Thanks to Areum we were given the opportunity to apply for a trip on the Polar Express! This wasn't just any polar express you hear about taking place here and there around Il and the country. It was a polar express for ill children and their families. Read about this non-profit org and see pics of our boys here:
http://operationnorthpole.org/Wordpress/
Can I just say...it was UNBELIEVABLE! This day goes down in memorable history for us. I told them what we were doing right before we entered the doors!
G n T literally jumped up and down with excitement. They had no idea we were about to partake in their dream come true!
Upon entry we were greeted by so many volunteers, firefighters and santa helpers. The event began in a cafeteria like atmosphere.We were treated to coffee, eggs, bacon, sg, pancakes and juice. Ronald McDonald told stories and sang songs to the kids. After we ate Mrs. Claus arrived to share the agenda for the day and sing carols with the kiddies. She let us know how excited Santa was to meet us all!
Photographers and tv cameras surrounded the day. There were more volunteers than families! We even had the chance to chat it up w some other families going through similar times as us. To be taken care of all day by people who understood us was beyond describable. To have so many people take time out from their own lives, own families and cater to us from 8 am to 5 pm, especially firefighters who had just ended their night shifts. Instead of going home to their families they spent their time w us. All around us was a sea of givers. SO AMAZING! I cannot tell you how many times I cried quietly to myself or had to hold back the tears. Every little detail was thought of and executed.
We went from breakfast to the reindeer coach buses to the Metra station at downtown Des Plaines. The kids could not wait to get on the train. We had never been a train as a family before and it was clear the kids were jumping out of their skin! T knew as soon as it pulled up that is was not the REAL Polar Express but "it was okay" bc he would "still have fun w his family". Two or more train cars were set aside for us passengers. Each car was decorated in xmas spirits. We were handed goodies of all sorts along the ride to Harvard, Il. Stockings stuffed w books, candies, coloring pages, plenty of other items to keep the kids busy. We sang carols, met the conductor (dressed like the one from the movie) who punched our tickets w flare, and even ate Mcds on the train! It was one crazy train ride!
On our way back to the Des Plaines station there were more surprises. At almost each stop along the way (even tho we had our own train cars, the train still held to its usual schedule) we were joined by that town's fire department, trucks and helicopters, all lit up and lined up. They waved and hollered to us, holding signs that read NORTH POLE THIS WAY! What a sight! What organization!
As we entered the DP station Santa met us as we came off the train. We boarded the coach buses and again and headed back to the same union hall we began our day at. But this time it was different. As each family unloaded from the buses we entered the building like royalty. Volunteers and firefighters lined the pathway, kneeling to us. Like we were the special ones!They directed us into the same building that was now transformed into the most beautiful winter wonderland. No child would have guessed it was the same room we ate a breakfast buffet in 4 hours ago! They clapped and cheered for US. Us?!
The "new place" was now setup for crafts and activities of all sorts.
Magic tricks from
http://www.openheartmagic.org/ which G n T loved! G still talks about how he made the rabbits disappear and have lots and lots of babies!
Build your own ice cream sundae station, decorate your own cookie like a melted snowman, tattoos and airbrushings, a photo booth, hundreds of cake pops (very popular in my tummy), music and dancing.
This one young lady fell in love w G and kept taking him all around to the festivities. I was THAT comfortable to allow it to happen. Everyone around us made us feel that comfy, that safe. I really don't know how to explain how much that aspect of these "cancer-related events" calms us. We are at an arm's reach of medical assistance and safety when we need it. Soothes this mama's heart. I can actually breathe in public and not be so on edge all the time. We weren't the only parents w those same fears and emotions running through us.
HAPPY
JOY
Each time the train stopped he would ask if it was still gonna keep going. He just did not want it to end!
They thought it was so cool to face each other.
Triston and Mrs Claus chatting it up.
G blowing on the handkerchief to make it disappear.
Firefighter Ed was in our train car and so kind to us. The boys really took to him. He shared that he has 4 kids of his own. I was sure to thank him for devoting his day to our family!
Showing off their tattoos!
And then the time
The day ended with your family name being called to visit w Santa. Charito and I could not believe the room Santa was found in. It was like we walked right into his living room in the North Pole! No sign of bare tile floors and beige walls. There was carpet, a fireplace, a huge comfy chair to climb up into w him and the wonder and awe of Santa all around. Behind him was a tree full of presents. At first glance I thought there were still so many families that were waiting there turn to see Santa. It was not until we finished up our visit w him that the loot I layed my eyes upon earlier was all for our boys. 7 garbage sized bags labeled w the Operation North Pole logo, tagged w each boys' name on them were then loaded into our car. I knew wish lists were requested back in Sept/Oct but this was insane! I received many memos reminding us to think big for these wish lists, REALLY BIG. It was stressed! These demands came at a time I hadn't even begun to think of xmas lists of any sort. Charito and I racked our brains for ideas bc in all reality our kids don't need anything. But, again, it was stressed that THIS IS what ONP strives to do for families of the ill. To relieve the stress of finances, stores, etc. We submitted a list for a DS for Triston and a LeapPad for Grayson and a Thomas Megablocks set for Caden. Those were their number one items and then I still had to fill in 4 additional lines for each child. I just wrote in things like Thomas anything or trains anything bc seriously they would be happy to receive a book for goodness sakes. We were even told that if they felt our lists were not grand enough they would be returned to be filled out again. You should have seen the packet I had to complete just to be a part of this amazing day-media consents up the whazoo and info and pictures of the kiddos. And it wasn't just for the hay of things you know. Even while we ate our breakfast volunteers approached us, chatted with us and clearly recalled the tidbits of info I shared w them on paper. They took the time to get to know the kids on paper and put their kindness into effect in person. It was all part of the masterfully crafted day, every little detail. T noticed these details and asked me once in a while how they knew this or that....I simply reminded him they were Santa's helpers, of course they know it all. It was details like this that made the day special for Charito and I, too. Seeing the belief more so than before in Triston's eyes. This was his year for Santa. ONP did that for him!
The gifts were exciting for the kids of course. Even Caden had a blast. Watching them end their big day like that was the not-so-necessary-sprinkles-of-the-cupcake for Charito and I. We received all we needed all day long. But giving gifts IS what Santa does best and boy did they make out! And you know what was even better? If we came across a gift that we already owned (bc ONP went above and beyond our wish list) Triston would place it in a separate pile and tell me a child in the hospital would like it. How awesome is my guy?! He didn't get all selfish and spoiled over the mass of items resembling a toy factory in my living room. I love my kids! ONP was a day to remember for sure!
