December 23rd seems as good a day as any to go meet Santa on a steam locomotive. The adorable little train left from Hoorn to Medemblik, complete with old rail cars, where the jolly St Nick himself was handing out presents. It was even a gorgeous sunny day.
I was expecting some serious brownie points for this one, the way Hopper carries on about steam locomotives all day. The national rail ride out of Amsterdam Central proved almost the most fun as I think the anticipation of a locomotive is better than the real thing, his excitement splashing out in outbursts about what we could see from the windows and flashing me his most winning smiles. When we got there, I wheeled Hopper over to snap a quick photo before the whistle blew when the wind caught the steam and pushed it over him. Poor guy, he was yellin for mama to save him from the steam. Must've burst his little bubble something fierce.
From that point forward, there was some serious apprehension about actually being on the train as opposed to being able to watch it. He wasn't happy with our seat and was being fussy about drinking some juice. So that when Santa actually boarded the train, much to my excitement, Hopper just stared in amazement and distrust. Do right, I thought, probably best to regard strangers dressed in crazy outfits as the lunatics they are, but come on! Santa is the nicest man on Earth!
We hobbled out of the train with the stroller and ever-present bag and managed to get in line with the other kids and parents. Santa was a real gem (he even helped us load our stuff back onto the train) and I was pleased Hopper didn't cry (though insisted I hold him). He scored a cute tractor which of course made him very happy and as soon as we got back on the train he was all excited about Santa and his present was all he could talk about. He was so into the tractor that he had zero interest for the poffertjes (delicious buttery powdered sugar mini-pancakes) mama bought at the little Christmas village. More for mama then.
Here's something I've learned about toddlers at his age, sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality and the experience of something can be better enjoyed through the memory of it.
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| mama's smitten |
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| thanks to lovely woman who took photos for me |
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| no he doesn't want a book, he likes trucks please. thanks for asking Mrs Claus! |
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| Thanks Santa! |
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| meh (but that powdered sugar looks fantastic) |
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| our steam over the fields |
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| total admiration, just IN there |
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| he was more excited to sit here than in the actual rail car |
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