Our Elf on the Shelf

It's absolutely hilarious to me how much controversy there actually is surrounding this little Elf on the Shelf phenomenon. On one side, you have people who think it's shameful to buy this retail product and shove it down the throat of the Christmas season when there's already enough focus on materialism and things other than Jesus' birth. On the other side, you've got people like me, who have awesome children who make the Christmas season so much fun simply through their unadulterated joy as they experience it all and take it all in.

That's what our Elf on the Shelf meant to us this year. This was the first year that he appeared in our home, and the girls absolutely loved him! In case you're not familiar with the Elf, he (or she) comes with a story book explaining that he's a helper sent from Santa to watch the children of the household during the day. He then slips away, through Christmas magic, back to the North Pole to give Santa a report on whether the children have been naughty or nice. He goes away while the kids are sleeping and returns each morning in a new spot. The children are then supposed to find their elf so that they know he's keeping an eye on them. The story says that the kids have to name their elf, and our girls picked the name Dee. I have no clue where they got it, but it works!

So, Dee made his debut at our home a few days after Thanksgiving this year and, per his story, he left us while the girls were sleeping on Christmas eve. I just wanted to do a post on all of his shenanigans...which were actually really mild. Some of these elves are extremely naughty! While the pictures of these naughty elves can be hilarious, I really wanted to make sure that our girls were seeing their elf as an example of good or playful behavior--I didn't want to encourage mischief. 

They loved waking up each morning and searching for Dee. Once they found him they'd come and wake me up and drag me downstairs to see what he was up to. The whole thing was so magical for them, it definitely brightened the holiday season for Matt and I. Watching the girls experience this was so much fun and I can't wait for next year when little Dee returns!

We first found Dee in the girls room on their bunk bed ladder! We read his story that night for our bedtime story, and the girls were hooked!

Dee sleeping in the tissue box

Dee working on his naught/nice report to Santa

Dee reading his story to Minnie Mouse

Dee playing with the girls' boots

The girls had a sleepover at Granny's house and Dee showed up there the next morning! Boy were they surprised to see him there!

Dee wanted to have breakfast with the girls so he set out bowls for everyone

Dee wanted to make sure that the girls saw this movie this year--it's one of Dee's and Mommy's favorites!

Dee left a note for the girls reminding them that Santa is watching and that they need to remember to obey their mommy and daddy, especially at bedtime. He also left them some pre-Christmas gifts--books about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

Dee took a ride on the girls' train set

Dee made cookies! He was testing out Mommy's recipe to make sure it was Santa-ready

Dee checks his email

Dee and Minnie Mouse had a picnic in the living room

Dee wanted to share the story of Jesus' birth with the girls, so he pulled out the family Bible

Silly Dee--he got stuck in Rapunzel's box the morning after our family Christmas party

Dee checking out how well he could see Santa's route in the sky through our bedroom window

Dee taped himself up with all of our holiday cards on the front door

There's lots of construction happening on our street right now, so Dee wanted to go for a ride on the girls construction trucks

Dee, and Santa Claus, are Utes fans!

Dee took Minnie Mouse for a drive

Dee showed up at Granny's house again!

Dee reminded the girls to check their stockings on Christmas morning 

Dee was feeling nostalgic--he's going to miss these girlies while he's gone!