Who needs a Sleigh when you have a choo-choo train?

Another year.  Another Christmas.  Another ride on the Walkersville Santa Train.   The anticipation builds each year as the kids look forward to seeing Santa.  Nathan was so excited - he didn't know which was better - seeing Santa or riding on a train!!!

 

 

The man of the hour has arrived!  He sits down with each of the kids and talks at length with them.  I love how much attention they get from him.  And honestly, he is the real Santa!

 Nathan wants a firetruck- of course.  It is the year of the firetruck after all.   Kate wants an American Girl Doll, or a SnugglePuppet Blanket, or a camera, or a.... you get the idea.

 As we are leaving the train, Santa is waiting at the bottom of the platform waving good-bye to all the good boys and girls.  When Kate gives him a high-five, and yells over her shoulder,
"Bye Santa, I'll see you at the mall!"

Santa Train

Last year my sister-in-law, Debbie, introduced us to the Santa Train.  It's an older train in Walkersville, MD, that does about an hour long ride (very slow moving I might add).  The kids love being on a train, and this train ride is even more exciting because Santa makes a grand appearance. 

 

We were so impressed with how personable Santa was last year; he spent a good amount of time talking to each of kids.  It was a highlight last Christmas, so we decided to go back again this year. 

                      

Here the kids are eagerly awaiting Santa's arrival! And I must say, Santa did not disappoint.  I really love this Santa.  Kate told me today that a "fake" Santa came to her school.  I asked her how she knew he was fake?  She said because the real Santa was on the train, Mommy!"

Here is Santa trying to explain the intricacies of getting a rocking horse down a chimney.  Daddy had to remind Santa that we didn't have a chimney.  This news made Santa very happy, as he explained it is much easier when he gets to use the front door. 

Of course, it was a lot of fun to just go on a train ride too.  Nathan was more interested in the trees going by than he was in Santa.  I hope the kids remember these things when they get older.  Christmas is really magical when the kids are little.