An Elf of our Own

When we got home the other day, there was a package on our doorstep. It was a box. It was wrapped in simple white paper and addressed to Asa, Addison and Ivey from the North Pole! We all sat in the floor and the boys unwrapped this mysterious gift. Inside was a box. The box had a little elf, dressed in red, and a bood entitled, "Elf on a Shelf".

We read the book and learned that in this box was our very own elf. We were instructed to give him a name (we chose "Squirt") and told that he would watch us all day long and leave every night to tell Santa how we were that day as well as what we would like for Christmas. The one important rule is- DO NOT TOUCH! We cannot touch the elf or his magic will go away. He cannot talk to us, but he can listen. We finished the book and decided to set Squirt's box on the mantle. At first we wondered if we should get him out of the box. I wasn't sure how to get him out of the box without touching him, and since the box had a clear front we would be able to set him on the mantle and see if he got out the next morning.

Sure enough, the next morning Squirt had left the tiny red twist ties on the mantle, climbed down, went to the North Pole, and then hid on top of our kitchen cabinet. The boys were delighted. Over the last few days, the boys have made sure to let Squirt know what they would like to get for Christmas. I even caught Asa taking an toy catalog that we got in the mail and holding it up for Squirt to see, pointing out his wishes. Yesterday, Asa told me that he wanted to get a bunch of candy canes for Christmas and "not share any of them". He quickly dropped his voice and said, "I hope that elf didn't hear that." I'm sure the elf did, but I am betting that Asa has been good enough to excuse such a comment.

Each morning, Asa and Addison get so excited running around trying to find where Squirt decided to land. He has been on the light fixture, on the entertainment center and has hung from the curtain rod. He's quite the kidder. I'm not looking forward to Squirt leaving us Christmas Eve night, but at least we all know he will show up again next year... probably when we least expect it...