Big Day!

Nate was so excited about today! Since last night, he had been talking about playing soccer, seeing Granna and Pop, and the train show. This morning I asked him if he wanted to go to soccer, and he said, "No. Train show." :) But he went with me anyway, and my parents met us there.

Nate got to try out his new walker at soccer today. He's still pretty wobbly because of the swivel wheels, but he'll get used to it.

Today happened to be "balloon day" at soccer--they have the kids try to keep a balloon up in the air as long as possible without their hands. Well, as many of you know, Nate should not be around latex balloons because people with spina bifida are more prone to a latex allergy. So I pulled Nate off the field for that portion of the class, and thanks to Granna and Pop being there to play with, he didn't get upset about it at all. We were able to go back on the field just in time for the obstacle course!

After lunch and a nap, Nate got a wardrobe change to his train shirt, and we headed downtown to the convention center. Of course, Nate was in HEAVEN at the train show. There were big model trains and small ones, really elaborate set ups and some simple. It was so funny--most of the time there, he was so serious and interested, he barely smiled. He acted like this was his job! :) But his favorite trains were this guy's fairly large trains all set up right on the floor so kids could gather around and get really close. I think he could have sat there all day and been happy.

He got a new engine for his train table--Percy, who he played with for the rest of the day. And he also got his picture taken sitting on Thomas! The photographer also gave each kid a conductor hat, bandana, and wooden train whistle (all for the ridiculous price of $20!!!!). Nate was intensely interested in all of this, but did not feel the need to smile, no matter how much the whole family made fools out of ourselves. But I love the picture anyway, because he looks just like his daddy! There's a picture of Blake as a child with this exact same face! There is no doubt this is Blake's mini-me.

(This is a picture of a picture.)

With our ticket today, we got a handstamp, and we're thinking about going back tomorrow after church. :) I personally had my fill of the train show, but I think Nate could go there every day.