Our Polar Express Train ride

[lrmc]

We stopped and picked up DH at work and than headed down towards the train station. We stopped off at Bob Evans for dinner and than drove over to the train station. Boarding was to start at 6:30 with the train pulling out at 7 on the nose.

We got there a few minutes early and changed the kiddos into their pjs for the trip. I think nearly all of the children on the ride were wearing their pj’s. We had to wait in line for about 5 minutes but it felt longer as it was really really cold and the wind was blowing like crazy. I tried to take photos of the train but it was too dark.

Finally the conductor opened up the gate we headed for our train car. We had to step up on a step to board our car for the trip. Our tickets were for the first seats on the number 5 car so we kept our coats on for a bit before removing them for the trip as everyone was boarding the train near us. The whole trip took about 2 hours.

Elf Mary was our tour guide for the trip. She went over a few rules about what to do while on the train. After the rules were done she read the Polar Express book. We took our own copy so we read along with her.

As we made our way towards the North Pole we sang Christmas Songs. The elves brought out hot coco and cookies that the elves had made. Those were very yummy chocolate chip cookies. And the hot coco was just right too.

As we got closer to the North Pole the Engine started to lose power and the lights went off (better to see outside). When we arrived we saw the reindeer stables, Santa’s house, the workshop where the elves make the toys, the elves houses and Jack Frost the dog with his parents. All the elves came out to greet the train. Than we saw Santa’s sleigh being drawn by Snowflake the white horse since the reindeer were in getting ready to pull Santa’s sleigh. Oh I can’t forget Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph were also there.

After we left the North Pole, we headed back for home on the train. We sang a few more songs and Santa showed up to talk to each child. Ben was the first one he talked to on our car. He asked for trains (what else would he ask for LOL). One of the elves gave Santa a bell to give to Ben. Erin just kind of looked at Santa and snuggled more into Daddy’s lap. Santa than went on to talk to all the children on the train.

After Santa left the train car Elf Mary had the kiddos do a jammie parade. Erin wanted to go too so Ben grabbed her hand and headed towards the back of the car where the parade would start. The children paraded from one end of the car to the other and than headed back to their seats. Ben got a little lost and headed back up to the wrong end of the car but turned around and headed back to us. It didn’t take long for us to make it back to our station. We traveled home listening to Christmas carols on the radio.

[VMG]

We are watching Polar Express right now .

Sounds like it was a magical outing!

Verena

[foogball]

Oh man that sounds amazing! What a cool thing to be able to do! Man, I wish they had that here... Cai would LOVE that!!!

[LostAngel212]

sounds great! looks like they had fun!

[LandJ]

That is so cool!! I wish we had something like that here. The pics are great!

[cecilia]

What a wonderful memory for your kids...you are an awesome Mommy!

[Karin]

Oh Wow! i got chills reading your post. My girls would LOVE that! I'm so glad you got to do that with your family. What a wonderful memory you have created for all of you

[bianca]

That sounds like so much fun!

[tasha]

Riley would LOVE that!

tasha

[writer4kids]

I love those pictures... his expression in the first one is priceless!