Our first (and possibly only) trip to the North Pole

The Polar Express train ride started out reasonably well.

Children were wild with anticipation.

Everyone enjoyed reading along as the original story was recited.

Some (ok, me) were less than enthusiastic due to a sinus headache and what I call "The Sudafed Fog."

But it was truly wonderful to see the kids' faces light up when we reached the North Pole, and even more so when Santa walked into our car. Every child got one-on-one time with him and every child got a special bell. It was great.
Some of us (ok, me again) got cranky on the way back when carols turned into yelling matches and when one five-year-old boy decided he had to pee. (Note: H had gone to the bathroom at the station before we left, but after too much hot chocolate on the train, he had to go again. NO bathrooms on the train. Seriously. One of the elves told us he would be happy to show H a place where he could pee off the back of the train. The elf also suggested a plastic cup. My shy boy was having none of that, but somehow my father-in-law convinced him to pee outside in a trash can or something. Really, I think nature took over and he realized he was out of options.)

Then things really took an interesting turn when one passenger decided that drinking vodka out of a clear plastic flask would help her get in the Christmas spirit. Really.

(video removed)

This was just one tiny portion of her performance. She went on and on and on, ending with a "Murrry Chrishhmas" greeting. (We don't think she came with kids, but her female friends were beyond mortified at her behavior.)

A few obvious questions arise from this incident: Why would grown women come on a Polar Express train ride without any kids? And why would one of these women decide that bringing vodka on a train full of children was a sound idea? And getting drunk at 6 pm... on a Monday? Really? Lastly, as my husband eloquently put, "A plastic flask? Come on. If you're going to be a lush, at least go for something in stainless steel."