), a Thomas the Tank Engine mug (from Misako), two Thomas the Tank Engine books (from Grandma Sue and Sarah's Japanese tutor), a Thomas the Tank Engine pencil sharpener and eraser set (from Yuka's brother Yuuki), and an Edward (Thomas's friend) toy (from Yuka)!

Posing with one of many Thomas gifts