Still Loves Trains at 4.5 | A Giveaway

Sometimes it seems like Truman is practically an adult, now that he is in school every day and just *looks* so grown up to me. But there are still so many sweet, obviously child-like qualities in my boy that remind me that he is ONLY four-and-a-half, not quite fourteen yet.

Sure, he is obsessed with Angry Birds and this super weird TV show on Netflix called 'Ninjago' which is some sort of Lego/fighting show. Those are sort of 'big boy' things to me. But my Truman still loves trains and tracks and creating imaginary stories with his trains, losing himself in that little engineer world for longer than any other toys will allow. He's not a toddler anymore and is definitely a preschooler, but those trains that were his OBSESSION at age two are not going anywhere any time soon.

So when I was offered the opportunity to review a Chuggington set and DVD, I happily agreed knowing Truman would be overjoyed. And then I pushed to do a giveaway for you readers, too, since I like doing reviews that also offer you guys something. Christmas is scary close and I'm guessing there are plenty of moms with train loving kids who need ONE more track to take over their house, right? Enter Chuggington StackTrack Brewster's Big Build Adventure Playset and "Chuggineers Ready to Build" DVD.





When the package arrived, Truman asked like he always does if it was for him. When I was actually able to say 'yes' this time, you would have thought the kid just won the lottery. Packages are like a little slice of heaven for him. And when he opened it up? Pure joy. 'This is for me? And I don't have to give it back? Ever?' He didn't hear me when I said I got this from the blog and kept telling people that one of his grandmas bought it for him. I guess that would make more sense, and you try explaining the concept of a blog (and giveaways) to a preschooler! ;)


His very first train set was actually one of Chuggington's, and then he has an absurd amount of Thomas tracks and trains from my amazing Craigslist find (used successfully as potty training bribery---I'll always have Cranky the Crane to thank for ending Truman's days in diapers). He and my mom set up the playset together when she was visiting, I held Porter and took pictures, and then Mom took Porter back and I kept taking pictures;) It seemed very easy to assemble and Truman is seriously obsessed with this set. As soon as I saw the crane with big hook I knew he would be a goner. Plus there is a collapsable bridge and a big crank that lifts the trains up an incline. Basically the more moving parts to a train track the better for Truman. He's a big fan.




So is Porter. He can't get to get this as another hand-me-down someday;)


Truman also studies and discusses the small pamphlet that came inside of the box, that shows all of the Chuggington trains. I have no idea why he loves things like this----pictures of other toys, with labels and bright colors seem to be his jam. I've seen the two trains touring our entire house and the track itself has stayed in the family room since we got it, meaning I haven't banished it to the playroom or basement yet. He really does play with it every day and we haven't even switched up the track arrangement yet.

Then there is the DVD, which goes along with the track perfectly. He requests to watch an episode (of the five total) most days, and he likes to play with the playset at the same time. Note the pamphlet laying next to him, too.


There is a video for the playset here, and it can be found at ToysRUs and Target. The DVD is on Amazon and I think both the playset and the DVD would be awesome gifts for any train-lover out there.

And now for the giveaway. I have one of the Chuggington StackTrack playsets to along with the 'Ready to Build' DVD, both going to one lucky winner of this Rafflecopter drawing. I am specifically supposed to tell you that they cannot guarantee a holiday delivery for your prize---so Santa might be a little tardy with this one, I suppose. But if you would like to enter for the track and DVD combo, enter below. Otherwise add these to your Christmas lists for your train kid!

a Rafflecopter giveaway