I used to think that Gavin’s interest in Thomas the Tank Engine was just a passing phase.  I figured that he would soon get over Thomas and move on to other things.

Not so…

If anything, his interest in Thomas has only escalated (sorry HL - looks like it’s going to be a Thomas cake for his second birthday after all…)

For instance, I was carrying him around the shopping mall when suddenly he started wriggling to get out of my arms.  Surprised, I put him down, only to watch him run away from me.  I followed him only to discover that he had spotted this in the distance:

Another time, when I was carrying him, he started signing train.  I started scanning around wondering where he had seen Thomas.  Spotting a picture of Elmo, I thought he had made a mistake.  “Oh, there’s Elmo,” I said.  But he signed train again more insistently.  Later I discovered the balloon with a picture of Thomas on it.  Yes, my son has sharp eyes.

Yesterday, my SIL2 and I took Gavin for lunch after our swim and Gavin kept signing train.  He wanted his small Thomas and Friends figurines that had been given to him from his friend Jack and the wooden Thomas train that his godmother had given him.  Since I wasn’t expecting to go shopping, I didn’t bring my bag.  Needless to say, Gavin was terribly upset - which didn’t help because he was also very tired after the swim.

Last night, we went to Jusco at the Alpha Angle.  Hubby set him down on the ground only to have him tearing off towards the Thomas section where he sat and eyed the Thomas toys with a longing that nearly broke Daddy’s heart. 

Hubby and I were talking when hubby realised Gavin was saying something.  He had been looking at the individual trains and he was naming them.  He held the Henry train and said something that distinctly sounded like “Henry.”  Later he pointed to James and said “James.”  I didn’t even realise he had learned the names to Thomas’ friends.

Unfortunately, he still can’t say “Thomas” but he says “train” and signs “train” to indicate he wants to play with Thomas.

Quite frankly, I never thought Thomas was all that educational, but I suppose if it inspires Gavin to learn and if it entertains him and keeps him in his seat, then I suppose he really is “a very useful engine”.

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