Polar Express

We do a lot of work with the Knoxville Dream Center. They called us the other day and asked if we would like to go into some of the schools here in Knox County and read The Polar Express to the kids.  Of course we would!

So, this past week, that is exactly what we have been doing.  We will do it next week as well.  We take the Book Mobile with us, and the inside is decorated like the inside of a train car.  We have little red chairs lined up for the kids to sit in.  All of us are dressed very "Christmasy" and we also have a conductor and two engineers to power the train!  

After the kids are seated, we pass out hot chocolate with marshmallows.  Then, after closing the door and the conductor yelling "All Aboard", we are off!  We read a shortened version of The Polar Express while showing pictures from the book.  When we are finished, the kids file out, get a candy cane and a bell, as we all wave good bye to them.  Another successful run to the North Pole!

One little boy told his teacher yesterday that this was "the best day of my life!"  That may be true, but for me it was just as true.  We went to the school where I did my first two years of teaching, so I was a tad teary eyed as the first graders filed onto the "train car."  My favorite class was First Grade when I taught at this school.  I was the music teacher so I taught all eight grades.  (No junior high back then.)

Last night, Tommy, John boy and I decided to watch The Polar Express.  We did it complete with our p.j's.,  (the kids and teachers wore their p.j's. to the reading) hot chocolate , (the real thing..none of this package stuff!) and each of us had our own bell to ring at appropriate times. 

Sound crazy for people who are all over the age of 50?  I don't think so.  Especially to those of us who truly believe. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

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