A few months ago, as the topic of Christmas is a year-round conversation at our house, I asked the boys if they would rather go to Breakfast with Santa at Thanksgiving Point or on the Polar Express. The immediate response simultaneously was "Polar Express." I tried my best to point out all of the advantages of Breakfast with Santa; a yummy breakfast, sitting on Santa's lap, getting a Christmas design painted on their face, making an ornament, seeing the Grinch and Cindy Lou, and every other fun activity I could remember. I was met with strong resistance. I was scrambling, but there was not any reason I could come up with that would dissuade them.
My reason for NOT wanting to go on the Polar Express is as follows: It's way too expensive for what it is! This is what the experience is for me: getting on an old rickety train that is cold, has a string of Christmas lights strung up the side, some volunteer teens running around in felt elf outfits, the Polar Express book being read over an intercom system that is crackling and you can't understand what they're saying, two hours is way too long for the kids- they're all restless and many of them crying before we're even half way through, when we finally reach the "North Pole" it's nothing more than a few lights strewn around over some picnic pavilions at Deer Creek, and then we finally get back to the Depot and it's time to head home. So why do we do it? Because there is not one cell in Oakley's or Eli's body that does not believe that we actually go to the North Pole on the official Polar Express, that the Santa that boards the train is the real deal, that the bell he gives each of them is really from Santa's sleigh, that Mrs. Claus really did make the cookies that are handed out and the copy of the recipe she shares is absolutely the one used in the official North Pole kitchen, and that the elves you talk to really do report right to Mr. Claus himself.
That's why we do it. That's why we'll continue to make the annual trip on the Polar Express as long as that magic still exists - because to watch the boys on the journey to the "North Pole" is PRICELESS!!!
There it is! Time to board the Polar Express.
"Tickets please!"
The train conductor walks through the train punching everyones tickets.
Asher spent most of the train riding climbing back and forth over the back of the seat...
... and trying to tear down the decorations.
Oakley finds great pleasure eating Mrs. Claus' cookie...
... as did Asher.
Skippy the Elf hanging out with Oakley and Eli.
"Next time you see Santa, can you tell him how good I am at sticking out my tongue? You can see how much it thrills my Mom," Asher tells Lula Bell the Elf.
The much anticipated visit from Mr. C.
"I rode all the way to the North Pole and all Santa gave me was this bell?!?!?!"
Oakley will always believe and hear the magic ringing of Santa's sleigh bell.