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.
Ali,
What a magical experience for Simon, and the family. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. . .your avid readers.
Many Blessings,
~lisa westphal
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Ali, what a wonderful adventure! I love the special touch of the PJs and robe, and your storytelling and photos really made it come alive. I am a little bit jealous, even though I'm 64 years old! I fear my December Daily is a bit boring by comparison--except, I do have a brand new granddaughter. So far I only have a couple pix, thanks to cell phone, as she is too far away. I can't wait 'til January. Meanwhile, she has a prominant place in my DD book!
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Wow Ali, what a great adventure. I sure do wish we had something like that down here in Southern California. My 2 little boys would have lost their minds! Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm sure Simon was one happy boy!
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That is so cool!
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OK This has to be my favorite story of the whole year! What a treat to hear all about your adventure. Thanks for sharing! Yes, one lucky little boy...for having you both as parents.
Merry Christmas,
Lynn in ND
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I had tears in my eyes reading this post - I could just picture the sheer delight of a little boy actually going on the Polar Express - what a magical and amazing thing to do! Thanks for sharing your story - it made my day.
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Ali, what an awesome adventure for your entire family! Sounds so very cool! =)
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Wow - what an experience. I feel like I shared it with you. Its very very special. thank you so much for sharing such a special family experience.
It snowed here in the Oakland Hills this week. No snow days, as it was not that much, but sure fun to run around in.
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This is amazing!! I didn't know this even existed. We have watched The Polar Express 3 times already...and will watch it more I am sure! Your son looked so happy and full of amazement...he'll remember it forever!! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! PS. You are a trooper for venturing out in that weather and driving so far!! Oh, the things us Moms endure for our kids!
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Wow!!!! How cool is that!!!!! I can imagine the excitement that Simon must have been feeling. I was totally reading with anticipation myself. What a wonderful experience and a fantastic story. I know that you and your husband are so thankful for being able to share this Simon and thanks so much for sharing this here.
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Wow, Allie!
I love this story & your personal telling of this story for Simon brought me to tears & warmed my heart! You are an awesome mom!
Merry Christmas to you, Chris & Simon (and little E to be)....
Inga
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That is one of the most magical stories I've read in a long time. I do wish we had a Polar Express here, not only for my own young children, but my sixth grade students as well. We do a writing unit for Polar Express during December, and even at that age, they love it!
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Thanks so much for sharing the story Ali!
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Oh, Ali. It sounds bad but I periodically check your blog a few times at work throughout the day waiting for you December Daily update and today I was pleasantly surprised by The Polar Express story. I couldn't stop smiling as I read today's entry - what a wonderful, thoughtful experience you created for Simon. All of the thought of getting new PJs and a bathrobe for him to wear as he took the train was just so sweet. Thank you for sharing your memory with us, I can't wait to see you scrap it! :)
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What an awesome adventure and memory. Wishing you and your family a blessing-filled Christmas. Take care. Peace.
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oh Ali, this is amazing. thanks so much for sharing your wonderful adventure. my 4.5 year old would have loved that so much and tomorrow I'm going to show him your blog and tell him all about Simon's adventure on the Polar Express. It is so very cool! You've sent shivers all over my body (which is no easy task here in Darwin, Australia!!) Have a wonderful Christmas
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Sounds like an awesome adventure!!!
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What a great and totally cool adventure! I can tell you were almost as excited as Simon was just by your sparkly writing! This amazing story made my day!
Merry Christmas!
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What a wonderful experience! I LOVE that Simon wore his jammies and robe!!! What a special memory you made for your family. I couldn't help smiling as I read your account. Awesome, awesome stuff!
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How Magical! What a great adventure. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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Ali, reading your blog has totally made my day! I use to read the Polar Express to my son when he was little. It is such a magical book. You can see the magic in Simon's eyes. What a neat, neat experience for Simon and for you & Chris to watch it all! I so wish I could have done a Polar Express ride with my kids when they were young! I think you are the coolest mom! Great photos. Merry Christmas to you, Chris, Simon & Baby"?"
Kathy Weiland
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What a cool adventure--especially with the snow!!!
Love the photo of Simon with the bell.
{vicki}
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What a fun time. Makes me wish my kids were younger again.
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how magical! we have the film too, and this year I have scrapped a very small box for my daughter becci ( who is 21!) which has got a letter from Santa to her inside, together with 'the bell'. she will love it! I adore watching the great Christmas films this time of year..bring it on!
Happy Christmas from the netherlands!
Suzanne x
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Oh what a wonderful, fun experience! My husband is in a vocal group in Orlando that is singing at the Polar Express Experience at Sea World. They made them train conductor outfits just like the movie and everything!
http://flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/3122946586/in/set-72157611448868590/
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