On Friday, August 31, late in the afternoon we finally got to go to the Strasburg Railroad with our friends Lisa & Isabella while the daddies stayed home with the babies. The kids had their free tickets from the summer reading program, so we just had to pay for the adults. We had planned going at least three times before that and postponed due to rain twice that I remember and due to the railroad's odd schedule the other.
Lisa took time off work and Shawn left early so that we could get to the railroad in time for the last train, which was at 4 pm. It was a HOT day! While the morning had been beautiful, the afternoon was humid and sweltering. We arrived a little early, looking forward to doing the "cranky cars" (where you pay extra money for the kids to take the little cars around the track that they maneuver by turning the 'cranks'). But, the cranky cars weren't there. Neither was the other little train you normally could ride or really ANYTHING else. The place was completely torn apart and under construction. While we still would have gone because we had the free tickets, I thought it was a little rude of the railroad not to put this fact on its website since we got there in plenty of time to walk around and then had to entertain three kiddos who were excited to do some of the "extras." We found this little Thomas that cost money to ride. The three kids played on it for a little while without us filling it up with coins.
But then, Joshua shouted "LOOK! It's SANTA!" At first, I wasn't sure if this was just an older gentleman with bad taste in clothes, so I gave Joshua the look to be a little more quiet. BUT, it really was Santa! He came over with his sack and posed for a picture with the kids and gave them each a candy cane. Then he told the kids to come back and see him at the Railroad in November or December. I was surprised he would be there - after all, this wasn't Christmas in July! This was the last day of August!
Isabella actually looked worried at this point. She asked her mommy why Santa was there. Lisa joked with her that if she didn't behave, Lisa was going to tell him about it. Isabella said, "Don't call him over here! I don't want him to know that I've been bad!" I seriously cracked up!!! She was genuinely concerned that Santa might find out that she's been 'naughty.' Lisa told me that Isabella recently told her grandparents (Lisa's Mom and Dad) that they might have to buy her extra for Christmas this year because she's been bad and wasn't sure that Santa would still buy her things. Haaaa!!!! How cute is that?!?! And knowing her parents, I'm sure she has absolutely nothing to worry about. I got a good chuckle out of the entire situation. She was so cute! I think having Santa there made her sweat worse than the humid weather!
FINALLY it was time to board the train. We took a couple pictures of the kids on the stairs with their candy canes. It was No. 90 that pulled our train this time.
We took some pictures on the train, too.
Isabella took turns sitting with Caleb and Joshua. I loved their silly faces and serious faces.
The train goes to Paradise and back. The conductor drones on about the local attractions and since we'd been on the train previously, we'd heard it all before. The kids enjoy the train, though, so it was worth going and spending quality time together.
This was the last silly picture I snapped on the train. :)
After the ride was finished, we bid Santa farewell until winter and we headed home!
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