The Polar Express

I am sure most of you have heard of the Polar Express book, or seen the Tom Hanks animated movie of it.  Aiden fell in love with the movie this year and we watch it 2-3 times a day.  Matter of fact, it's 10am now and we just started it for the 2nd time.  He loves the music, dances and sings along, he loves the train, and he gets excited every time they get to the North Pole.

Here where we live they put on a Polar Express train ride every year.  My mom bought our whole family tickets to ride on the train and it was such a fun experience.  They even ask that kids show up in their jammies!

The conductor was hilarious - although his humor was lost on a 2 year old.  They danced up and down the aisles with the kids, served hot chocolate and cookies.  The hobo from the movie came through the train ranting and raving a few times, Aiden didn't really understand that it was the bum from the movie.  The conductor came through and punched every child's "gold ticket" just like in the movie, and then of course we got to the North Pole.

At the "north pole" we saw Santa's house and where the reindeer live on one side of the tracks.  We saw the toy warehouse and village on the other, and Santa and the Elves were outside waiting to board the train!  Santa went through each train car and handed out silver engraved bells to each child and took pictures.  Aiden wasn't sure about this particular Santa, but hasn't put his bell down since. 

Overall, if you have a chance to ride on the "polar express" in your town, please do.  Aiden loved it, Kris loved it and read along in the book when they read it aloud.  The hot chocolate was good, and it was something I know Aiden will talk about forever.  I've posted some of my favorites photos from the trip.