Elf on the Shelf

Hello all!!!!

Can you believe it's December already?!?! I can't!  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  If you are like me, it started the busy, but fun, season.  I am trying to get really organized because I love this season and I just want to be on my game, but my decorations are half way done and the few items I have bought are still in bags on the kitchen bar.  Christmas organization is my goal tonight!

I love tradition, especially when it comes to Christmas.  Although I feel like I add a new tradition every year!  Anyways, one of ours that we started with Jackson's second Christmas was Elf on the Shelf.  I am sure many of you know of it!  If you don't, it's where an elf comes to your house and his presence is supposed to help your children behave because at night he reports back to Santa on how your child behaved.  Basically, it's an excuse for parents to whip their kid in shape.  From 12/1 or whenever you put it out, until Christmas, any time they are misbehaving you just say the elf is watching.  And the behavior changes like magic! :)  Also, people get really creative with how they place the elf each day.  

UH OH has arrived!

So we started again this year on 12/1 and let me just tell you about my crazy boy.  The elf, "UH OH" (he named him when he was 1 and 1/2), came back and brought tree and star shaped marshmallows, a letter to Jackson, and his advent calendars.  Jackson was excited and loved it all but as we were talking about it and how he goes back to Santa, Jackson said, "but he's just a toy, he can't talk."  So after quickly saving the situation, I decided I am going to have to get creative with this elf for Jackson to really believe what I say is going on.  

UH OH has gone fishin'.

On the 2nd, UH OH was fishing for gold fish in our sink.  Jackson laughed and told me UH OH was so funny.  Later that day, Jackson was being a little snappy so I asked him if he wanted me to tell UH OH.  He yelled no and walked away.  Then, he came back and told me if I told UH OH he would just touch him so he lost his magic and couldn't tell Santa.  Touche' kid. 

UH OH was trapped by the army men!

On the 3rd day, and probably Jackson's favorite, when he found UH OH he was trapped by the army men.  Jackson started screaming and wanted to help him but didn't know how since he can't touch him.  So I helped him and we got UH OH down.  Jackson thought it was so crazy that his army men thought UH OH was an intruder and trapped him!

UH OH is ready for a bath!

Today,  UH OH was hanging in Jackson's shower with towels on.  Jackson thought it was HILARIOUS!! He said he must be dirty!!  I think we have gotten him to completely believe and be excited to look for him.  He told me he couldn't believe UH OH went upstairs too. :)  He even has been telling people about his elf and how it works.  Whew! Tradition saved.  

We just have to continue being creative! Which means no throwing it together two seconds before he walks downstairs.  I might've done that in the past.....

Do you do Elf on the Shelf?  I am definitely looking for some creative ideas for my little guy!  I did buy the elf a suitcase last year with clothes and did a little thing with that when he left.  I've seen a cute superhero outfit for the elf I think I have to get!  Oh! and I did purchase the reindeer friend!  Just looking for a good way to introduce it!

Let me know what your family does! I love hearing Elf stories!