Ever since Carson was just a little guy, he has loved Thomas the Tank Engine. Our playroom, a virtual Island of Sodor, is filled with Thomas, his engine friends, and all the track and cargo two kids could ever want. Between Netflix and our collection of DVDs, we have probably seen every episode of Thomas ever made. Like a preschool-aged frat house, we regularly quote lines from Thomas movies, “bust my boilers! Cinders and ashes! Sir Topham Hatt was cross!”
I haven’t always liked Thomas, but since he’s been such a big part of our lives for nearly five years, I can’t help but have a special place in my heart for that cheeky, little blue engine.
This week at the library, I found what I thought was the holy grail of children’s literature, a collection Thomas stories written by the Rev. W. Awdry, the author and creator of Thomas.
“Look! Carson! Ella!” I waved them over to the where I was standing. “Look at this book! It has every Thomas story in it!”
“Oh. Yeah,” Carson and Ella shrugged with polite indifference.
Later that night after reading a few of the stories, I mentioned to Carson that we should look on Amazon to see if we could find the book so that we could buy it and have one of our own.
“Nah,” Carson said. “I don’t think I really care about Thomas anymore.” I tried not to audibly gasp. “I like Mario and Spiderman now.”
To think that I never thought this stage would pass and now, here we are on the verge of the end! I’m going to wake up tomorrow and it will be time for him to leave for college, won’t it?
I remember very much when Thomas stopped being number one in our house. I cried when Jacob asked for Cars instead. He always drove me crazy but I missed him so much and still do even though Adam has recently started playing with him, it’s not the same.
andria´s last [type] ..Why
Ella still plays with Thomas a little, but mostly she just plays with whatever Carson is playing.
That just happened in our house. I sadly packed them away. I still haven’t sold them as I’m sure they’ll want them back the moment I sell them.
Kara´s last [type] ..Kids and Allergies
It’ll be awhile before I could actually part with all the Thomas stuff. Some of it, I don’t know if I could ever sell!
My oldest turned 6 in January. After Christmas we were talking about what he might want for his birthday and his answer was “Big boy toys…not anything for babies like Mickey or Thomas anymore”. I *may* have teared up a little…
Bridget´s last [type] ..Slipping through my fingers…
When I told my husband about what Carson had said, I almost cried! He looked at me like I was a loon, but then I think he realized that actually it was a very sad thing, to be moving on from baby-ish toys.
This makes me sad!!
We went to the movies this past weekend, my 8 and 10 year old girls and I. There was a preview for a new Winnie the Pooh movie, and I made them swear that they would not be too old by this summer to go and watch that movie. My 10 year old rolled her eyes, but the 8 year old was grinning and said she’s love to go see it. Fingers crossed. I don’t think I’ll survive the day they get too old for Pooh Bear. It was hard enough giving up Bear in the Big Blue House.
All Things BD´s last [type] ..Road Trip!
Their preferences can change so fast!! We just bought even more Thomas stuff for the kids at Christmas! That was less than two months ago!
(And HI!)
My 2 year old son has JUST started getting into Thomas. And I almost teared up reading this thinking about him growing up and growing out of his love for trains.
If you decide to sell any of it, let me know! LOL
Courtney K.´s last [type] ..The View
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to sell any of it!!
This is starting to happen with my older son too. I thought I’d be happy to stop reading those boring Thomas books, but. . .
Triplezmom´s last [type] ..Bad Mother Chronicles- part 1196
The books really are awful, aren’t they?!? I can’t believe I’m actually going to miss them!
My nephew was the same way. He was obsessed with Thomas for a few years, and then all of sudden when he started kindergarten it was like someone flipped a light switch. Now it’s out with Thomas, and Hellloooooo Toy Story! Now it’s Buzz this, and Woody that. New obsession, and my sister is so sad to see all the Thomas stuff (and all the money spent on said Thomas stuff) go…
Sincerely, Jenni´s last [type] ..We Were Almost At the Toy-Buying Finish Line
The money! I swear I could probably feed a lot of people with the money we’ve spent on Thomas stuff.
We are still a few years away from that, it will be a sad but happy day here.
Heather´s last [type] ..Shark Cupcakes
Oh, I know. My son has been Thomas-free for a while now, and yet when a few weeks ago we actually parted with our collection of the Thomas trains and passed it on to another kid, I felt a real loss. Sigh.
Marinka´s last [type] ..I’m Right- You’re Wrong
There’s a few things I’ll have to keep forever, but not so much that I’ll one day appear on Hoarders.
casey, my 4yo shunned thomas for a couple months, but just a few days ago he’s rediscovered his love. LOL, i’m not going to lie, i was glad to see thomas again.
p.s. love that you got rid of the click and highlight restrictions. i like to highlight as i read so i don’t lose my place when i look up to count kids
MommyNamedApril´s last [type] ..Because Occassionally You Just Need to Feel in Control of Something
I know they’ll probably play with the stuff again, I just can’t believe he actually SAID that he didn’t care about Thomas anymore!!
It was like a dagger straight through my heart when my daughter announced she was too old for PBS Kids. (She’s seven)
They grow up so fast these days. I mean, I played with Barbies until I was like fourteen!
Rima´s last [type] ..I Think Banana Clips Might Be Out of Vogue
I remember the last time I played, I think I was in 7th grade? It was with my Barbies!
That almost makes me a little bit sad. It’s not birthdays that make me tear up, it’s packing away a favorite shirt because it’s too small or taking down the crib because she’s in a big bed.
Mom Went Crazy´s last [type] ..A Charmed Life
I just gave away our pack and play and it almost made me cry, handing it over to the new mom. Ouch.
we are still definitely in the thick of it, and actually just purchased tickets for the live thomas the train event. bust my buffer, it will be a bitter sweet feeling to say goodbye to thomas one day!
I still plan on going to the Day out with Thomas this spring!
It’s kind of funny, Cars was the number one hit around here and while it’s still well loved I think it’s being usurped. By Thomas, and Dinosaur Train, and other things brought in by Netflix. Weird.
I blame Netflix for Carson’s new found love of Spiderman. We watch it all.the.time.
We’ve been through that here too.
I didn’t get rid of all of his trains though, I kept some favorites around and don’t you know he played with them for a bit this week? He’s almost 8!
annettek´s last [type] ..me vs the driveway
I will definitely be keeping some of Carson’s favorite trains! I don’t think I could bear to get rid of some of them.
How dare he! Seriously, this growing up crap is for someone else’s kids. MY BABIES aren’t supposed to be growing up. I think this is terribly rude and inconsiderate of them to do this to you and me.
I KNOW. HOW DARE THEM.
that was really beautifully written, Jennifer. I could feel every word.
Texan Mama´s last [type] ..Writers Workshop- Worst Date Ever
Thanks.
I completely can relate to this. So many “favorites” have been coming and going lately.
I have to say I’m quite thankful that Thomas hasn’t ever made it to our list of favorites. I’m definitely not a Thomas fan.
: )
Colleen´s last [type] ..Grace in Small Things – 108
Aah, the first of a long list of goodbyes before he leaves. Hang in there!
Headless Mom´s last [type] ..Day of Love
I just hope my kid gets out of the eating the dog food stage! http://woan.blogspot.com/2011/01/in-which-i-become-internet-sensation.html
abby´s last [type] ..Essays from my esses
*sniff* I remember when my kids used to eat dogfood and play in the water bowl!
Oh good, one day I will think it is cute….
abby´s last [type] ..Essays from my esses
I really dislike Dora. A lot. But my now 4 1/2 year old LOVED her. She has just in the past 2 weeks declared she doesn’t really like Dora anymore. That coupled with the fact I have to sign her up for kindergarten next month – sigh. Just rip my heart out and stomp on it.
Fortunately (?!) my 2 1/2 yr old currently loves Dora now. So there is no escape.
Michelle Smiles´s last [type] ..Favorite view
I remember having a very long, in depth discussion about what a terrible show Thomas was with a friend of mine when Carson was probably about 18 mos. I can’t believe that train wormed his way into my heart.
sigh, I remember those days. Thankfully we all still love a good Sponge Bob
Domestic Extraordinaire´s last [type] ..My Friend FireMom-Alternately titled How Jenna doesnt really want the Steelers to Win Super Bowl XLV
Ahh SpongeBob! He’s timeless!
Oh wow… that is definitely a heart breaking moment. I too lost my “baby” to Mario.. and all those darned video games. Best wishes to you and your “Young Man”.
I have been filled with the painful realization that my oldest is starting kindergarten in the fall and that soon he won’t be amused my Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and will probably be sneaking out of the house to drink cheap beer….hopefully losing interest in Mickey Mouse will be sooner than the beer, but it is all scary. The passing of each passion is a poignant reminder that eventually even our kids won’t consume us anymore, as scary and wonderful as that sounds. It makes me cry and it makes me filled with hope, but mostly cry. Hope your passing of Thomas means on to more amusing things for you…
The Mommy Therapy´s last [type] ..Public Service Announcement- I Was A Victim of Racial Profiling or I Might Have Just Broken A Law
Sometimes I want to throw all the Thomas stuff out the window. Buzz Lightyear and Mater from Cars too. I know it passes quickly though.
Issa´s last [type] ..Where I steal post ideas again
Ugh. I HATE when that happens. As much as the characters annoy me…I miss them and feel a little sadness when the kids grow out of them. *sigh*
Sarah´s last [type] ..…And I had the most beautiful hair…
Things that indicate the passage of time for my kids are startling to me, too. I know I’ll be sad when Thomas tanks at our house.
I’ll admit it, I (mostly) adore that blue engine. After reading your blog, my son came home from preschool, and I nearly cried when he broke out his Thomas Friends and started playing on his train table. Thank you for reminding me how fleeting this wonderful stage is- I sat down and played trains with him before dinner. Please, let us know how Spiderman and Mario work out. X has friends who like TRANSFORMERS, which I admit fills me with dread. Good luck!
You made me cry. Absolutely not allowed.
We found that at our library. I think I will order it soon, C is going on 4 and we are still deeeeep in Sodor! Should get our mony’s worth out of it if I order it soon.
oh wow!
you know, they don’t really talk about *these* milestones, do they?
i know i will be very upset when j doesn’t want her Flopsy anymore.
enjoy the next stage….
mpotter´s last [type] ..good enough
oh dear! I’m looking forward to & dreading those exact moments. I almost went all out getting our guy the train/train table/every train accessory ever made for the holiday. when we were at the store weeks later he just walked by it to the $35 easel & smiled. Sold. And relieved. they go through these stages so darn fast. moms need warning for the tiny heartbreak it causes us when they go up.
Oh girl, my oldest son was also OBSESSED with Thomas. But he’s almost 7 now and yeah, he’s much more into Iron Man and the like. We have a huge bin full of trains and even my younger son doesn’t really play with them anymore. It’s pretty sad. I’m still keeping them for my daughter though and my just build a track for her soon for old times sake and because girls can totally play with trains.
But in a year or two it may be time to sell them and then I will probably cry!
In other words, I feel ya! xo
Can’t help but having a connection with these little toys as we see them accompany and put a smile to our angels.
Getting teary-eyed over here. Our nearly 3yo son (our youngest) is obsessed with Thomas. He has a speech delay, and one of his first, most regular, signs was for “train,” and, now that he’s talking, “choo choo train” is never far from his lips. I sing him songs from Thomas, and we learn colors and numbers by the various trains — it scares me a little how much he knows. It’s hard to imagine a day when Thomas will be cast aside so cavalierly, but I’m sure it will come!
FreeRange Pamela´s last [type] ..An Unfounded Fear of Quinoa
Oh this brought tears to my eyes. It is like when my eldest decided that his passion for elephants would move to power rangers. I still try to persuade him to play with them, but superheroes are just so much cooler to a five year old.
Ah, indifference! One of my least favorite things about motherhood. What they loved today they may not or WILL not tomorrow. How am I to keep up? Keeps us on our toes.
RIP Thomas