Putting the "train" in potty training

(An apology to my gentle readers who do not have children and have no desire to read about the potty training exploits of my wonderful son. As banal and unsavory this subject might be to the the average mortal, when you are the parent of a VERY big three year old boy, this topic becomes VERY important! So, without further ado and satisfied that I have warned you about the sensitivity of the subject matter.....)

OK - I think I see progress on the horizon. We are now trying the "no pants" approach to potty training and it seems to be working (with the exception of the "Train Table Fiasco" I noted in the last entry...) and every day gets better. Since he has been doing great for two days running around naked at home, today we are actually trying training pants. While I was shopping at the educational/teacher's store on Tuesday, I found a potty training chart and started to remember a great suggestion from Heather. Along with the chart, when Danny stayed dry all day (or all morning/evening, whatever I choose), he would get a small present. I have a huge bag of McDonald's toys that I've collected when I got toys too old for the babies and I thought they would be perfect. Danny loved the idea and although he wasn't completely thrilled when he reached in and pulled out a flexible flying bat stuffed animal the first day, he was still thrilled to be getting presents. So - onto stage two. Presents for poops. He has been so attached to keeping those in his pants that I knew I needed something special. So I had a few Thomas train/video sets I was saving for Christmas, but I figured - what the heck? So I told him that each time he went poop in the potty, he would get a Thomas toy. Two hours later - he sneaks off behind my back while I'm working and does a very good poop in the potty and runs up to me asking for his Thomas toy - YEA! One less poopy diaper to change is SO worth it! So - so far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed! Anyone have an idea who is the patron saint of potty training? I'd like to say a few prayers...