North Pole Express

DECEMBER 2013

There are so many fun Christmas Activities - it's impossible to fit them all into *one* holiday season.  I like to try one new activity each year.  This season it was THE POLAR EXPRESS.  It had all the elements our girls love: trains, hot chocolate, reindeer and a visit from Santa Claus. 

It was lightly snowing as we arrived at the Heber Valley Station; So pretty with the snow falling on the light posts and train as passengers loaded.   

We boarded the train, and the elves in our car, turned our seats so our family was facing each other.  As we started inching along (there's a reason it's called the Heber CREEPER) Gracie spotted a deer out the window.  She saw it long before the elf who was holding the microphone, announced it to everyone in the car.  She was elated.  I whispered to her that we must be getting close to the North Pole if we were seeing reindeer.  Her face!  She was awestruck and had that sparkle in her eyes!  Her expression made the whole evening worth it.

The elves handed out cookies made by Mrs. Claus.  We sipped on hot cocoa.  The historic train car was decorated with garland and lights.  The girls enjoyed making a human train and dancing with the other kids on the North Pole Express. 

The elves sang songs and told jokes.  One elf held mistletoe over Gracie's head...so Gracie gave her sister a kiss.  Sienna got mad and tried to bite Gracie.  (Sigh)  The outing wouldn't be complete without some bad behavior.

Pouty Little Miss

 

Dad knows how to make everything better.

As we got closer to the North Pole, they told us Santa makes the North Pole invisible, so the fisherman & boaters won't see the magical town, from the lake.   The only way the North Pole appears,  is if the elves can feel the spirit of Christmas by hearing loud singing.  We were singing 'jingle bells' LOUD.  Suddenly, hundreds of lights turned on - illuminating village homes...Santa's Workshop...an entire magic city...and the Big Guy in red waving!  All the children squealed and clapped.  It was really surprising!
Santa Claus worked his way through each car.  He scooped both Sienna and Gracie up and held them, while they told him their Christmas Wishes.  (Gracie asked for a Rainbow Dash Pony Costume and Equestrian Girls Doll.  Sienna asked for Princess Cadance, also from 'My Little Pony'.)  This was the best picture we got....Sienna looks unimpressed.

Santa gave the girls a bell.  One of the elves came up to Gracie after, and asked if she could take a look at her bell.  The elf rang the bell.

"You are special,"  the elf said.  "I brush the reindeer everyday.  And I know the sound of their bells.  This bell comes from Rudolph."

Gracie's eyes lit up!  The elf could not have said anything better than that. Gracie is borderline obsessed with Rudolph...her fascination with the deer with the red nose started when she was three.  It was really cute!  She went right home and hung her bell on our Christmas Tree.    It was a fun night for our family.