Thomas the Train and a weekend in Marengo

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OH goodness, where did the summer go? We capped out another wonderful summer with G&G donut and the charming Lakeside Resort in Marengo with a fun-filled weekend.

The day started out with obligatory swimming. Even at a chilly 74 degrees (total acclimatized to 90)


Two amazing glamor shots from the cutest guys I know.

I will subject myself to the same shameful glamor post.

All aboard!

ok, enough of that. To the Trains!


 Thomas the Train visiting the Illinois Rail Museum was the initial inspiration for the trip out to Marengo. Here's that very useful engine. Hard to determine if tv Thomas or life size Thomas is creepier. He was complete with moving mouth and blinking eyes.


 
 A taste of Thomas.

 The museum was rather nifty too. Brock enjoyed ouch-defying acts of balance.




 




 Inside Thomas! Whoa.
 
 Trolley time. We met our friends Rebecca and Dustin there with their very friendly 2.8 year old, Gabe. Gabe just wanted to hug and hold Brock's hand. Brock discovered his pocket, the little grump-a-dump. Gabe also took a shine to Matt which did not help make friends with Brock.

 Brock's favorite part of the train was the toilet. We spent a solid 20 minutes in there and he could have stayed longer.

 From the pic you can't tell this is Percy, Thomas's friend, but it is. He was a coal burning engine, and there was a fellow shoveling it in the burner all a-soot. Toot toot!

The next day, after a lovely campfire and snuggle in the bus house, we took advantage of a rare bit of time to go disc golfing. Brock is loving nature walks these days so we opted to take him instead of dissing him at nap time.

 A true forager, Brock spent much of his time pointing out various mushrooms. Here is only a sample of his many finds.







 So cool! Someone carved the fallen log into a squid!

After a nap, it was time for maybe the highlight of the trip, Santa's Village and AZOOsment Park. So weird, but quite fun.



 Ah yes. It looks like Brock went on this ride. He didn't. As soon as he realized he would be alone (with us about 2 feet away) he went all a-tizzy and bailed.












Quick break from ride-o-rama to feed the camels.
 
 All rides with parents are a success. Matt was excited to show this ride to Brock as he remembered greatly enjoying it as a youngen. One can control the up and downiness of the rocket with the silver pull bar, which Brock readily captained.


Brock said the Tilt-O-Whirl was his favorite.


 The "Zoo" part of AZOOsment was supplemented by the bonus feature of feeding the creatures. Brock befriended the Goats while I waited in the face painting line.




 
 For Brock, face painting has become a destination. This time he went all fox on us.






 

and... back too the goats.



Matt was dying to take Brock on his favorite ride the tea cups (aka, Snow Balls). Brock said it went too fast and showed us with hand gestures how slow he liked it. What a great weekend! 

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