"Head...Shoulders...Knees and...SOCKS!"

As most of you know we've been awash in toy recalls this summer due to lead paint.  This hit our home particularly hard, as our kid is WAY in to Thomas the Tank Engine.

Earlier this year, for weeks, he was asking us to get him James the Shiny Red Engine (Shiny!).  Weeks and weeks of pretend play with his pretend James and asking us to get him a real one.  So finally, upon return from a business trip this spring, I brought him home a James.  He was beyond thrilled.  And then sure enough just a few weeks later, they announced the big recall - and James was at the top of the list. 

We gathered all of Av's trains on the recall list (there were 6 pieces total) and explained to him why were taking them away - including his new James.  They were going back to the toy factory to get a new coat of shiny red paint.  He was disappointed, but OK with this.  He patiently waited all summer for his trains to return - and when they did?  He was like a kid on Chanukah evening!  Each piece was individually wrapped - so he had six small packages to unwrap!  Squealing with delight at each one.  Then the bonus - the company was kind enough to send us a bonus gift train for all of our troubles.  Who did we get?  Some train named Toad.  Never heard of him before.  He faces backwards and has a movable brake lever - the kid was thrilled.

So last night I'm watching the news and see that there is another Thomas recall.  Oy vey.  This morning I get around to looking up who is on the list this time and see that it's mostly accessory pieces, that we lost years ago.  And the one train on the list?  Toad.  Of course.  The nice free train that the company sent us.  So back in the mail Toad goes.  To get a replacement Toad.  And another "special vehicle gift."  Ironic ain't it?  Hopefully that one won't be recalled either...