The Polar Express
We made it back safe and sound last night from our adventure to ride the Polar Express on the Mt. Hood Railroad.
This was a trip we had been planning for months (you have to get the
tickets months in advance - a big thanks to Jen for the reminder email
earlier this year to sign up) as a surprise for Simon. He is a huge fan
of the The Polar Express
story and especially the movie.
We picked him up early from school on Wednesday and started driving north. We told him we were going on a surprise adventure and it was going to be quite a ways in the car. In a box in the car we had packed a new set of surprise Christmas PJ's and planned to stop at Target to pick up a bathrobe like the boy in the movie wears.
Our big fear was that we would not be able to make it over to Hood River. It's a three-hour drive in regular conditions but because of snow and freezing temperatures all over Oregon we just weren't sure if we were going to be able to make it. Because of that we did not tell Simon where we were going until we were sure we were going to make it all the way.
We stopped at a Target south of Portland and I ran in to see what kind of boys bathrobes they had available. They actually had quite a few choices but I went with a fleece blue Cars bathrobe with red on the collar and cuffs...and it was $8 (probably the best $8 I have spent in a long time as you will see). I got back in the car and off we went.
The roads were totally fine almost the entire way. It got a little bit slick with packed snow and ice and snow coming down as we approached Hood River but nothing that slowed us down.
As soon as we could tell that we were really going to make it we started giving Simon clues about where we were going and what we were planning to do. We gave him the PJ's to open and he was pretty excited about those but still had not guessed where we were going. We came up with some easier clues, handed over the bag with the bathrobe and let him open that and it all started coming together for him.
"Are we going on the Polar Express?" he finally asked with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
"That's right buddy. We are going to ride on the Polar Express and you get to wear your PJ's and bathrobe on the train just like in the movie."
As we pulled into Hood River the snow was really coming down. The train depot is right downtown so we pulled in there and checked-in, picking up our official tickets. We had been going back and forth about staying the night but considering the weather and the fact that the Hood River Hotel was right across the street we decided to just go for it. We drove over, got a room that was able to accommodate the dog as well, gathered up our stuff, and piled into the room so that Simon could change into his PJ's and bathrobe.
The excitement level at this point was pretty high for all of us. We were able to walk out the door of our room right down to the train depot. The fact that it was snowing and there was snow all around really added to the whole adventure.
Down at the train depot there were lots of families gathering to wait for the train. While waiting we picked up a copy of the Polar Express book and Simon sat down to check it out.
Soon enough everyone began forming a line and we saw the train pull up
and the conductor come in and welcome us to the Polar Express. We
found our train car and climbed aboard. Because of the weather there
were many families that decided not to brave the elements so there was
lots of room available to move cars or change seats. We ended up moving
into a warmer car that ended up being a great move because we ended up
being second in line to see Santa (a wait that would have been
challenging).
Once we were all settled in the train began to move and the conductor came around and punched all the kids tickets just like in the movie with little punched circles flying all around.
Polar Express music was playing on the sound system. Hot cocoa was served by "bakers" (as Simon likes to call the white hats). And then they read the entire Polar Express story over the loud-speaker. It was cool to have the book with us at our seat so Simon could follow along.
As the train rolled along we came to a little village they had set up as the North Pole with elves and Santa! Santa and the elves boarded the train and came and visited each of the kids, giving them their own special Christmas bell.
On the way back there was lots of singing and finishing up of hot chocolate. It was such a cool trip. The best part for us was just watching Simon's reaction to everything. Seeing all the joy and anticipation for each little thing. It was so cool.
After the train ride we headed across the street for some pizza and video games before heading back to our room. When we did get back to the room Simon played out the entire Polar Express movie and definitely wanted to sleep in the bathrobe. And why not?
Overall it was a really special trip for all of us. We are so glad we were able to make it over there and back safely and that it was such a cool surprise for Simon.
Family adventures are awesome.
All day yesterday, as we made our way back home (including some shopping stops in Portland), he wore that bathrobe over his clothes with bell and punched ticket in hand.
And guess what? It snowed here again last night. For the third time this week we woke up to a no-school announcement. Talk about one very lucky little boy.
I will be catching up on December Daily creations this weekend.
What a wonderful story - Polar Express and Simon's Adventure. You both are wonderful parents.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I read your blog every day. I wait for each new entry. Even though I think you're an awesome artist, and even though I follow along with some of your projects, and even though I learn a lot about color and design and life from your blog, my favorite posts are about Simon.
I sent a link to your site to an acquaintance of mine who has a son who's as special as Simon is. She's enjoyed reading about Simon and his adventures, too.
I just wanted to say that this post, today's, the Polar Express post, well, it's my #1, all-time, forever favorite. And you and Chris are AWESOME parents. That you can give a gift like this trip to your son is lucky and great and wonderful.
That you can share it with us is incredible.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
We took the kids on a similar ride...a Santa Train ride up the biggest mountain in Colorado, Pikes Peak. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and lots of elves road the train with us, and when we stopped, we had cocoa and cookies with Santa. It was the best day. I can only imagine how happy Simon was. Great memories.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
just amazing...such exciting emotion filled photos..what a great experience!!!!
xo
annie
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow - what a cool journey! Simon looks so excited in your photos. I would love to have done somethign like this as a kid!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
this looks so wonderful and so fun! my boys would have loved this. what a wonderful memory for your son.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow! What a magical experience that Simon will remember for the rest of his life! I totally adore that he got to wear his pjs & bathrobe! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
this is so fantastic! i love that simon will treasure this day forever. and the bathrobe is simply perfect. i just watched this movie again when it was on the other night...love it.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Tears .....thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
That is so so awesome! I felt like I was getting a present, waiting to hear what the surprise was!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Okay, I had goosebumps reading your entry today...What a wonderful and magical experience you were able to create for your boy and yourselves. I'm glad you were able to make the trip safely, and that you had such a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing your adventure with all of us. :-)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Oh my gosh...my son would love that! He is 3 years old and just started watching Polar Express a couple months ago and soooo loves it. He wants to watch it just about every day. Too bad we live in California, but what a wonderful adventure that must have been for Simon! Don't you just love surprising them with stuff like that. We took our son to see Thomas the train this past Summer and we did tell him about it until we were on the way and started dropping hints. He figured it out and once were there it was awesome to see his face light up!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
I hope you and your husband know what GREAT parents you are to that beautiful little boy.
You gave him a magical memory!!
Valerie
Sign in or sign up to comment.
We haven't done the Polar Express Train ride but have heard of it. Sounds like it was magical and a wonderful memory for all of you, but especially Simon. Looks like the Eastern side of the state will be getting another storm tonight. We're really enjoying the snow (just not the 15 degree temperatures that go with it - we can't even sled in the stuff). Merry Christmas!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
WOW!!! what a magical adventure for your family!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
I cried when I read your post. It touched me in so many ways- memories of bringing our two boys on the "North Pole Express" here in CT, for the joy on your little ones face, and for those who will never have those experiences. We are truly blessed, just like your quote states today. God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas!
Maggs in CT
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Great story :-) Lucky kiddo!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful adventure. I have a new grandson that will love this trip someday...he lives in Eugene and I live in The Dalles, so it will be perfect for him when he is old enough to understand...I can't wait. Your son is just too cute for words!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful memory for your family to share and create.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Oh my goodness. Sounds amazing!!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Dear Chris, Ali and Simon-
Thank you for taking us on the Polar Express via your blog--we had such fun seeing Santa and when we closed our eyes and thought about hot cocoa we could almost smell it in the air. The snow was so beautiful too and we all had such a good nights sleep after all the excitement.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas!
Love,
Pete, Ana, Gus, Chloe and Shorty
PS
Simon looked quite dapper in his new jammies and robe!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thank you so much for sharing this Christmas adventure with your blog readers. I am in tears. What a beautiful memory!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
what a great trip!! TFS.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
We did the Hood River Polar Express last year as our special Christmas outing with Gamma and aunt, uncle, cousins. Our kids were 7 and 6 then. Loved it. Just magical. And it was the first time our son (7) was willing to talk to/visit with Santa ever! (Well, except his first Christmas when he was 2 mos. old). This year their bells are hanging on our tree. (I think we went to the same Pietros afterward--and also spent the night in a hotel which was an added treat and experience for the kids.) Warmest Christmas wishes (5 days without school in Sherwood, OR--unheard of!). Thank you for sharing all that you do.
Amy E
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I enjoyed riding along with you during your story. I love the Polar Express and read it over and over and over when my kids were young. I wish we would have had something like your trip back then. What a great experience. I so enjoy seeing Simon grow and get excited, too! Glad everyone is home safe and sound but what an experience.
Jenell
Sign in or sign up to comment.