I know it’s not quite Friday… but it’s close and I’m grateful. It’s been a long week. I know that my children are at the most precious ages {5, 4, & 2} but isn’t it so true that every age has it’s own set of challenges? This week those challenges have shined. The Rover no longer desires to wear clothes. Period. And he acts like the fact that I want him to wear clothes is torture. Once I get his clothes on him, he takes them off, I put them back on and then… we move on to shoes and no matter what pair we put on, he will want a different pair once that pair is securely on his feet. And his big sister Raiger has decided that she is a fashionista… changing clothes at least 4x before school. We try to pick out clothes the night before but it never fails by the next morning she changes her mind. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I want to cry. I try so hard to be patient but my children are really good at revealing a side of me that isn’t kind, loving, patient, or gentle. I’m thankful that I recognize it {if you can be thankful for seeing a side of yourself that you’d rather not see} and I caught myself this week sounding like a snappy, nagging mom that I have NO DESIRE to be. I have little doubt that the Lord is using my children for my sanctification. And hopefully me for theirs!
Today we cleaned up the playroom… which is usually in a complete state of disarray. The carpet is being cleaned in there tomorrow which actually forces me to deal with what I’ve ignored {a disaster} for a long time. Now, we just need to get rid of 1,930,237 toys and we’d be good to go! It’s coming… a toy giveaway… I may just drag them to the street with a big sign that says “FREE” and some innocent mom {much like myself} will snatch up the “great deal” and then go junk up their house with their “great find”.
The kids get it honest. Here’s what my car looked like Wednesday morning, and please don’t think my house looked much better.
Gross! The kids and I ran through the car wash and took FULL advantage of the FREE VACUUM that followed.
My car was almost spotless when I was done.
I also made a Walmart run this week… they had a roll-back on Smarties and don’t think I didn’t clean ’em out. I think I bought 15 lbs. 🙂
I also spotted these and thought of all my train connoisseur friends… I don’t think I had a single comment about the Walmart brand “Classic Wood” collection of trains? $9 for three engines? And there was a 72 piece set for $32. Anyone tried ’em? Like ’em? Hate ’em? They were actually pretty nice looking, very basic, which I like… I mean, I should buy my child what I like right? 🙂
In celebration of the weekend I will leave you with my new favorite salad dressing recipe, Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. I am not very calculated in the kitchen but this is about how I make it. If you need more sweetness add honey, if it’s not tangy enough add some more mustard! I will tell you that it is particularly good on a salad of: Romaine, thinly sliced red onions, praline pecans, and feta cheese.
In case you prefer to copy and paste the recipe:
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
1/2 C olive oil
1/4 C white wine vinegar
1 clove of garlic {pressed}
1 T dijon mustard
2 T honey
a dash of salt & pepper
Shake, let sit, shake, & serve.
{All measurements are estimates… add honey or mustard to your liking!}
Bye Rovers!!!
Christina
October 21, 2010 at 10:55 pmWe are in the same season over here. I had to smile with the whole changing clothes 4x a day and the no clothes..we have one of each. I’m not a fan when I get the snappys and the naggys. Always makes it easier to know that I am not alone in all of this motherhood stuff.
xx – Christina
Brittany
October 21, 2010 at 11:06 pmI’m loving the picture of the inside of your car~it could totally be mine. The man, Jack, at our $5 car wash (plus free vacuum) always smiles and laughs when I stop by. I’m there pretty often (though not often enough) as my car is in constant disarray! As for the trains, we have a mix & my son loves them all. We actually got a few at IKEA that were super cheap, wooden and he loves them. I buy trains as I find them & as they go on sale…and none of them match 🙂
lucy murchison
October 21, 2010 at 11:08 pmI’m with you. Every age has its challenges. 2 wasnt rough for us. 3 has been extremely hard. We have outfit changes way too many times each day. It drives me crazy. And sometimes it (and the other not so delightful 3 year old behaviors that we are experiencing) can make me act like the mom that I DO NOT want to be. I try my very hardest to keep that mean mom to a minimum, but tired mamas and willful 3 year olds butt heads every once in a while. I’m working on it.
Also, are you a member of totsy? It is like a gilt for toddler things. Anyway, they have a train table on there right now. It is by kid kraft and I *think* it is roughly $130??? I am a girl mom, so I don’t know whether 1) it is a good train table or 2) whether that is a good price for a train table.. but it did look cute and we do have a Kid Kraft kitchen that we love… so?!
Laura Beth
October 21, 2010 at 11:36 pmJust have to put in my two cents about the trains. I got the Melissa and Doug set for my then two year old boy. (now five – and my two year old daughter loves to play now!) He LOVED it and I loved that it came with trains, tons of track, a round house (whatever it’s called) and other fun objects for around $100. However, as he got older, somehow pop culture creeped in and he learned about Thomas (not from us). He received about 8 or 10 “Thomas” brand trains and LOVED them. They made nice addtions to our cheaper set. We have lots of consignment sales in our city and on multiple occasions I have seen people bag up huge gallon sized ziploc bags of Thomas trains and sold them for $20 or so. Amazing deal. You might look for things like that once the spring consignment sales gear up again in February or so. That’ my two cents. 🙂
Your blog is one of my absolute faves by the way. 🙂
Laura Zarrin
October 21, 2010 at 11:51 pmI had the same boy! It would take both my husband and I to wrangle him into his clothes. The worst incident was in Las Vegas at the end of December with 30 degree weather. We exhausted ourselves getting him dressed. When we got to the buffet we turned away from him for one minute only to find he had stripped down to his diaper and was dancing in the booth. Thankfully, he got over this phase pretty quickly. He’s nine now and is very modest.
Just remember that when you pray for patience, God gives you ways to practice (Morgan Freeman in Evan Almighty).
NatalieJeN
October 22, 2010 at 3:37 amI can relate to your daughter on this one. I do the same thing even though I’m a frown up.
rhonda
October 22, 2010 at 6:30 amOh yes dear! I have found myself being a snappy, cranky mom on more than one occasion….An idea on the clothes (it *is* a phase…) have her pick out *2* outfits at night- then she has a choice the next day. OR pick out a week’s worth of “appropriate” clothes (i.e. school clothes) on sunday- and then she can have choices through the week. Perhaps this will help.
And here is my only comment about the stuff at walmart (i.e. trains)…does rover put his trains in his mouth? If so, honestly- I would err on the side of caution. Much of the stuff that is inexpensive at walmart is made in China where they don’t have the same manufacturing standards that we do. (remember the toy recalls from a few years ago? even of mattel toys?)
These look like they are painted (and most toy trains are)….so buyer beware. IF he isn’t prone to putting them in his mouth and gnawing on them still, I think you would be fine. Unfortunately, its just something to think about with WHATEVER brand train you choose..(although the more expensive “brands” *in theory*- not always- should have more stricter controls).
With whatever trains you decide to go with- keep an eye on the finish and wear of the paint job. If it starts to flake or seems to be coming off, I would consider pulling it from the rotation to be safe.
Does that help any, or just muddy the water? I don’t want to worry you…just raise a flag of caution is all…
rhonda
October 22, 2010 at 6:33 amOh NatalieJeN — a “frownup!”….I know that was a mistype, but how I think that describes me as a grownup many, many days.
Can I steal that? 🙂
julia
October 22, 2010 at 6:48 amI like your fancy white wine vinegar 🙂
I had a big “if it isn’t nailed down, it’s going” moment late last week. We had our first driveway sale ever. And last. I’m going back to giving it all away. Oh, and the house doesn’t look much different.
Brittny Hemphill
October 22, 2010 at 7:52 amthank you thank you thank you for that recipe!!!!!!! honey mustard is my favorite dressing right now and my husband did not buy the lowfat version at the store and i just checked to see what the fat was…. 11g for 2 Tb.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hate to throw food away, but this helps explain why eating salad is not helping my waistline. and i did not know that walmart carried a wooden train set either! we started the thomas venture about 4 years ago and i think since then others have started making their own verson of Thomas. maybe they always have and now they are doing it better. either way, your child does not care! unless he is insane about Thomas, just buy that one, (AC Moore typically has 40-50% off or BOGO deals) and go with store brands after that. And finally (I’m turning into a post myself!), thanks for the “keeping it real” portion! My house and car looked like that earlier this week too. Thankfully my husband beat us home last night, felt bad that I had to pick up dinner with the kids so he picked up all the toys that had exploded all over the house that afternoon. Good luck with Rover too!!!
Brittny Hemphill
October 22, 2010 at 7:57 amone more thing, did you say you were looking for a train for the t-shirts in a previous post, or just actual trains.
Mary Elizabeth
October 22, 2010 at 8:18 amI just want to assure you that the clothes issue, or lack thereof, shall pass.
My eldest son (who turns 30 soon) spent way too much of his toddler years naked.
I was very concerned, and horrified.
He stopped stripping just after his third birthday. (3 days after)
I was more excited about this than his first steps.
He’s a lawyer now, getting married this December, and spends most of his time in a suit…and a tie.
Please don’t worry!
You’ll have plenty of time to worry later…when he drives…when he dates…when he gets his own apartment…
M.E.
Meghan
October 22, 2010 at 8:32 amMy son, Bryce, never wants to wear his clothes. He is 3 1/2 and I refuse to let him go without underwear. Usually, the first thing he does is tear his clothes off at the garage door. He will wear costumes but that leads to the constant wearing of costumes sometimes everywhere. Now, he has fallen in love with the Ninja Turtles and he tells me that turtles don’t wear pants. It’s sad because he’s right and I hate to mess with his creativity! Oh, the dilemmas of moms! I have laid the law down that when we have company pants must be on.
I have two boys who love those trains, too! We have an off brand of a bunch of them and then the name ones he liked. Thomas, Percy, and Diesel I think. The ‘real’ ones are great stocking stuffers and Easter basket things. They discount them around holidays I think. I think you can buy something to check the lead in paint. They are most likely ok but you never know.
Jennifer
October 22, 2010 at 8:37 amHey Darby! Yes! You should definitely get your little guy what you like! When we did the train thing a couple of Christmases ago, we went back and forth about what to get…Thomas, like everyone else or something that would grow with him. We needed up going with GeoTrax and Turner LOVES it! It moves which he thinks is wonderful! You can add to it just like Thomas but not as pricey. His little friends think it’s the coolest thing b/c it’s something they don’t see. I bet the girls would enjoy it too! 🙂
As for the clothes, or lack of them…good luck! We went through that a little too!
Patty
October 22, 2010 at 8:38 amA comment about the trains…. my son is obsessed with them, and has been for a year and a half now. I think the reason he loves them so much is because of the faces on the trains, and the different personalities each train has (which are portrayed in the books and movies), and their different names (he knows every train’s name). He is almost three now, and he makes up whole dialogues between the trains and uses them in the most imaginative ways. So yes, the Thomas trains are more expensive, but I think they have an advantage over the generic trains because of their faces/personalities/names. Just my two cents! Start with a couple Thomas trains along with a handful of generic trains, and see which ones your son gravitates towards. For the tracks – definitely go with the cheapest ones…they are all basically the same and work together.
elizabeth@kentuckymama
October 22, 2010 at 9:17 amI love your sense of humor: “i should buy what i like, right?” We are getting ready to make a playroom for my daughter, but before we paint and clean the carpet I have to get rid of a bunch of stuff. Right now the room is just for storage. It’s crazy how stuff piles up and we’ve lived there less than two years.
Allyson
October 22, 2010 at 9:20 amI struggle with my 3 year old on clothes everyday! We’d jointly agree the night before and the next day, she’d change her mind, which included an all out tantrum, causing us to be 30 mins late!!!! So being completely stressed and not liking that I was a mean mommy, I decided that on Monday I would pick out the outfit and on Tuesday, she picked it out, and alternating each day.(as I grin and grit my teeth on the days she picks out her clothes-I feel like I have to wear a button that says she picked out her own clothes that day although people already know 😉 So I implemented that this week and low and behold, we were tantrum free all week! I also threw in that if she cried and threw a fit, that I would throw away toys. So far so good AND I am not a mean mommy! Not sure if that is the remedy for Raiger or not, but it’s worked at our house. War Eagle!
jenna
October 22, 2010 at 9:23 amI love that you admit you and your kids are not perfect. that they act up and test your patience. I think its important to have ‘obstacles’ with our kids b/c they make us enjoy and cherish the happier moments to the fullest. It also opens your eyes to your own faults. Being a mom is the most messy, frustrating, fun, satisfying job in the world.
this dressing looks amazing! have a great weekend.
KellyB
October 22, 2010 at 9:34 amMy now 18 yr old was just like Rover. He loved to run naked everywhere in all seasons. Now at 18 he at least wears boxers but still strips as soon as he walks in the door!
HannahJ
October 22, 2010 at 9:50 amOh girl- I sooo feel you on the challenges of motherhood- it can be so rewarding- but such a test all in the same breath. I am currently on day 3 of potty training my little-man, and I am feeling the test today for sure! Hang in there- and keep up the good work- thanks for reminding me that there are many overwhelmed mamas out there!
Tara
October 22, 2010 at 10:16 amI’m yelling at the kids right before dropping them off at their Christian School. I am thankful I KNOW there’s a side of me I have to keep under control, I counter the “mean mommy” with extra love and laughs. But the dirty car I cannot. Mocha stains on the ceiling, School work piles and now the sweaters that get taken off in the warm afternoons. and those redbox movies get lost for days in there. so glad for the free vacuum.
Renee Smith
October 22, 2010 at 10:59 amMy car looks the same! I only have one child (the second is going to be making his debut any moment now (due Nov 16, but I’m in denial). The 22 month old is definitely in a patience-testing stage, and pregnancy hormones might as well be a bee in my pants. This week has been the seeing it and letting it go week for me, and I am so ready to have my normal hormones (is that an oxymoron?) back.
Hang in there, mama!
Lisa
October 22, 2010 at 12:06 pmI love your honesty in posting about your kids. Mine boys are 11 and 15, and while they do keep their clothes on 🙂 they certainly can try my patience. You wake up and plan to be patient and speak kindly and the next thing you know you are hollering like a banshee. Not how a Godly mother would behave. I think the fact that you recognize how precious your children are and want to do better is what makes you a great Mom. I once read something that said, the days are long but the years are short. Sadly this is so true. Chin up, you are not in this alone 🙂
carla
October 22, 2010 at 12:21 pmUggghh…the decluttering of “great finds”! I’ve been putting off cleaning our closets for long but am DETERMINED to at least get started this afternoon (as soon as I unload this morning’s Walmart stuff and get off the computer). My very least favorite thing to do…but we have to make room for more great finds, right??!
Lori
October 22, 2010 at 12:39 pmThank you for the salad recipe – I’m always looking out for a new dressing. Trains-my son has the imaganarium table which came with the plain trains, but I would same the same thing as a previous post – my son loves his thomas trains the best because they have a face, number, and name (that he hears about when we read the books). My son’s loves to check out the train dvd’s at the library and it is free – yea!
Melanie Marsh
October 22, 2010 at 1:06 pmYUM! That dressing looks so good- October has completely passed me by and I have not even cooked one thing. BTW… I am Melanie…I have been a faithful reader for a couple of years now and I rarely comment, but I just had to say…my two year old suddenly wants to wear his “sangals” (sandals)…That has been my battle lately. Of course he wants to wear his sandals now when it is 40 degrees out when we leave in the morning!
Katie
October 22, 2010 at 1:12 pmDarby, I must say that what I find most endearing about you is your honesty. True, you have a knack for creating beautiful things that I love to read about, including your babies! 😉 And it’s not that I want your house to be messy and junked up just so I feel better about my own shortcomings (and least, Lord help, I hope not).
Amy
October 22, 2010 at 1:31 pmThis is my first visit to your blog. Love it from the quote on motherhood to the pictures of your car! I have three kids under 5 and my van looks just like the “before” shots. I’m always horrified when someone helps one of the kids into the car and sees it. Thanks for the motivation to clean it! I look forward to more posts.
Mandy
October 22, 2010 at 2:11 pmDon’t know anything about the wal-mart trains but they are cute…let me know….I have an almost two year old little boy that will be into them soon, I know! My five year older does the SAME thing with the clothes….OH MY! I too, try to honor her little style and spirit but there are days when the laundry is piled high and her things are all over the room that SEND ME OVER THE EDGE! I too have been a cleanin’ today…the maid’s once a week visit has been pushed to twice a month and I am noticing it! But aren’t our kids precious? They are too sweet but yes, I get it! “Mama said there would be days like this, there would be days like this, my Mama said!” This is what I sing all over the house when I have to face these chores! My kids are getting movies (Veggie Tales,some Disney classics, Annie, Sound of Music and a camera for my oldest this Christmas!) That is it…no more junk! I am done of it! Off to enjoy the finally fall Charleston weather!!!! Have a good weekend!
Lynn Campbell
October 22, 2010 at 2:59 pmI saw the Honey Bee Farms truck in town yesterday and immediately thought of all your sweet faces and smiled. : ) My daughter asked me the other day if I had seen you guys rambling around Target lately. (snicker) Now I’ll have to tell her why I haven’t – you’ve been at Wal-Mart buying up the smarties! LOL! (Thanks for the sale tip!)
As a mom of 5 (the one you met in the car that day at Target is number 4 of those 5) I can sure sympathize with your post today. SIGH… those are the hardest days to get through when they are young but try to enjoy them. You will blink your eyes and be looking BACK with a wistful longing. My oldest is 29 and my youngest is 13. Three of the five are now grown and away from home. It happened in the blink of an eye.. or maybe three blinks. ; )
Happy weekend to you!
Hugs,
Lynn, your hometown neighbor
t.smith
October 22, 2010 at 3:51 pmI thought of you and all moms and dads with little boys the other day, when I bought a book at the Homegoods store where I live! It’s by Jon Scieszka and titled “Truckery Rhymes”! He reworks some of the traditional nursery rhymes using trucks and machines as the characters! Check it out on Amazon, it’s really cute! Good weekend to all!
Montye
October 22, 2010 at 4:02 pmRight there with you Darby… I think most of us are. My kids do the same thing and yes my car looks like yours most days. And I, too, lack patience and kindness with my children at times…we are all a work in progress.
The good news is, we will look back on the crazy days and laugh… and maybe at times cry because we miss them too.
Have a great weekend, thanks for sharing.
Montye
Megan
October 22, 2010 at 4:34 pmThat vinaigrette sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
amy
October 22, 2010 at 4:40 pmDarby-Love your blog!! Precious kiddos too!! I have two boys and bought all the Thomas the Train stuff. I would recommend looking for it on Craig’s List. We just sold all of ours this summer to a Grandmother and Granddad for a set up at their house. You can probably get the whole kit and kaboodle for about 100.00 (trains, table, and tracks). I would totally recommend getting some of the pieces that make noise or move with a battery. The kids love to make them move by themselves, but their is something fun and mezmorizing seeing the train move with a battery operated engine too. Thomas makes one that is still wooden, but the engine runs on a battery. We loved our so much that it found its way into the bath tub 🙁 Anyway, good luck!!! Also get a table that has drawers underneath it!!
Becky
October 22, 2010 at 5:50 pmI love the idea for the FREE toys on the curb, but I don’t think an actual MOM would pick them up. It would be a GRANDMA who picks them up and dumps them off at her daughter’s house, thinking she’s being soooo wonderful! And the kids, of course, would think Grandma is the best while the mom is trying not to scream! I can totally see my mom doing that to me so I’m so thankful neither of us live anywhere near you!
VickiT
October 22, 2010 at 6:17 pmI just know you are going to say naughty words under your breath at me but..at the risk of you not doing it outloud so those darling children will hear those words ……… I am going to say to you….. enjoy every single day of that frustration. LOL There are SO many times I wish mine were that small again, if only for just one day. 🙂 Mine are grown and as of the writing of this message, out of our house and while that can change with the next phone call we receive, we do miss them being under foot. I had three boys and then ‘new’ hubby brought a 4th boy to the mix. Fun times.
And yes, I know you are only kidding (kind of) in your post and wouldn’t trade these days for anything. 😉 Besides, isn’t that what wine was invented for? HA LOL
Speaking of wine (ok wine vinegar) – thank you very much for that yummy looking dressing recipe. I must wander to different grocery stores as I have never seen Pinot Grigio white wine vinegar. I bet that’s very good and awesome in the dressing.
Brittan
October 22, 2010 at 6:51 pmI had the same kind of week. I saw things in me that I do not want to see…Having 3, 5.5 a bit shy of 3 and 4 weeks has def stretched me! I should also say that I was chatting with a friend of mine, Jennie, also a blog faithful follower this week, we through around “Darby,” and you know, “my friend Darby”..We laughed! We really do feel like you are our “friend”! And you are!!
Walmart trains look nice, just buy one and go to your local Barnes and Noble or somewhere that has a thomas/melissa and doug table and see if they work, if so perfect!
Katie Canipe
October 22, 2010 at 7:22 pmThank the Lord… your vehicle shot is proof to my husband that I am not the only woman whose car looks like that! And yes, tonight in fact my four year old had a MAJOR melt down that not only could she not change out of her play clothes into a dress, but that she couldn’t wear a SKIRT WITH THE DRESS!!!! Lord help us all when it comes to their strong wills! I like Rover’s approach, why can’t we all go back to the Adam and Eve days! 😉
Telise
October 22, 2010 at 10:53 pmMy three year old son is somehow related to Rover…they are brothers from different mothers 🙂 My son is naked everytime I turn around! Today he had all of the cushions off of our couch to make a “fort” also known as a landing spot for jumping off the couch and as if I need to tell you, he was of course naked the whole time!!! Sometimes I just sigh loudly and wish God didn’t make tiny hineys so cute!
Kate
October 23, 2010 at 10:13 amIt always confuses me when you say smarties because I expect to see chocolate smarties and instead I see what we call rockets! I’m assuming you also have smarties there and just call both smarties?
I also have a messy house and I only have 1 child (and she’s only 9 months old… maybe the mess is actually me? 🙂 )
rachel ruelas
October 23, 2010 at 10:49 amhow do you write on your photos?
email:
racheleruelas@gmail.com
😀 love your blog.
r.
Kathleen
October 23, 2010 at 12:29 pmI have loved reading your blog and seeing how you live your life so passionately and joyfully! Your photography is wonderful and children are precious! Truthfully, though, I REALLY appreciated this blog update more than ever. Seeing that your playroom is a mess, that your car looks like mine (which drives me crazy!!! I clean and then within an hour it’s junked again) and that your patience is worn thin. I like the reminder that God is in the hardtimes of raising children. I have a four year old and two year old and while I like it all to look easy and pretty, the truth is……it’s the hardest thing I have ever done – to raise them. Thanks for showing the dirty side today!!! 🙂
Lindsey
October 23, 2010 at 1:10 pmIt’s nice to know I am not the only cranky mom. My 21 month old is wearing me thin lately. They say patience is a virtue. I need more or it!
Lori
October 23, 2010 at 2:08 pmHope this makes you laugh, but seriously, LOVE the yellow purse in your car photo. I know that this wasn’t your intention, but I am a yellow fanatic! Can you share where you got it? Love your blog and your cherishing of your family!
beck
October 23, 2010 at 3:20 pmThank you, Darby. Have had a similar week with only a 2 year old & one in utero. Appreciate your honesty!
katie mccrary
October 23, 2010 at 5:52 pmDarby, we love our t’s. Thanks so much. Great quality. See my post here:
https://www.katiemccraryphotography.com/2010/10/life-round-here.html
Stephanie
October 23, 2010 at 9:52 pmI love your blog posts! I can relate to most of them and find them very entertaining. I see your a twin and so am I. Identical too. My sister is a interior designer and I myself, a happy SAHM with lots going on in my job! 🙂
Chris
October 24, 2010 at 9:44 amWAR EAGLE!!!!
kristen
October 24, 2010 at 5:15 pmOh how I can relate to the changing of clothes! Owen is the same way! I feel your pain/joy/laughter/tears! Will definitely have to try the dressing. Looks yummy!
clare
October 25, 2010 at 7:43 amI just read an article about Kelly Rippa. Her daughter was doing the same thing, changing over and over before school. Kelly now lets her pick two outfits the night before and then pad-locks, yes pad-locks, the closet shut so she can’t pick anything else!!!! I don’t know if I could do that but…maybe!!! Morning chaos drives me crazy! Love your blog!
Christie
October 26, 2010 at 2:22 pmBoth of my girls have gone through stages where they would change their clothes several times a day. In fact, my younger daughter, Sanders, probably will never grow out of that stage! The kids wear uniforms to school, and as soon as they get home, they are out of those uniforms and into something “cute!” And my son is just like JM — he would be just as happy without clothes — that way he could get his hands “in his pants” easier! 🙂
JWK
October 26, 2010 at 8:20 pmThanks for the heads up on the WALMART trains! We snagged them yesterday and I have 1 happy camper on my hands. You’d think I had a boy with all the dinosaurs and trains around the house!!