The Santa Express 2013

One of our avid and most anticipated Christmas traditions has to be the Santa Express. It is an event we have been taking Leo along too since he was 5 months old. This year was our third visit, and with each year we have gone along, Leo has become that little bit more animated and excited. 

This year I booked it in for Christmas Eve, I had been looking forward to it since the begining of November when I decided to get the tickets sorted. I couldn't think of a better way to kick start Christmas than taking a real trip on the Polar Express! I knew that the highlight of Leo's day would simply be chugging along on a steam train kitted out in tinsel, but for me I was excited for whole experience.

At 2 and a half years old Leo is now at an age where you can discuss where you are going and what you will be doing, so Leo was very excited on our trip to the train station when he realised that we would all be hopping on a 'choo!'. 

The car journey over to the station was full of chitter chatter about our impending train ride, and when we finally pulled up, Leo was skipping along holding my hand. He didn't even seem excited at the prospect of seeing Santa on this occasion, he was all abut the train. 

With one very excited toddler we boarded the Santa Express and found some seats where Leo could sit and stare contently out of the window while he clutched his magical train ticket. Everywhere I looked all I could spy were excited children who were off to see Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. The train conductor was walking up and down the carriage and telling everyone about the magical trip we were about to embark on. 

The funny thing about the North Pole is that each and every time we have visited over the last 3 years, there has been no snow. The conductor explained that due to global warming the North Pole has seen quite a dramatic reduction in the amount of snow that they actually see when they visit. Shocking.. But true. 

You would probably be suprised at just how quickly you reach the North Pole these days, but we go through one very long, very dark magical tunnel... and then you are there! An influx of passengers disembark the train and form an orderly line outside Santa's grotto, ready to see the main man himself. Leo was getting rather sleepy by this point, but we spurred him on and even managed to get a photo of the magical moment.  

We love our visits to the North Pole, they always serve up the tastiest of Mince Pies and with every visit it truly helps us slip into the Christmas Spirit. Leo even being one of the fussiest eaters I know will happily consume the North Pole Mince Pies...

Being on our magical adventure, one we have taken each year since Leo's very first Christmas always puts me in a reflective mood. I cannot help but look back and see just how far he has come, how much he has learnt and just simply marvel at all that he is. This whole adventure that really set out as one just to please me, is now something that Leo absolutely loves. It is something that all 3 of us can enjoy together, and it is set to stay that way for many Christmas's to come. 

You really can see a difference over the years we have been visiting, just look at how grown up Leo now looks in comparison to his first visit.

The Polar Express

On the run up to the festive period I have certainly indulged, I mean… it would be rude not to! Right!?

To set the scene and get into the festive mood, Leo and I have sat together and taken in Christmas films for the very first time. Granted he soon got ants in his pants but it was the perfect moment for those minutes that he was engrossed in the film.

One of my all time favourite Christmas movies is The Polar Express, and Warner Bros. very kindly sent us a copy on Blu Ray along with a whole stocking full of treats (not to mention The Dark Knight Rises and New Years Eve on Blu Ray too!)

So one evening on the run up to Christmas when Leo was tucked up in bed, I enlightened Luke and put on the Polar Express for my non believer! As expected Luke was not a fan, Scrooge seems to have stood firmly inside of him…But I enjoyed it just as much as I had done the very first time I had watched it. The next morning when Leo awoke and we looked outside to see the rain falling, yet again! I snuggled up on the sofa with my little man and I watched it for the second time in as many hours.

Leo soon became engrossed in the animation, and although he is too young to follow the story line he enjoyed it all the same.

For those of you who have not seen The Polar Express, firstly…Why on earth not!? Secondly Why, why, why!? The Polar Express is a magical film that rekindles the believer in old and young alike.

Late on Christmas Eve night a young boy lies awake in bed hoping to hear Santa’s sleigh bells so that he can re-confirm his belief in Christmas, and in Santa. Instead of sleigh bells though a loud steam engines whistle sequels outside his bedroom window.

The boy runs outside to see what all the commotion is about and is soon greeted by the train conductor (Tom Hanks) who invites him on board the magical train that is headed directly to the North Pole.

During the magical train ride the young boy fathoms whether he is dreaming, he ponders whether the magic of Christmas exists and is verging towards non believer, despite him wanting to desperately believe.

The journey to the North Pole takes the boy on the most magical adventure of his life and opens up a door of self discovery to life lessons that can be applied to each and every single one of us ‘the wonders of life never fade for those of us who truly believe’.

The very first time I watched this film was around the time it was released on DVD back in 2004, and I remember falling in love with the story then and there. It is one of those films that I could watch year after year and I still adore the story as much now as I did back then.

By the end of the movie I get those all familiar butterfly’s in my stomach, the good kind that make you feel excited and despite being a grown up lady with a child of her own, I love that I can still get excited by the magic of Christmas.

Next year when Leo and I sit down to watch it I know he is going to interact with it on a much higher level than he did this year. But we will be getting ourselves a hot chocolate and snuggling up together to watch this classic film again year after year.

You can purchase your own copy of The Polar Express on Blu Ray for £8.00 from Amazon.

Disclaimer: I was sent the Polar Express for the purpose of this feature however all views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.