Transportation

We've finally gotten out to the Virginia Museum of Transportation, as a number of people have be recommending that we do for a couple of years now.  It did not disappoint!

The general favorite was probably the enormous Lionel Model Train Layout. It was so classic, with dozens of little scenes, shops, people, animals. There was even a Mill Mountain Star!

Oh, also, there were several trains which, if you ask Miles, he will tell you excitedly "Go all by demselves! Around and Around!"

Adele is also a huge fan of vehicles of every sort. She's just started saying train and making whistle sounds.

Adele hugely enjoyed the hot wheels, both the displays and the play table.

Can't stop taking pictures with my Tiny.

Brought the Ergo. It didn't really get used, though. Meet Toddler Adele.

Loads of those displays to put your face up close to and disappear.

Dewey, Cheetum & Howe! I thought this was in Cambridge, Mass!

I'm always trying to decide what it is about tiny town displays that I find so tranquil and attractive.

I think it might be memories of Mr. Rogers. I can almost hear jazz piano...

A large showroom contained a number of antique cars. They were neat. I'm.... not the person for commentary about cars, though. Sorry!

Jon said his West Coast family has one of these Model Ts.

The Bug was my favorite on the lot; it's about the only car I get a bit excited about. From 1970.

Look, a car!

"I was told to stand here."

Miles is on the phone, in front of something he doesn't recognize as a phone.

Dressup experiences were provided in one room....

Why we have no pictures of the trainyard, I do not know. There were scores of trains of every sort. The kids and Jon were delighted. I was happy that they were happy. I think my favorite part of the trainyard was the platform, however. There's just something aesthetically romantic about them; one feels as if one ought to be involved in a dramatic farewell or reunion of some sort.

We spent considerable time outside, considering the February-ness of the day. They had a brilliant little playground:

Both kids got a kick out of sitting in the helicopter, for rather a long time. This might be the longest Adele was still!

Miles' social skills are coming along. He's discovered that people are often willing to talk to him if he walks up and smiles and says, "Hi, I'm Miles. My sister is Adele. What is your name?" He did this probably half a dozen times today. One woman responded, "I'm Ashely." And he shocked me by saying, of his own accord, "Hi Ashley. It's nice to meet you." He made friends in this way with a couple of little boys on the playground and they had a good old time, especially when this real live train went by...

We have got to go back there!