The Lee Family: The Polar Express

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Polar Express

Yesterday, Sofia's class took a field trip to the Polar Express in Grapevine. We'd ridden the Polar Express years before when Sofia was around 3, but hadn't been back and she has no memory of our excursion. Mr. Chreno, Alexa's Grandpa picked me up at the house and we drove over to the Grapevine Depot together. I left Olivia with a sitter since I thought it might be a bit too much to keep watch over her as well. We arrived and met the kids and then after a bit of a wait, we were ready to go. Sofia and her classmates wore their pajamas and were really excited! Each of us got our "golden ticket" and then we boarded the train. Sofia and I sat with her new friend Ava Grace and her Mom, Ali. Ava Grace recently moved from Ft Worth to Colleyville and started at CES and Sofia has been really sweet to always include her. Ava Grace is a really sweet little girl and it was great to meet her. After we got started, I walked around and took individual photos of each kid for a craft we're working on for the Holiday party. The plan is to put a photo of each kid on a snowflake, laminate it and hang it on the classroom door. Later, it will be given to the parents. While I walked around, Sofia asked to sit with Mrs. Schultz, who she absolutely adores. So, I sat by myself with Ali and Ava Grace for awhile until Sofia joined me again.

Then Santa arrived! He walked through the train car giving hugs and high fives and the kids were super excited. He also handed out candy canes before moving on to the next car. The kids loved it! Soon, we were back at the depot and got off the train to meet up as a class. Once Mrs. Schultz knew her class was all together, we said goodbye and Mr. Chreno and I left. The kids got on the bus back to school where they would enjoy hot cocoa with marshmallows and graham crackers after lunch. It was a really fun trip and the kids were great. Sofia really loved it.

I met Sofia after the bus dropped her off and she was SO excited because Santa had left each of the kids a letter in a bag made by Mrs. Claus. She said they didn't see Santa but when they returned to their classroom there was a big sack with letters for each kid in it! She was SO excited! Her letter talked about how much Santa loves horses too and that he watches the show "Horseland" also! We let Sofia and Olivia watch an episode or two of "Horseland" on occasion and it's their absolute favorite. She was thrilled and now "knows" that Santa is real! She read the letter to me, then to CK after he was home and reread it a few times that night and the next morning before school. So cute!

My little reindeer