"I've been workin' on the railroad"

As one of Soren's favorite songs goes, he's "been workin' on the railroad." His toy railroad, that is. Working hard at his new toolbench, which is right next to Daddy's toolbench in our shop. (Thanks to the Behrenfelds for handing down this nifty piece of furniture, and to Papaw Bill for donating the vise!)

In the past month, Soren and Jeff have collaborated on building an engine shed (above) and a bridge (below) for the Take-Along Thomas railway.

Safety first! Soren dons eye and ear protection for some jigsawing on a piece of trim for the engine shed.

Look ma, no hands! No help from Daddy's hands, that is, but just for an instant, so Mom could take this adorable photo. Soren IS allowed to lock a piece of wood in his vise and file grooves in it on his own, which is highly self-entertaining.

Here's the bridge, mostly constructed by Jeff, and detailed to look like stone with his new dremel. He carved the ends so it interlocks with the plastic track. In the background you see Cranky Crane at left and the Engine Works with washdown station at right (a Christmas gift from Grandma Gloria & Grandpa Jim). We're building quite the collection.

This entry on railroads at The Roost would not be complete without mention of Soren's new train table. Jeff built this to house his childhood electric train, which needs the track tacked down in order to run properly. He'd gotten the train set out once around Christmas to show Soren and our train-crazy son never forgot about it. After much pestering, Jeff came up with a design for a table that fits over an existing climbing platform he built Soren. It is on permanent display in our basement romper room.

The electric train is temperamental, so often Soren just pushes the train cars along with his hands -- or just takes his horse for a gallop alongside the tracks! Not a day goes by without some form of train play at this house.

Potty Training P.S.: We've now had one month of total success in Soren using the potty and keeping his pants "clean and dry." Four times in that month he's woken up from a nap with wet pants, but NO other accidents. We're thrilled he's adapted to this new reality so completely. Diapers seem like the distant past...