Polar Express

There is an old train near our house that runs every weekend (think Heber Creeper). From time to time they do themed runs, like to a pumpkin patch for Halloween, or Hogwarts Express or Thomas the Tank. I kept meaning to take Isaac during the summer but somehow we ran out of time. Finally, we had time off and had managed to book tickets before they were all sold out for the Christmas, Polar Express run. All last week we prepped Isaac about our upcoming train ride by reading the book every night before bed.

When we got there it had just stopped snowing and everything was all white and beautiful. We were late, as usual, but that was actually OK because then we didn't have to keep the kids out in the cold while we waited in line to board the train. We ate cookies and drank hot chocolate while we watched juggling elves and elves that performed magic tricks along the way. (I don't know how you could juggle with the train rocking and bouncing like it was...pretty impressive.)

When we got to our destination Santa and Mrs Claus were there for kids to visit with. The line was huge and it was a big mud pit since there were so many people. Luckily, behind Santa's shack was a big, open field that was covered with undisturbed snow. We decided that we could wait in the big line and be last to visit Santa, or we could play fox and geese in the field and still be last to visit Santa. Well, duh! We ran around chasing each other for about 30 minutes. I seemed to always be it even though Tom was carrying Nick. You are pretty easy to catch, confided Taylor on the way back. I don't know why no one else on the train wanted to play in te snow. I guess waiting in the mud line was much better for them. When the line was short we went in and visited Santa and received a bell to take home. Amazingly, we all agreed, the best part was playing fox and geese together.