#13 Things that lift me up

Elf on a Shelf

Whoever invented Elf on a Shelf is a genius! We received this gift last year for Christmas. However, it wasn't until this Christmas we realized his full potential.


As we unpacked the boxes of Christmas decorations, I found the elf and his book "Elf on a Shelf". I pulled him out, sat him on the mantle above the fireplace and showed him to the boys. We then sat down on the couch and read about our new friend.


He came to our family to watch over us during the Christmas season. Each day he sits somewhere in the house and watches our behavior and at night while we are all asleep, he flys to the North Pole and reports to Santa. When he returns from the North Pole he will find a new place to sit and watch us. It is our job to find his new location every morning. We can talk to the Elf but he cannot talk back and we CANNOT touch him because he would lose his magic.

As we finished the book I heard Micah gasp and say, "He's gone". I looked up and saw that the elf was no longer on the mantle. I was a little shocked myself. After searching a few minutes, we found him perched on the living room curtain rod. The boys were amazed. MAGIC!!! We went about the task of decorating for the house for Christmas. Every once in awhile we would look and find that the elf had flown to another spot in the house. Micah thought it was the coolest thing ever!

That night as we tucked the boys in bed, Micah couldn't believe the elf decided to choose his room to spend some time before heading off to the North Pole. It had only been a couple of days before that Micah and Noah went from being roommates to having separate rooms. Both boys had come to find this change lonesome, especially at night. However, knowing that the elf was going to report back to Santa on how well Micah went to sleep, our night owl was dreaming of sugar plum fairies within five minutes of lights out! It was incredible! The elf has been in Micah's room every night since.

The first thing Micah does in the morning is find the elf's position in the house. At times we find him talking to the elf, "Tell Santa I want the ambulance Transformer" or "Make sure you tell Santa that Noah hit me today". A couple of days ago, Micah came into our room horrified because the elf had fallen off his look out. How in the world would he get back up there when none of us could touch him? (I guess he forgot that the elf could fly) :) We went to the kitchen and got the BBQ tongs, picked up the elf and set him back where he belonged.

Initially excited, the novelty of the elf has worn off on Noah. The other day Richard was telling Noah that the elf was going to tell Santa that Noah wouldn't pee pee in the potty. Noah replied, "I don't like that elf and I am going to tell Santa on that elf because he is mean". Maybe next year...it will have the same affect on Noah as it has on Micah.


Traditions are so important. There are certain Christmas traditions that I cherish and want to pass on to my children. The advent calendar, candle light service on Christmas eve, cream cheese breakfast bars on Christmas morning, sharing stories about special ornaments on the tree, time with family, Christmas cookies, the story of Jesus' birth...I could go on forever. Although I did not grow up with an Elf on the Shelf, it is definitely a Christmas tradition that we will be keeping and hope that the boys will pass on to their children.

Santa is almost here!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!