On Saturday we (Morgan, my mom (AKA Grandma, and I) went up to Virginia City to ride the Santa Christmas Lights train. The train was advertised to be a special train ride with "Father Christmas (it's Virginia City so they try to keep it old school), however it was a tad bit different. After purchasing our tickets we waited for the train to arrive during that time they offered hot chocolate and candy canes (i.e. sticky and stickier). Morgan was thrilled to have her own coffee cup of hot chocolate and quite liked the fact that you could add marshmallows. The candy cane was less impressive, she said it tasted weird and because she had gloves on it got glove fluff all over it after one lick.
We only had to wait about 15 minutes and the train arrived. It is funny to watch little kids get excited over simple things - in this case the train horn. They heard it coming down the tracks and everyone jumped to line up. Morgan too was very concerned about being in line; I came to discover it is because she thought this was like many other lines where you may have a ticket, but you might not get on this round of the trip. Once she understood that everyone with a ticket would get to ride this time she relaxed a bit.
The train was decorated with lights and some toys inside. The conducter and other train staff were Santas helper elves and on board was Mrs. Claus with Jimmy the elf. I was disappointed that Santa did not make an appearance on the train, but she did not seem to mind. She liked the experience of riding on a train, going through the one long dark tunnel, and of course, traveling with her hot chocolate beverage (to be featured later as a stain (or stains) on her jeans.
After our train ride (about 45 minutes later) we drove from the train station up to the main street area of VC. Our first stop was the "Forever Christmas" store. They are open all year and mainly carry tree ornaments. Morgan was able to pick out her 2008 ornament (and so was mommy). She ended up choosing a very pretty ballerina ornament, complete with a little sparkle. She has decided the ornament should get premier standing this year and sit at the top of the tree. *this picture hi-lights the hot chocolate that escaped the cup and spilled on her pants while riding on the train, luckily I had napkins - thank goodness for the abyss that is my purse*
Outside of the ornament store was an old mechanical ride on toy, this one is Rudolph the Reindeer and only costs a quarter per ride. Morgan sat on the reindeer, we inserted the quarter.... and then.....
It started up with this rough fast shaking motion and her face immediately switched from excited anticipation to a look of "holy crap". Really no other term explains it. I could not help but laugh (I know, bad mommy), but it was sooooo funny (again, bad mommy). Had I faster reflexes I would have switched my camera to video mode. Grandma helped her off the reindeer. I think she would have jumped off had she not been holding on for dear life.
After the reindeer incident we continued our journey down the wooden walk way to look in various stores, one of which was Grandma's Fudge Factory. She originally wanted fudge but as it turns out you have to buy at minimum one-half pound and that = WAY too much fudge for one little person! Plan B was chocolate covered marshmallows on a stick. She loved it and I got a killer idea for more homemade treats (act surprised if you ever receive such a gift).
We were going to stay to watch the parade but it did not begin until 5 p.m. and although we tried our best, at around 4:30 it was just too cold to stay and tantrum Morgan was about to hit. We had a good couple of hours overall. The picture below was taken for fun.....however, later on the scrooge bench would have been quite appropriate. It seems the day was a little too long without enough rest for Ms. Morgan. Let me say the car ride home was AWESOME. ha ha ha Luckily she returned to a pleasant state about an hour later, she was even able to go out to dinner, and Mommy was thankful for that.
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