My friend started a Polar Express tradition last year with her family and she invited us and some other families to be a part of it this year. I was able to help her plan it and we had so much fun.
We rented a 15 passenger van and we decorated it. We all put our kids to bed like normal. We all made sure to read the Polar Express Book before we went to bed.
We had hot chocolate and candy waiting on the van. One by one, the van made it's way to each child's house. When the van pulled into our drive way, we turned on our little train and blew the whistle. We rang jingle bells and turned on the lights and yelled "All Aboard". I gave Emily her Polar Express ticket.
At first Emily wouldn't get up. She was really asleep and really confused. Jeff climbed up to her loft bed to get her. You can see how she felt about this.
Still trying to wake up!
Once she saw her friends in the van and got some candy and hot chocolate, she was feeling pretty good.
We were the 3rd house and we had one more friend to pick up before we went looking for Christmas lights.
We came back to our house and found Santa on the FRONT PORCH!!!!
Santa had Polar Express bells and candy canes in his bag for all the kids.
It was such a fun night. Emily said it was the, "Best Night EVER!" She went to bed at 11:00pm but it was totally worth it! A magical night for sure!
This year the 5th grade buddies joined us for our milk carton gingerbread houses.
Wednesday was the last class of 2013 and the parents were able to come and observe. They did a tap and ballet dance for us. There are only 4 in the class and one didn't dance this week.
This year we were invited by some friends to attend a Gingerbread House Making Party Fundraiser. It was so fun. The houses are home made and they are put together before you get there. They have tons of candy and other food and drinks. It was so fun and the money went to help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The event was at a stable so they were able to take a ride on a horse too!
Behold, the houses. We made two for teachers at school as well!
We had a wonderful time. When we got home Santa was out and he had a surprise for Emily. The gingerbread bathtub duck she had been wanting to replace one we lost.
