Polar Express to the North Pole

Sunday we rode on the Polar Express to the "North Pole" and saw Santa. It was a magical day!!

The Polar Express is a very special event, based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. In our area, it runs for just one weekend. It's difficult to get tickets. We've never had luck with the lottery system for purchasing tickets, and are so fortunate a colleague of mine volunteers at Polar Express. Volunteers are entitled to purchase 4 tickets, and last year and this year she has graciously allowed me to purchase those tickets. We are so fortunate!

This year was Donovan's 2nd time on the Polar Express, and of course, Aaron's first. What a wonderful day! We arrived, waiting indoors until the conductor announced, "All Aboard," and then we walked up and boarded the train. This year we rode in the rear car, which was a dining car - we had a table between us - it was wonderful. Aaron asked, "Do some people sleep on this train?" We were served cookies and hot chocolate, and as the train began to journey to the "North Pole," we sang Christmas carols. Our train had to come to a stop to switch tracks, and then we arrived at the North Pole where hundreds of elves, dressed in red, greeted us, waving and welcoming us to the North Pole. The children wore nametags, and the elves all called them by name. We were brought inside, and welcomed by a local choir singing, "Believe," and then one of Santa's helpers read The Polar Express to us. At the end, Santa arrived, and said, "If you believe, follow me," and motioned up a large staircase. The line was long, and when we reached the top, both boys were eager to see Santa. Donovan went first, and hugged Santa, who promptly picked him up and hugged him. It was so sweet. Then Aaron approached and hugged Santa and Santa bent down and kissed Aaron. Then both boys were given their silver bells, which they were ringing all the way back to the car...

I remember last year as we walked into the North Pole Station, Donovan realized the Elves were calling him by name because he was wearing a name tag. He promptly covered it with his hand, to avoid the attention...This year however, he LOVED the attention - giving the Elves high fives when the offered. Last year on the train ride, Donovan was totally into looking out the window (FIRST TRAIN RIDE) and eating his cookie and not very interested in the singing of Christmas carols and did not like hot chocolate. This year he drank the hot chocolate and while certainly he was very interested in looking out the window for reindeer and elves, he was very much interested in what was going on inside the train car.

And Aaron? It amazes me how this child of ours approaches each new holiday with such openness and enthusiasm (dress up as a monkey and say Trick or Treat? SURE!; he's already talking about how in the spring when the bulbs he planted with Grandma come up an Easter Bunny is going to come and bring him jelly beans) In preparation for the Polar Express, we've been reading the book and talking about it for a couple of weeks now. Aaron was aware of the schedule - train ride, book read aloud, see Santa. He was a bit uneasy during the long wait, wanting to run his fingers through my hair. Once it was time to go on the train, he was ready! He LOVED the train ride. We kept asking him what he thought, and he said, "Good," and "Really Good." He was shy when we arrived at the North Pole and the elves were calling him by name (much like Donovan last year), but sat nicely for the story and was brave to go up to Santa and give him a hug. His response to receiving the bell...the biggest smile ever - and it lasted all the way to the car.

We asked what they liked best:
Donovan: "EVERYTHING!"
Aaron: "The train ride, and the hot chocolate, and the book, and Santa, and my bell."

Magical Day for our Family!