A Christmastime Excursion

Today we went on a family day trip.  We took the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's "A Christmastime Excursion".  The trip started by traveling by train from Rockside to Akron (a little over an hour).  They were very excited to ride a train, and then get to walk through the cars to the snack car and buy popcorn!

  

A conductor also came through the train and showed the girls some animal pelts from Cuyahoga Forest (which the railroad rides through) -- a beaver and a fox.  Hailey wouldn't touch them. 

We passed a small local ski hill (Boston Mill), where they were making snow.  Both girls thought that was neat. During our trip we met Mr. Jingeling  - he is Santa's Key Keeper.  His most important key is to the Toy Warehouse!  He gave the girls paper keys to keep.  Then we stopped in Akron and took a trolley to the Lock 3 area - a small German Village with crafts was set up, along with ice skating and sledding.  We walked downtown and got a bite to eat at Prima Deli's - really more like a Pub than a deli but very good! (for our GCC friends: I think it's Akron University's Rachel's, only bigger!)  After we ate we wandered some craft booths for a bit and the kids made a gingerbread craft ornament.  Then Justin and Ray took the girls sledding on an astroturf sledding hill several times- it was very cool and the girls LOVED it. (especially since we still have no real snow to sled on!) 

They both also want to learn to ice skate, but I think we will try a local rink first with a kids' time before we try a crowded outdoor rink.  We then took the trolley back to the train station and rode back to Rockside.  During our trip back Santa stopped by and passed out candy canes.  Haha and then it happened, Kaelin said, "That Santa is wearing a wig! He has brown hair!".  So Kaelin and I had a little chat about Santa being very busy and needing helpers this time of year, kind of like substitute teachers at school.  

Side note: She recently she learned the difference between fiction and non fiction (I do not remember learning that at 5!).  She has stated several times that Rudolph is fiction...but she hasn't put together the Santa link and that he is fiction too. I have a feeling there will not be many more Santa Christmas' for Kaelin and of course due to her nature, :) Hailey will not be far behind. I don't mind at all, because he isn't the center of our Christmas, Christ is. However, they do receive stockings and one or two gifts for Santa....when the belief is gone I think I will miss simple fun of it.  

Excited for Santa's arrival

 Trying to be patient

 Success! 

 Such a good boy. Logan slept most of the trip, woke to eat and play a bit, but was very content!

 Almost to our final stop.  Getting a little antsy, so the girls started wrestling a bit. 

Uncle Ray joined in by flicking Hailey.

 Pure Fun

 Picture with one of the conductors

 On the platform

The Railway also runs a Polar Express trip (you wear your pjs and get hot cocoa), however the tickets were double the cost for only 2 hours of fun (compared to our 6). We may splurge next year, as our kids just learned the story and watched the movie this week and LOVED it....however this year I just wanted to see how a train ride would go.  We did however take a picture by the HUGE Polar Express poster.

The day was a bit chilly - High of 37.  I did plan ahead though, and everyone was wearing 2-3 layers! Poor Logan was probably sweating in his layers :).  

Overall it was a wonderful day. I am so glad we planned for this added Christmas excursion this year! The joy on the kids' faces and the time spend relaxed and together as a family was priceless.  I wish all days could be like this one.