This is the Polar Express!

We love the movie and book The Polar Express. A few years ago, all Emma wanted for Christmas was a silver bell--no lie. Aunt G did send her a ginormous silver bell for Christmas that clanged loudly; she hasn't read the book to know that the little boy's silver bell made the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. We have the book, the book on CD, the music CD and the movie, all of which we have already watched or listened to this year.

There is a railway not too far away from us that does "The Santa Express". Just like in the book, you wear your pj's on the train, you read the book, you ride to the North Pole, and Santa comes on to give each child a silver bell. I had always wanted to take Emma on the ride, and finally did for the first time last year--she loved it. This year I felt Leah was old enough to appreciate the ride, so the three of us went on the train last night.


We're ready to go on The Polar Express!


Reading the book along with the leader in the train car



I think I see the North Pole!

As soon as we stopped at the North Pole, Leah started crying loudly. Before we even went on the train, we would talk about how Santa would get on the train and hand her a bell. She was okay with that; in theory. When the actual time came, she was scared to death. I didn't get any pictures of Santa handing Emma her bell because I was holding a crying child, trying to cover her eyes so she wouldn't even have a peek at the Big Guy. As soon as she was reassured that Santa had left our train car and wasn't coming back, she was fine.





Eating our cookies (notice Leah's eyes are still red--this was just after Santa left) They also serve very bad hot chocolate--it was not "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars" like they serve on the real Polar Express. And the teenage boys passing it out didn't dance and sing in aisles.



We did have a Christmas carol sing-a-long and also Christmas trivia and jokes. What do the Elves study in school? The "elf"abet. Why did the Elf push his bed into the fireplace? He wanted to sleep like a log. What is Santa's favorite thing to do in the garden? Ho ho ho. What Christmas song do parents like the best? Silent Night.


The girls had a great time and we hope to do it again next year!