Thanksgiving 2011: A Ride on the Polar Express

While in Michigan, we were able to go on a train ride from Owosso, Michigan to Chesaning, Michigan aboard the North Pole Express.  It was so fun!  Dad and Dolly bought tickets in the “Cocoa Class”.  Grandpa Dean, Grandma Dolly, Daymian, Jordan, Uncle Chris, Aunt Kristin, Olivia and Sophia were all riding right along with us.  If you’ve ever seen the Polar Express movie, you know about the cocoa car!  J  Those who served the cocoa, though, didn’t dance on the ceiling… The car in which we rode was an antique railroad car from the 1940’s.  In fact, the Polar Express movie’s sound samples were taken from the Pere Marquette 1225 car, which normally runs on this line!  That particular engine  was undergoing a federally mandated overhaul, but we got to ride in one of the cars that the 1225 normally pulls.

We drove up I-75 to the Owosso area, where we ate at Cracker Barrel for lunch.  All of the kids wore their pajamas, just like the kids in the Polar Express movie.  When we were at Cracker Barrel, we ran into Aunt Freda and Rebecca.  What a small world!!! It was strange but nice to have a family reunion in the middle of Cracker Barrel!  I wish we could’ve spent longer visiting.

After lunch, we headed to the railroad depot in Owosso.  There we boarded the train and waited for it to leave the station. Knowing Liam’s love for trains, this made the experience that much more magical.  Once we left the station, the ride was a very smooth and relaxing one.  We were served endless hot cocoa and a huge sugar cookie.  We were on our way to the North Pole!  Along the way, Liam would point out the “many swamps” that he saw.  It was pretty cute, the things that he would point out.  Ava seemed to enjoy the ride, as well!

Once the train slowed as we approached Chesaning, we saw Santa and Mrs. Claus waiving outside of the station!  How cool that was!  Once the train stopped, we headed into the North Pole.  It was seriously over the top!  Dimly lit, arcade type lights everywhere, games, craft booths, a gorgeous carousel, lots of carnival rides and a miniature train to ride.  We had a blast.  All that, and we got to visit Santa, as well! 

While in line waiting to see Santa, I prepped Liam for the Santa visit.  I mentioned that he would need to tell Santa what it was that he might want for Christmas.  I told him “If you want ‘pinchy diesel’ for Christmas (which is a Diesel train in part of the Thomas the Train series) you need to tell Santa.  If you don’t tell Santa, he won’t know what you want.”  He heeded the advice and once  on Santa’s lap, was in immediate conversation with Santa.  In fact, we had to call his name so he would look toward us, so we could take a picture.  J  Quite different from last year’s wailing-and-gnashing-of-teeth picture with Santa.  After jumping off Santa’s lap, the kids wanted to go on the carousel, followed by a few more rides.  We had a little snack, bought a souvenir ornament and a few other small souvenirs just in time to head back to the train. 

Once aboard the train for the return trip, we had more cocoa and were given signature Cocoa Class mugs as souvenirs.  Liam finally fell asleep on the train ride back, after not sleeping all day!

What a fun thing to do with family.  Definitely a neat holiday activity I will remember for years to come!

Goofy!

Oops... I interrupted a conversation with Santa...

In sequence, I took pictures of Doug and Liam, while Doug took video coming down the slide.

Enjoying endless cocoa!  Hot!  Hot!  Hot!

Peace, love and "All-Aboard!"

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

A Day Out With Thomas!

I saw commercials on t.v. during the month of September, advertising "A Day Out With Thomas."  Considering Liam's love of all things "Thomas the Train," I thought it would be nice for our family to break away from the retaining-wall madness, so we bought tickets. 


It was just what the doctor ordered and a gorgeous day, to boot!  We knew it was quite a trek from here to Cordele, Georgia (it's close to the Georgia / Florida state line).  The kids were great for the car ride there.  When we arrived at the Veterans' Park, we parked, took a shuttle to the festival area and ate lunch.  The kids both had a port-o-potty experience, which always proves interesting!  :)  After milling around the upper level of Thomas festivities (face-painting, temporary tattoos, live music and a huge train table area), we headed down to the train area.  It was entirely too sweet to watch Liam's expression as he first saw Thomas the train.  He was one happy kiddo. 

Liam's first view of Thomas the Train.  :)

We boarded the train and waited about 20 minutes for others to board the SAM shortline.  The kids enjoyed looking out the window, seeing the sights within the train.  When we got ready to take off, the conductor told us Thomas needed our help, and to say "Pull Thomas, pull!"  As we pulled out of the station, Liam looked over at me and said "Mommy, I don't think we're going forward?  I think we're going the wrong way!"  I was pretty impressed that he realized we were going backward.  Especially after having been seated on the train for 20 minutes or so.  Thomas actually drove us backward for the first half of the trainride, for 15 minutes.  Once we reached the end of the SAM Shortline, Thomas then switched directions and we pushed back toward the station, for the last 15 minutes.  Liam was in his glory the entire time we were on the train.  It was so fun to watch him have fun with this train, since he knows EVERY. SINGLE. THOMAS. TRAIN. by name.  It was his time.  It was so fun!

The weather got a little warmer as the day progressed.  We waited in line to take a picture with Thomas.  We stocked up on all things Thomas in the seriously full-of-gnats gift shop tent.  Even Ava wanted a t-shirt to commemorate the occasion.  As girly as she is, she often plays with Liam and his trains.  :)  The kids then went in a bounce house, cooled off with a lemonade and also had their picture taken with Sir Topham Hatt before we called it a day.  Liam slept the entire car ride home (over two hours).  

I'm so glad we went!  When we went to the Princess breakfast at Disney in February, I felt like it was perfectly timed for Ava.  She was just the right age.  I feel like this was the perfect age for Liam to have gone to see Thomas, as well.  Quite often, lately, when we're working on this retaining wall, I feel like we're short-changing the kids.  I know it's temporary, but know they are in need of attention, as well.  A day like this was perfectly timed, the perfect occasion for us all, where we could just enjoy the "sunshiney" weather and each other's company.  

Peace, love and one memorable day out with the family,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam