We've been going back and forth about moving. I fear change. Fear it. But I also love house-hunting. A few weeks ago, we looked at a beautiful new house in a great neighborhood (no, we didn't buy it, although we probably should have - it was a steal of a deal foreclosure and sold before we blinked.)
While we were checking it out, Aidan started chanting, "Whoo whoo! Whoo whoo!" Sure enough, we heard a train rumbling by. How in love would Aidan have been with that house?? We remembered the nearby train station and took our train enthusiast to see some steel.
Since that day, we've gone back for train-watching about 3 times. We keep missing the freight trains, but the passenger trains are just the ticket. And it's free. And gated (unlike our walk of danger during our maternity shoot!) And for some reason, he realizes that when they leave, we have to leave too. YES.
Yesterday evening, we got a two-for-one... one heading south to Portland and one north to Vancouver. I let Aidan explore the mostly empty parking lot and followed him around like the paparazzi. At one point, some train lady (I'm sure that's her official name) came out and tried to give Aidan a "Junior Conductor" hat. Kinda like a Burger King hat. He wanted nothing to do with it. Thanks anyway, train lady.
a rain dance? a train dance? a toddler spazzing out dance? do I see jazz hands?
Aidan signing "train" (his version anyway... rubs index finger on arm back and forth)
think Aidan would LOVE to live there. Um, no thanks.
Watch out... there are drunk bums lurking at the station.
they're finally here!!! Whoo whoo!
Can't wait for some more free train-watching next week! What free things do you do with your kids, other than parks? Boat-watching in the harbor? Done that. Running up and down the aisles at Costco? Uh-huh. Climbing up and down the stairs at the community center? Fun times. And free!
11 comments:
That house was gorgeous!!!!
How cool though that you have found a train for free - and a spot to get some awesome pictures in the process!
What are the odds? I know exactly where that foreclosed house is, who built, and who designed it! Yes, it's beautiful!
And you were just a couple minutes from our rental, which definitely gets the train experience, LOL. How fun for Aidan!
That house looks huge!! I wish we could go house hunting. But I am holding out hope that my BIL will go through with moving out in Dec and we can claim our basement again!
As far as free stuff goes, we usually do parks or the library. Our library has some really cool things on their schedule!
That house is amazing! I would love to live somewhere like that with all that land, too! Gorgeous. But I can't blame you for not wanting to live with your life underscored by the sound of passing trains. No thanks.
I love the train station pics. What a great idea for your little train-lover.
GREAT PICS!! I thought I had a little train enthusiast on my hands, but wow, nothing compares to Aidan I suppose. We did buy my little A3 a Thomas the Train toothbrush and he held on to the package for WEEKS as if it was his most prized possession. As far as free stuff goes it is pretty much limited to the park and library. Oh and the beach if I can ever convince my husband to make the trek there.
Love all the pics -- and your black and whites! The ones of Aidan dancing are the best - ha!
What a cutie! We take our kids to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. They love it!
WOW! Dream home or what?? Too bad you didn't snatch it up!
Yay for free train watching! :) Kingston is into tractors, so we go to Lowes quite often so he can "ride" the ride-on lawn mowers. :) Free, and fun!
Another free and fun thing for the kids is the library. They love to do there and look at tons of books with Mama. :)
These pictures are great!! What a fun place to be able to explore for free!! Love it!!!
Hilarious photos of Aidan's 'train dance" and there were definitely jazz hands going on! Train watching is a great idea! We've never done it although we live so close:) I think we'll go on one of the bridges that cross over so you can stand and watch the trains go under you:) I even like watching the plains take off @ Boeing. It's such a treat to be driving and have a plane landing right on you! I pull off to the side of the road and watch:)
Fun! After 4 pm, the Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Air & Space Museum (about 5 minutes from our house) is free to park and open until 5:30 (Winter) and 6:30 (Summer) and there is no entry fee. Wonderful place to let toddlers run around in and there are a bazillion chairs which I believe Keira may have sat in every single one. If there isn't a line to the tower, you can go up to watch planes land at Dulles.
If going into DC: all the Smithsonian museums are free, there is always the National Mall to walk around on, and the National Zoo is free to enter. Gotta love the DC area for all the free entertainment!
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