The train table

Back when I was addicted to craigslist, one of the items I'd keep an eye out on was a train table and wooden train set. We've been wanting to get Tobey one just never got around to it.

On a tip from Jessica the supershopper, we got the one from Costco this season. It's medium wood color (like a honey color, matches our wood floors) and the drawers have cute brackets and black label. And Tom put it together this afternoon while the rest of us were napping.

I missed the moment when Tom revealed it to Tobey but I could imagine Tobey's reaction. Tom said he saw the table and when he saw the tracks he was happy but asked, "Where'd choo-choo go?" And then when Tom pulled out the trains, Tobey had "happy feet" and was as excited as Tom has ever seen him. I would have gladly missed a nap to see Tobey so happy...except that I think my imagination is good enough so I'm glad I was napping.

It felt good to lavish Tobey with a gift we know he'll love and we feel like he deserves for being an all-around good kid. For as much as I withold from him to teach him discipline, delayed gratification, etc., I was glad for Tom's enthusiasm and his work to specially pick up the table at Costco and put it together for Tobey (and eventually Eli). I think air on not spoiling the kids sometimes to a fault (and I'm not saying Tom spoils them at all), but I think Tom is good at generously giving something that is good for them. For that I'm glad that there is balance so that our kids will know that they are worth getting good things for.