SO, this one time......
did you instantly finish that sentence with "at band camp"? Well, you would be wrong. Although I have the unique privilege of being someone who can actually say, "This one time, at band camp..." and I am proud of it. Yes, I was in the band. Not only was I in the band, but I was drum major for two years (for those that know-the drum majors are the ones that are conducting the band, not playing the drums). That's just a fun fact. This has absolutely nothing to do with what this post is about.
So, this other one time, at Christmas, we went to the North Pole. Seriously, we did. The obsession with going started about 2 years ago. I had seen the North Pole Experience ad on FB and liked their page and totally wanted to go. Well, this past year, the time was right. We decided that we wouldn't tell the kids for two reasons: 1. I didn't want them getting all excited at school just to have someone tell them that they were crazy for believing and 2. We have never really surprised them and I knew they would be so excited! We decided that our elf, Chippy, would bring them the surprise. He wrote them a letter telling them what they were about to do, brought them 2 new movies for the ride as well as some new Christmas jammies. Needless to say, they were super excited and were ready to load into the car and get the show on the road. So that's what we did. We loaded up and headed about 4 hours north to Flagstaff.
Once we arrived we checked into our hotel which was only about a 1/2 mile away from the Little America Hotel which is where the magical trolley departs to take you to the North Pole. Now, the entire way up there, I was arguing with myself about whether or not the kiddos were going to wear their jammies. I knew it would be cold so they would be wearing jackets so you wouldn't really see the jammies anyway, but they would look so cute...it was quite a battle going on in my head. Turns out the no jammies argument won and we all got dresses in our regular clothes. We had dinner at Cracker Barrel with a gorgeous, huge wood burning fireplace in the background and amazing windows that completely showcased the woods that sat on the other side of the highway. It was cozy. Turns out the kids don't care so much about cozy and were begging to go. So off we went. The drive into the hotel parking is nothing short of magnificent. There are countless trees lit with the most amazing, brightly colored Christmas lights. The kids were awestruck and we hadn't even gotten to Santa's workshop yet!
Once in the hotel the magical feeling continues once you enter into the lobby of Little America. There is another awesome fireplace with two perfectly decorated Christmas tress on either side with big puffy couches all over. We were about 45 minutes early so we spent some quality time in the gift shop as well as had a mini lesson in telling time so that the kids would stop asking when it was our turn. I have to admit that the majority of the kids were wearing jammies and a handful of adults were rocking the onesies. I was kicking myself at this point....
A little blurry, but proof that I was there.
Brody's faces crack me up.
On the trolley!
Finally the elf called our time and we were loading into the magic trolley (aka stylin travel bus). Once we were on the bus, the kids were flipping out! They were so excited! Once we were on the road, the elf was teaching us the all important chant that we had to sing in order for the magical portal to open and allow us through to get to Santa's workshop. After about 10 minutes, it's time to chant... lucky for us, we rocked it and the portal opened and suddenly we were at the North Pole!! I would be lying if I said that all four of us weren't excited;) Once off the bus, we all gather outside the front door. It was cold. Like 35* or something like that. So maybe that's not so cold for some of you, but when you grow up in southern Arizona.... anything below 50* and we are busting out the snow gear. I was secretly high fiving myself at this point since the jackets were necessary and you couldn't see any one's jammies. Once they open the doors, you find yourself in the Toy Maker's Hall of Fame which is a collection of new and old toys. Totally cool. In this room, we get to hear all of the rooms that we will be visiting as well as hear the rules. I'm pretty sure at this point we started melting and stripping off layers like onions. It got toasty.
Excuse the butts...I was trying to get a picture of the kiddos at the front door.
The elf asking if we were ready to go in. I was. I was cold.
Showing us their tickets. You get tickets before you get on and you can have all the elves sing it!
We got to visit all the rooms in the workshop. We went to the toy making room where the kids got to help an elf make a toy and then they got to have a Nerf gun fight with the elves!
Making a toy!
Jacket's gone....
Next we went into the wrapping room which was beautiful!From there, we visited Mrs. Claus' kitchen and had milk and hot cocoa then we went to Elf University, and finally got to go to the mail room where the kids were able to write a letter to Santa. After the letter was done, we got to wait in the sleigh room and see how Santa finds his way around the world. The best part is definitely saved for the end. Your family gets to visit with Santa alone! You can chat with him without all the pressure of having to hurry because a million families are giving you the stink eye. Tip: bring a ornament or book for Santa to sign. It will be with you forever!
Wrapping room
They were in awe
Hot cocoa and cookies anyone? Notice the scarf is gone now. It was hot.
These pictures are my favorite.... they are writing their letters to Santa. They used their best handwriting and thought and thought about what to write. Such innocence. Be still my heart.
The entire magical trip lasts about 2 hours. I am pretty sure that they were in awe the entire time and watching them experience this was priceless. I live for making memories and I am confidant that we made some for a lifetime this trip.
PS... my tip: don't wear a coat. And have the kids wear jammies. Just sayin.
So happy you're blogging again :) Loved it.
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