Thomas and Friends

If you were ever a kid, know some kids, babysit kids, walk past kids on the street, then there is no doubt in my mind that you know who Thomas the Tank Engine is.  Both of my cousins who are now 21 and 17, my brother who is 17, and even now my little cousin age 4 loved/loves Thomas and Percy and Sir Topham Hatt.  They had the videos, the railroads, the trains, the backpacks and pretty much anything that was manufactured with that cheeky little engine's face on it.

The really incredible thing to think about is that Thomas first appeared in story books in 1946!  Reverend Wilbert Awdry originally created the tank engines as wooden toys for his son Christopher.  From there he wove elaborate stories at bed time staring the wooden toys.  Awdry's wife encouraged him to write the stories and thus The Railway Series was born.  It wasn't until 1976 that rights to the stories were secured for television and did not debut in Britain until September 1984!  What makes Thomas and his friends so endearing, so lasting, something every generation wants to keep watching?  If you figure it out, let me know!


Thomas' round face naturally lends itself wonderfully to cupcakes and what better way to beat out William's third birthday Sesame Street cupcakes?

We made simple chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting tinted in different colors.  Railroad tracks were fashioned out of fondant and the tanks were painted Nilla Wafers.

Not to brag or anything, but I'd say the cupcakes were a hit!

Happy 4th birthday William!

PS - Now taking suggestions for the big number 5 birthday for William in November...after all, how do you beat George, Sesame Street and Thomas?!

Posted in: Birthday, Chocolate, Kids, TV Characters