The Minivan Express & A visit to see Santa

Full of vibrant, beautiful illustrations, the classic children’s Christmas book,

The Polar Express has always been a family favorite. 

Here’s the Sanchez spin on the book…

I’d been out Christmas shopping most of the day, leaving the kids at home with Saul.  We’d been planning to have this special night, and surprise the kids with a new family tradition.  I made up these Minivan Express Tickets, and placed one on each of the kids’ bed.  They thought they were going to get ready for bed, but instead found these tickets! 

I made up a huge batch of cinnamon popcorn, and threw some goodies into bags.  Then I mixed up some mugs of hot cocoa for each of them too.

Once their tickets were punched, they loaded into the Minivan Express!  Sipping on the cocoa, and nibbling the popcorn, we drove around to look at Christmas lights, and then headed off to see the Big Man,

 ol’ Santa himself!

Tickets punched, hot cocoa in hand, and ready to board the Minivan Express!

The kids thought it was strange to be at the mall in PJ’s!

Isaac: Legos 

 Nate: Light Sabre 

Elaina: Hello Kitty 

Olivia: (as suggested by the others) a Doll

We will definitely add this to our Christmas traditions!