"Why, to the North Pole!"

Just to preface: My children LOVE to sit and watch "The Polar Express." Kalena sings along with the music and they all enjoy the hot chocolate scene. They could watch that movie every day if I would let them, but it won't happen. I would say it is their favorite Christmas movie.

Heber Valley railroad had a Polar Express train ride every year around Christmas. They sell out quickly. Last Thrusday, we decided to take the kiddos just for an evening of fun. It was the perfect age to take them. They had little girls dressed as Santa's elves. They had some boys in chef hats and black pants to look like the guys who pass out the hot cocoa.



When the train started going, the elves passed out cookies and hot chocolate. They also got their tickets punched from the conductor. Kalena's question to me was "Mom, why did he do just one hole?"



Afterward, they read "The Polar Express" story. By the time it ended, we were arriving at the North Pole (lights set out at the top of a hill to make it look like the workshop). Santa was standing outside waving to all the kids through the windows so they could see him before he got onto the train. This was the end of the journey before we began to head back.

As we started to head back Kalena says to me, "Mom, where are we going?"
Me: We are going back home now.
Kalena: But we didn't go to the North Pole.
Me: Yes we did.
Kalena: But we didn't get to see Santa (as she is trying hard not to get mad)
Me: Didn't you see him outside waving to us?
Kalena: Yes
Me: Well, maybe he is on the train now. Do think he is?
Kalena: No. (With a pouty look)
Me: I am sorry, but I think he might be on the train.

She dropped the conversation and just looked outside as we headed back, but then she noticed Mrs. Clause. AND a few minutes later her face lit up as she saw Santa walk into our boxcar to give them the first gift of Christmas.



They each got bells with little red ribbons tied to them.



After Santa's appearance, she was satisfied and tired. ALL of them were satisfied they got to see Santa. They shook their bells the whole way back to the train depot. Lavea'i enjoyed it just as much as the other three. He loved his bell so much that when I tried to take it away, because he kept playing the game of throwing it down and letting Mom pick it up, he screamed and kept trying to hit me. What a temper!

What a night it was; filled with Santa and bells! OH, what fun it is to ride!!!!!