the real life Polar Express.

I kept my kids home from school all last week. All of them. Because there was a puke bug going around our house and we could not afford to be sick over the weekend, no siree.

They all took turns throwing up, and then Joey woke up with a pink eye {heavens to betsy}. So they stayed home. All week long.

Friday came...no pukes...no pink eyes...halelujah. We drove the kids to Bryson City, NC to ride a real live Polar Express.

First we stopped in Dillsboro, NC for their lighting festivities downtown. It was still light out when we got there and we didn't see any sign of such festivities. Just an old, tiny street. I told Conan he'd been HAD, there's nothing in Dillsboro; so we drove to Sylva and ate pizza. After we ate we drove to Bryson City to catch our train and passed back through Dillsboro again. This time in the dark.

Oh. My. Goodness. Christmas heaven. Every building was in lights, there were luminaries lining the streets, a line at the tiny Town Hall to get pictures with Santa, the sound of kids singing carols in the distance. I squealed.

We found the carolers in front of the Chocolate Factory, along with a crowd of proud parents with little boys playing football in the luminary filled street. Every cute little shop had treats or hot chocolate in front for you to enjoy. And the lights were beautiful.

We found the best Christmas Shop ever and let each of the kids pick out an ornament. Kacie picked a pink doughnut, Joey a green robot, Andy a sparkly green pinecone, Jake a skateboarder, and Dani picked a very cool retro looking red reindeer; excellent choice.

Then we were off to wait in the cold for the Polar Express...

Dad passing out the precious golden tickets:

When it finally came we all piled on, took in our surroundings...

and then took our cold clothes off:

Then of course came the HOT CHOC-O-LAT:

The Conducter came to punch our tickets

just as they turned off all the lights so we could see

the North Pole out our windows:

{Joey was a little disappointed the conducter didn't do a speedy punch with a fancy word in his ticket. He said emphatically, "Dad, my ticket doesn't say nothing."}

After showing us where Santa and Frosty live,

where they make the hot chocolate,

and where the elves go to church,

Santa came on board to greet each of the kids

and give them a Christmas bell:

Kacie watched him very closely, and after planting herself firmly

in the farthest seat from the man, she said "Mom, I don't want that snowman."

Once I explained she could ask him for a Barbie for Christmas,

she smiled and warmed up to the red suit.

All in all, it was fantastic.

However, I think Conan and I hyped it up so much like it was the real Polar Express that the boys were a little disappointed. Jake asked when we were going down Glacier Gulch. He was shocked the train only went in a straight line back and forth. Andy was not just disappointed, but a little mad we didn't actually go to the North Pole. He told me later "Mom, I hope you know that wasn't the real North Pole at all. I just wanted you to know because you believe easy stuff.

But I know it wasn't, because it wasn't even icy."

You can't compete with movies. Real life just isn't as exciting.

But at least it's still magical.