I do love hearing about Elf on the Shelf ideas and how families use the little fella to remind their kids to behave around the holidays. In fact, that's pretty much how our family runs, except I'm an oversized, less patient and slightly more grumpy elf than the one in the books. Instead of gently reminding the kids to act appropriately while having a little fun in the process, I usually threaten and bribe them. If you clean your room, you'll get to go to Eli's house. If you get good grades, you'll keep your Wii privileges. If you stay in your bed all night, you'll get a sticker. If you act appropriately at the store, I won't lock in a closet when we get home...I'm just kidding!
I'm always trying to get my kids to remember the real reason for Christmas and a variation of the traditional elf on the shelf idea came to mind. Instead of having our little elf remind the kids to behave, Bernice is visiting our house in search of a gift. She's up to a little mischief while in town, but I hope this will be another way to help the kids remember the meaning of Christmas. And knowing how much my kids love to dress (and undress) baby dolls, I chose to buy an elf that is plush and has a change of clothes...including a tutu!
She showed up yesterday morning and as expected, the kids are very interested in seeing what Bernice is hunting...wonder how long before they figure it out!
Yesterday, shortly after Bernice showed up, we had to head out because we had a breakfast date with Santa!
Check out these tutu beauties!
Face painting!
Chit chat and a photo opp with Santa!
Carriage ride!
One of the things the kids enjoyed while at the Breakfast with Santa event was decorating ornaments. I didn't even consider that a salt and flour mixture would be appealing to a dog. Not long after getting home and hanging them on the tree, we noticed Keely had just pulled off Adri's ornament and devoured it...including the yarn that we used to hang it! I moved the other two a little higher and she spent her afternoon laying by the tree next to a pool of drool, whining about how badly she wanted the others!
Last night, she spent the evening doing this! I usually feel like that, too, after I eat something I'm not supposed to eat! The kids felt sorry for her and put out a blanket. Thanks kids...if she throws up, I'd really like her to do it on the quilt from Mamaw Judy.
Adri loves our sweet Bernice. She decided to sleep with her last night...at least until Bernice snuck out and found her way to the refrigerator because it reminded her of home. She still hasn't found that special gift!
I love Christmas! I love the baking, fellowship, decorations, driving around town at night to see the Christmas lights, the way the living room looks at night when only the tree is on, the anticipation of the kids when they see presents start to accumulate under the tree and the looks on the faces of friends and family when they open up gifts that you've so perfectly chosen for them. More than anything, I love two weeks at home, mostly in our jammies, with my lovely family of 5 doing nothing but napping, eating leftovers, watching movies, going for drives and not being confined to our normal routine. Yes, I believe December is my favorite time of year!
Merry Christmas, friends!
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