On the Polar Express!

My mom surprised the kids with tickets on the Polar Express for Christmas. Yes, of course it was the 'REAL' Polar Express.... minus the snow, and the middle of the night, dancing/singing waiters, a fast moving train, miniature elves, and Tom Hanks! But, otherwise, it was the genuine Polar Express.



Shawn and Reagan boarding the train.



We had greatest seats in the train..... I might go as far as to say 'the best'! Right on top, in the dome car, and at the very end of the train.It felt like we had the train to ourselves.  

The kids were shocked to be on the Polar Express. We watched the movie the day before, so it was fresh on their minds. They glowed the entire ride!

Just look at that face!!!

 

Here are the boys sporting their pajamas I made them for the special day.

The train started moving and we were shaking all over the place. Are all trains shaky? At times I felt like I was being lulled to sleep, other times I felt like vomiting. But, the kids never complained that the train was swaying back and forth, or that it was only going 5 miles an hour... they were still thrilled.


They played music from the movie over the speakers while the waiters handed out hot cocoa. Or, if you want me to give a true account, I should say they handed out "luke-warm dirty water."But, each of us did get a pretty awesome Polar Express mug.

Then, the conductor came through the cabin and punched our tickets. He even made them look like letters... at least he tried. The boys thought it was great, and held on to their tickets the whole ride. Jefferson was convinced that if he lost his ticket he would be able to drive the train because "that's what happened in the movie." 

 



Shawn was scared to death when the bum ran up the stairs behind him, yelling! He stopped long enough to snap a picture.

Along the ride the whole train sang songs. We visited and laughed and waited with anticipation to arrive at the North Pole.



Looking out the windows.

We had to stop for a huge herd of Elk to get out of our way. Then, finally we made it to the North Pole. Santa was standing outside his workshop waving to us. The North Pole looked familiar to me.... that's when my mom pointed out it's strong resemblance to the Auschwitz concentration camp. It was so barren, and rundown looking. It flickered with a few strands of Christmas lights. I ENTHUSIASTICALLY told the kids that it was Santa's workshop and hundreds of elves were inside making toys for them. They believed it!  

Next came the best part of the trip. Santa surprised us by actually boarding the train. He talked to each of the kids and gave them all a silver bell. If only I could have captured Grant's reaction... he almost cried! Here's Jefferson giving 'ol Santa a high-five.

On the ride home, we were able to stand in the caboose and look out the window. I'm not sure, but this may have been more exciting to the boys than seeing the North Pole.

All of us!

What a trip! It was fun, really. Just being together was the best part. I may only give it 2 stars, but seeing that much joy on my kids faces was totally worth it. They believed every second of the ride. They LOVED the rocking cabin, the horrible hot-cocoa, the bad acting, the ugly North Pole, and the lame scenery.

It makes me step back and think about my perspective, on not just the Polar Express, but life in general. I hope to be more child-like someday.