{pretty, happy, funny, real}: riding the rails edition

 We had such a fun time on our Thanksgiving weekend train ride.  It was one of those rare times when a small amount of spontaneity, judiciously applied, worked out for us.

Of course, when I put it like that it doesn't sound very spontaneous at all.  But if you've ever tried your hand at mobilizing a herd of children, then you know what I mean.

{pretty, real}

My bookend girls.  When people ask me the fabled large family question - "but how do you DO it?!" -
I tell them my secret.  Ready?  They are not all six months old.  A set of teenage (or nearly teenage) hands can really come in handy.  And they can do so much more than what is generally expected of them in today's world.

{real, funny}

The swaying of the train car hypnotized Baby.  "You are getting veeerrry sleeeepy . . ."

{happy}

What we didn't realize, until just before we boarded, was that this was the Santa Train!  Bun was pretty excited when Santa came into our car.

Fiver looking pretty hypnotized as well.

{pretty, happy}

Sally was a little nervous as the train started, but she perked up when the candy canes came out.

{real}

This is how you know Mopsy is missing nap time:  her favorite fingers go in her mouth and she starts twirling her hair.

{pretty, real}

Sometimes I can't believe how grown Francie looks.  When I see a snapshot like this, or when I look over my shoulder in the kitchen and realize I am looking at her face at eye level, not down near the floor, it practically slaps me in the face.  When did my baby reach 5'3" and start wearing shoes one size smaller than mine?

Now head over  to LMLD and join in the {p,h,f,r} fun!