The other day my little boy said something that made my feel a little sad.

He said – and these were his exact words: “I don’t like Thomas anymore”.

He was of course referring to Thomas the Tank Engine, or Thomas and Friends as the various trains and other modes of transport are collectively known.

Despite this he still sits and watches the Thomas programmes on DVD with his little cousin. Admittedly, his younger cousin (by about 19 months) is still unashamedly a full-on Thomas fan.

I have mentioned before that I quite like the original series. The ones where they used models rather than computer generated graphics. The ones narrated by Ringo Starr and then later by Michael Angelis.

Kids grow up. It’s an unavoidable reality. While he still plays with his Duplo he now favours the real Lego. Especially the sets with Star Wars characters and superheroes. It’s all part of the process of growing up. And it is sad that it all happens so quickly.

It’s all Kylo Ren now.

When he says that he doesn’t like Thomas he qualifies it by adding “I like Kylo Ren”.

The Darth Vader for the younger generations. My four-year-old son has seen the latest Star Wars movie and I have not. He is now ahead of me on recent developments in that galaxy far, far away. At least he appreciates that Mr. Ren is Mr. Vader’s grandson.

Sorry son. I realise there is a Star Wars generation gap thing going on here but when it comes down to the inter-galactic scale of evilness Vader beats Ren any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

We may agree on that one day but for now our conversations – or should I say debates – on the subject are great fun.

On the plus side…

While it may be a little sad that they grow up so fast I have to look at the positives also.

He is on the verge of swapping some small kids stuff for things that he will probably still like when he is an adult. I certainly like the Star Wars films and the Marvel superheroes. And of course, I still love Lego. As do most adults – if they are honest.

Who would win a fight between…?

It’s that fantastic question that can be used over and over. Thanks to the myriad of Marvel comic films it is a question that we now throw at each other regularly.

Who would win a fight between Captain America and Hulk? Who would win a fight between Ironman (in the Hulk-Buster suit, naturally) and Hulk? Who would win a fight between Ironman and the Green Goblin? And so on… These conversations are great fun and Dani really gets into it.

I know they are only comic book characters but I think it’s great that he is so passionate about them.

And guess who gets thrown into the mix? That’s right.

“Daddy. Who would win a fight between you and Ironman?”

“Well, me obviously. It would be difficult for a while. I might have to take a bit of punishment at first. But then once his batteries start to wear down I would get the upper hand.”

He just laughs.