Captain Jelly Belly adores Thomas the Tank Engine (a steam engine and his set of friends). He has a few Thomas books and they are his favourites — we read them every day. The last time we were at the toy store I picked up a little flyer that showed all the available trains, tracks, and accessories. Now this catalogue is the Captain’s favourite “book” and he asks for it to be “read” to him every naptime and at bedtime.

I just finished reading it for like, the twentieth time. Highlights include phrases like, “And here’s Percy covered in chocolate, and covered in coal dust, and covered in soap suds, and you can buy them as a three-piece set” and “Here’s the regular Engine Shed, and here is the deluxe Engine Shed with sounds and launching action” and “If you buy this track set and this track set, you can make this bigger set as shown in this picture.”

I think the world of marketing has invaded our house!