After several consecutive trips on the Polar Express, it was hard to keep our plans a secret. Max asked repeatedly if (and when) we would be riding the rails. We managed to surprise him by picking him up from school with his pajamas and robe waiting in the car! It took him a few minutes to comprehend what was happening because he was so excited that we were in the first group for the car line (I never make it into the first group due to Sarah's nap...and not wanting to sit in front of the school for an excessive amount of time).
Although his excitement remained high as we drove through the mountains, Max asked, "We aren't really going to the North Pole, right? The train doesn't really go all that way. It's just pretend, right?"
My heart almost stopped. Was he old enough to start questioning? Or to stop believing?
Both kids were bouncing out of their seats by the time we stopped for a quick bite at a McDonalds near the train station. Sarah was immediately intrigued by the man with the long white beard who was typing on his laptop at the table behind us. She loudly asked, "Is that Santa? Is that him, Mama? Is he eating here, too?"
Was it?
The man was quickly forgotten as we prepared to board the Polar Express for our trip to the North Pole...
All aboard!
Get your tickets ready!
Tickets, please.
Singing and dancing through the car
Sarah's favorite part - the treats!
Musical chairs
Who's coming?
It's Santa!
"It's nice to see you again, Sarah."
The bell
"Hi, Max. Merry Christmas! You did a great job at McDonalds tonight. You were very well behaved."
"Santa knows my name! He knows I was at McDonalds!"
Folks, we have a believer.
The second biggest highlight of the trip was singing Christmas carols on the way home, including Sarah's favorite,
Rudolph
and an exciting rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas
Five Golden Rings!
Truly, a magical trip.
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