ALL ABOARD!!!

I ADORE The Polar Express ever since my second grade teacher read it to my class I was head over heals. It's a beautiful story. When I was fresh out of college and living in New York I got to see the movie in 3D Imax, it was a huge deal back then. The snow, the train careening across the ice, it was all breath taking. I worked for Santa at Macy's 34th street that holiday season and they played The Polar Express soundtrack pretty often. I loved that music and it became forever tied to those wonderful weeks working for Santa, in my memory.

Needless to say, when my father-in-law acquired the Polar Express train and invited us over to play with it and watch the movie I was super excited. My kiddos grow up into between each visit to the rails.

2009

It was more for Isaac's benefit back then, but Riley liked the light and movement.

2010

By this year Riley was 18 months old and had the most adorable indignation about the train. She chased it and yelling and gesturing. I think this was the year Grandpa let Isaac drive the train too. So much growing up that year.

2011

We took a year off from the trains for a trip to Ice & Snow! My amazing father-in-law invited us to an amazing adventure with snow, ice sculptures and ice slides! We had a blast. Isn't Roo's tiny (s)no(w)man adorable?

2012

By 2012 it was my turn to grow up or at least that's how it felt. This was the year they brought the polar express to our house. I put out appetizers in my Christmas apron, Mike made the grown ups chicken bryan and the kids wore jammies. It felt so grown up to host my in-laws. This was the first year Riley remembered the previous train night. We enjoyed Polar Express in 3D, talk about warm fuzzy memories! Isaac was a much...more careful engineer too.

2013

This was the year Isaac got his own train! Here's the story of Isaac's train, it's a good one. It was the second year in a row Roo informed me which pajamas she was saving for train night because by now it was an important event in her life. The train was beautiful all set up around our tree. I love the idea of all the happy childhood memories a passed down toy has already been a part of before we start making our own. Can you tell I cry after all the Toy Story movies?

2014

This year we were back at Grandpa's for train night. He remarked how Isaac has matured and is a lot more trustworthy on the train controls. I think Riley will be ready to try her hand by next year. On the flip side Isaac was far to cool to observe the traditional Hot Chocolate song dance break. What can you do? They just keep growing.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 27

Day 27: I'm grateful for traditions! Traditions like hosting Thanksgiving, the flowers Mike gives me every year for the centerpiece, Mike making a pumpkin pie from scratch every fall, playing board games with the kids while they're out of school, blasting Christmas/Disney/Broadway music while we finish the last of the pre-Thanksgiving cleaning, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with the kids and putting up the tree with just lights (and no other hints of Christmas) as a backdrop for our Thanksgiving table.

Riley has been talking about the wishbone for days so that may be a new one this year. I wonder what her little four year old heart is wishing for or if breaking a bone in half sounds fun? I especially love watching the parade with kids. It takes me back to when I lived in New York and worked for Santa at Macy's. It's extra special because Isaac and I watched it together before Riley was born. Watching the parade started before almost all of our other Thanksgiving traditions. I try to watch "Home for the Holidays" every year as it's the only Thanksgiving movie for adults I know of and a good one. I think the key is to have a couple you can draw from to give the holiday a little ceremony, but not so many you feel overwhelmed. So, enjoy whatever your traditions are on your list this week and tomorrow!

Christmas Light Looking

I LOVE Christmas lights! Some of my fondest memories of being a single gal in a big city are of driving through affluent neighborhoods (to get to or from work) at night and seeing all those gorgeous lights. Being lost is almost fun in December. Every year in early(ish) December we take the kids out to see the more impressive displays.

Unfortunately, a toddler was "helping" me carry my camera to the car so it never made it. Cell phone pictures don't do it justice, but a few turned out not-so-terrible. We hit the botanical gardens first. They have live performers and a suggested donation of $2 to walk through their lights. We went as soon as it got dark and hightailed out when the crowds started pouring in for the show.

Botanical Gardens

Candy Cane Lane

This is just a neighborhood in our area with a lot of Christmas spirit. They've decked out their yards since I was a kid. Ever since our first Christmas together we make it a point to go every year.