This last weekend, we boarded Mt. Hood Railroad's Polar Express Train.  It was a fun kick-off to the Christmas season.  As we sipped on cocoa and ate cookies, the train made it's way to the North Pole and back.  Mid-way, Santa boarded the train and made his way around to all the tables to talk to all the kids and to give each of them a silver bell.  In the book and movie The Polar Express, a boy is given a sleigh bell off Santa's sleigh--a bell that can only be heard by those who believe in Santa.  We all really enjoyed this trip.  It wasn't just seeing Santa, noshing on treats, or singing carols--it was everything together that  created that wonderful feeling of the Christmas spirit.  I don't know at what age kids begin to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, but at least for now, these three truly believe they traveled to the North Pole and that is something magical.