I wanted to get him a pair of navy blue or maybe tan/brown sneakers. Ones that would go well with a majority of his clothes. I’m not a fan of the crazy colored shoes or the ones with cartoon characters.
None of what I like or want mattered after seeing Nate’s reaction to these –
Special Shoes
He was so excited – smiling ear to ear, saying “Thomas Train!” over and over again. We bought them and he carried the bag out of the store like a big boy. Carrying them didn’t last long though. Why do that when he could wear them and continue to point out his “Thomas Trains” as we walked from store to store? It actually became a pretty awesome mood changer too. When he would start to get fussy Andrew would ask, “Nate, where’s Thomas?” That’s all it took. Immediate happiness. I’m not sure how long it will last but I will certainly use the power of the shoe for as long as I can!
He even wants to wear them over his footy pajamas while he sleeps! No, we didn’t let him curl up next to his dirty trains. No, instead, we let him sleep with a hard plastic pull-toy Thomas Train that plays music. When Andrew went to check on him before we went to sleep last night, he was hugging it. His precious blankey (or “kay-kay” as he calls it) was way at the bottom of the crib. We couldn’t believe it!
Are You Zhazha? 
Tom train! So cute. I don't get the appeal of that show, but almost every little guy Nate's age loves it! Isn't there a Thomas the Train town near Atlanta?
I'll have to find out about the town! Nate actually doesn't even like the show! I've tried to get him to watch it a few times but he loses interest really fast. Almost everything else will put him in a trance! (Curious George, Super Why, Go Diego Go, Max and Ruby, Sponge Bob Squarepants, Shrek, heck, even the Disney Princess movies!)
I emailed you a little info on the town. It is supposed to have lifesized trains for the kids. Sounds like fun!