Back in September someone at book club mentioned Santa and Polar Express train rides in the area. A few web searches and phone calls later had me realizing that if we wanted to participate in such a program we had to sign up immediately because they are all run through area park districts and fill up at the fall program registration. Our village doesn't sponsor one of these events so we picked the one in Burr Ridge. I sent out an email to a bunch of friends and got a group of nine families to sign up together. After three long months of waiting, the big day finally arrived on December 16th. We boarded a Metra train in Hinsdale which took us to the Walter Payton Roundhouse in Aurora, AKA the North Pole. Santa greeted us a directed us to "his house" where we took pictures with him, ate brunch, did a craft and enjoyed a magic show. The kids were so excited to ride a train "like the one that daddy takes to work" (even though he only rides it when visiting clients in the city, we almost always walk or drive to pick him up).
Waiting on the train platform.
Our train was running late so we got to watch several others go by up close.
On the train on the way there.
Exploring the upper level of the train car.
They gave us packets including pictures to color, crayons and the Polar Express story to read on the way there.
Our attempt to take a family photo with Santa (as taken from the side by a friend).
James was happy to give Santa a high-five when we got off the train, but sitting close to him was another story.
Baby Desi, however, had no fear of the bearded man.
Eating lollipops on the way home.
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