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Hop Onboard the POLAR EXPRESS tonight .....

By Lisa Ryan

Real Estate Agent with Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty

December 24, 2007 12:25 PM

In Montgomery, NJ

In just a few hours my family will be participating in one of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions, the reading of the Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

Quite a few years ago I purchased a wonderful gift edition of the Polar Express that includes the book, with all the magnificent illustrations, a cassette tape with John Hurt as the narrator, and most importantly, the silver bell. For those of you who know and love the Polar Express as much as my family and I do, you will know the significance of the silver bell.

We usually sit down together for the reading shortly before we leave for midnight Mass.

First we listen to the taped story, wonderfully told by John Hurt. We take turns ringing the silver bell. For the second go round, either my husband or I take turns reading, unfortunately not as well as John Hurt, but the kids don't seem to mind. After many years of this tradition I can't even remember why we do it twice, we just do.

I hope our family tradition continues for many, many years, into the next generation. The Polar Express is one of the best Christmas stories I've ever read and "though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe."

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Lisa Ryan and Prudential NJ Properties. Lisa Ryan and Prudential NJ Properties are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

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Are you or is anyone you know considering a move? It would be my pleasure to help you with your real estate needs.

Serving Princeton Boro, Princeton Township, West Windsor, Montgomery Township, Hillsborough, Hopewell Township, Bridgewater, Lawrenceville, Franklin Township, East Windsor, Kingston, and parts of Middlesex County.

Lisa Ryan, REALTOR®

138 Nassau Street, Princeton NJ 08542

908.420.5706 (C) 609.430.1288 ext.554 (O)

http://www.lisaryanrealtornj.com/

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Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Lisa.... I have never read the Polar Express nor saw the movie. In any case, sounds like a great tradition. Thanks for sharing this and happy holidays to you and your family.

Dec 24, 2007 12:40 PM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

I love Polar Express, both the book and the movie, although if you are a longtime fan of the book, you may not like the movie as much. I discovered them both in the same year. Have a very merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 2007 12:41 PM

Adam Waldman

Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY

Realtor - Long Island

LISA - This sounds like a great tradition. What a great family bonding moment. I hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

Dec 24, 2007 10:43 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Lisa, I've never read it, either. It must be wonderful if it's your special tradition. I have tried hard with my children to keep some traditions in the family and create a few new ones. Happy Holidays!

Dec 25, 2007 08:53 AM

Andrew Monaghan

The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ

CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

My family actually goes on the polar express every year, it is a train ride out of Williams Arizona (near flagstaff and the train line to the grand canyon). We go up the day of the ride and stay over night, my children love to play in the show and enjoy the cold. the train ride is about a hour and a half in total~ the story is read by the conductor over the loudspeakers, hot chocolate and cookies are served, santa gets on the train at the north pole and gives the bells to all the children.

It is our family tradition and my kids love it.

Happy Christmas.

here is the link to the site

Http://www.thetrain.com/polarexpress

Dec 25, 2007 12:29 PM

Lisa Ryan

Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty - Montgomery, NJ

Selling Princeton,West Windsor and Montgomery Town

Jeff~ It's really a beautiful book, I bet your nieces and nephews would love it too. Hope your holiday was warm and happy.

Jason~ we also saw the movie which was OK, not great. I bet your Christmas was merry and Noisy and lot's of fun!!

Adam~ As a parent it feels great when the kids still look forward to and ask for certain family traditions.

Carole~ I think as moms we try hard to keep certain family traditions going strong.

Andrew~ I would love that train ride myself, what a great idea!! Thanks for the link. Hope that your Christmas was warm and merry too!

Dec 26, 2007 01:19 AM

Hop Onboard the POLAR EXPRESS tonight .....

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