I have some news. It's about EB. He needs as 12-step program, I think. He is obsessed with GeoTrax. He spends his entire day either playing with, taking apart and rebuilding tracks, talking about GeoTrax, playing games on the GeoTrax website or checking off lists of the pieces he has and acquisitions he would like to make (read: his mum purchase for him).
I've mentioned to a few people about this obsession and they laughed it off. Then, they were actually with EB for a few minutes and they they understood.
I admit, I have enabled him and his addiction. He desperate wanted a train called WooHoo so that he could act out the scenes from the GeoTrax movies (yes, there are movies and he knows every word. No, seriously, every word!!!) and it is retired. So, I hit eBay and found it for him and got it sent to him (for a bargain price I'd like to add). While on eBay I found a huge lot of GeoTrax with over 115 pieces that was going for dirt cheap - easily valued at over $400 - I pay a mere fraction of that amount). I couldn't resist (pathetic, aren't I?!) and snatched it up. I love scooping in on the last minute bidding on eBay and bidding with 3 seconds to go. I usually do my own version of a touchdown dance.
EB was so patient (well, sorta) while waiting for the very large package to arrive. When it came, I wouldn't let him touch it until I had disinfected it. (anyone who knows me, knows that I have serious issues with cleanliness and germs - HUGE issues - yes, I am nuts) EB helped me lay out each piece and spray them down with Lysol then rinse them off, then dry them off. There was a lot of intricate pieces, it took a couple of hours. Not once, did he misbehave or play with anything that he was told not to. He was just excited to look at them and beam proudly!
EB (and the boys) then set about building a track setup that took up almost half of the family room. Then EB played happily and contented, chattered about his GeoTrax during dinner, when saying his prayers thanked Heavenly Father for his wonderful GeoTrax collection and informed me the next day that he dreamed about his GeoTrax and it was "an awesome dream".
At least once a week I require the GeoTrax setup to be dismantled so that I no longer have to vacuum around it, but can make sure that a thorough vacuuming job takes place. EB was so pleased with how his most recent setup was working and asked if we could take pictures of it, so that he could put it back together again the same way (I tell you, this kid is one smart munchkin to think of using the camera so that he could map it out).
He amazes me with how he puts it all together and only asks for help with the last couple of pieces. All of the kids enjoy the GeoTrax and play willingly (and okay, sometimes cajoled) with him and the Trax.
GeoTrax, who is made by Fisher Price, must have heard about the EBster and his unconditional love for their product, because they just came out with a new train called Eco-D and his driver is called Ethan. It was meant to be. I had to get it for him. I think I actually saw tears in his eyes when I gave it to him.
I keep waiting for the obsession to wane, but I see no lack of enthusiasm in sight. In fact, I think it's growing. Even though it keeps him busy for hours at a time, only to shoo me away if I request that he stop and eat lunch or have a snack, I'm starting to worry. Is this normal? Is there a program for train obsessions (remind me to ask Mort McBain about that - I think he has a similar problem with a train obsession).
EB is supposed to give a little talk in Primary in a couple of weeks and I'm thinking it might start like this....
"Hello, my name is Ethan and I am a GeoTrax-aholic!"
