Make way for the Polar Express

After an overloaded day Saturday (two parties and a trip to see Ben’s parents where they gave him a fabulous shiny red and chrome bike for his birthday) we’re trying to take it a bit easy today. We’ve been working on a little Christmas project and we spent a bit of time on that this morning and then we made spritz cookies. I didn’t find either of these projects particularly relaxing. Sam’s main priority was eating the decorations and tossing them all over the house. I objected. He told me “mama, I’m mad at you!”

We had tickets to the Polar Express on Sunday evening and as the time got closer and closer I began to dread the evening. Maybe because it falls into the category of one more thing to do, maybe because I’m just a party pooper, maybe it’s that I’d eaten way too many Christmas cookies over the course of the weekend, or maybe because I’m already getting tired of Christmas hoopla. I had Christmas spirit on Saturday so maybe I used it up having fun.

If you've read the book you'll be happy to know that the visuals associated with the Burlington version of the Polar Express aren't nearly as gloomy and bleak as the pictures in the book. In fact, the Burlington version is downright cheery and free of character facial distortions. Some of the pictures in the book are downright scary but Sam never seemed to notice.

My lack of enthusiasm evaporated as Sam’s enthusiasm grew. We’d been reading the book and he loves trains, so nothing much mattered, even that the adventure started near bedtime. He donned his gay apparel (red pj’s) and off we went. It’s an impressive operation requiring hundreds of volunteers and lots of good organization. We took a poky little trip from Burlington to South Burlington and back, perhaps a total of 6 miles. This is a very short trip to your average commuter but add some hot chocolate, big cookie, other excited kids, Christmas carols, and the NORTH POLE at the end and it’s a recipe for a happy Sam.

The train was greeted by thousands (ok, perhaps a hundred) elves and we were ushered into the train station which was all gussied up for Christmas and filled with singing. We sat on the floor and as we waiting, Sam kept looking at the ceiling and saying "Something big is going to come from the sky!" and even though that never materialized, the kids settled down nicely to hear the book read aloud. Later we all filed upstairs where the kids each got a bell and a quick glimpse of the somewhat scary Santa Claus. Sam left the event running, laughing, ringing his bell and spreading Christmas goodwill. Even to me.