Polar Express

Last night we went on the Polar Express. Anthony's dad got a group together to go on the train. Unfortunately, he ended up with a conflict and couldn't make it after all. Also, the Polar Express people mixed up the date from all the people registered through HAFB and we barely got on the train. Some people had to come back another day. It was really weird. So we had four people on one little bench, but it was still so much fun. The elves, "Jingle" and "Jangle" and our chef "Cinnamon" brought around cookies and hot chocolate and we were on our way to the north pole. Preston was so excited that he was on a train and looked out the window and watched as we chugged along. He didn't really know that we were going to the north pole, but he kept shouting "Time Tunnel" and singing "Dinosaur Train." For those who don't know, Dinosaur Train is a cute new show on PBS that my kids adore. They BOTH love it so it has quickly become one of our favorites. I mean, dinosaurs and trains - how much better can it get for a little boy. :) Preston made it through 1/3 of the adventure and then was out cold. There was no waking that poor child. I guess that's what happens when you go on a train ride at 8:00p.m. When we arrived at the north pole, Santa was waving at us and we could see his village up on the hill. He came through and talked to all the kids and gave each of them a jingle bell from one of his reindeer. Dylan decided his jingle sounded like Prancer's jingle and Anthony told me he ended up with Rudolph's. Funny kids! Dylan was more concerned with sitting next to Anthony, who was sitting with the other family in the group since he dad couldn't make it. Half way through the other dad, Jeff, decided to come back by us and stand and let Dylan and Anthony sit together. Marcos and I both ended up standing too since Preston was sound asleep and all my body parts were falling asleep from holding a sleeping "baby" so long. Yeah, I know he's a pretty big baby these days. :) The elves told us jokes and lead us in Christmas songs. It was really fun, even if we were crammed in there pretty tight. It was definitely a memorable experience!

After boarding the train

The whole fam on our little bench

The kids and I with Mrs. Claus - if Preston looks sad it's because he was two seconds from falling asleep

We read the Polar Express book with the elves and that was it - Preston was completely out

Dylan and Anthony finally sitting together

We were a few rows back from them so this is what we saw most of the time

Dylan and Anthony with Jingle and Jangle

The conductor punching Dylan's ticket (we didn't end up with tickets because of the confusion on the dates so some older lady let Dylan use her to get punched. He was SO excited!)

Dylan and Anthony with Santa

Santa posing with my sound asleep little Preston

Next to the train after the ride to the North Pole (Dylan is sad because he wants to ride home with Anthony and Preston is sad because he has been rudely awakened from his cozy night's sleep by being dragged out to the freezing cold air - you never know what things are going to look like with kids! So much for the happy memory smiling by the train!)