So We Adopted!

When the kids got home from school today there was this cute little package on our porch that must have been magically left by Santa's Elf.  

Inside this package was this "Elf on a Shelf" picture book and little red elf to go with it as well a little note personally addressed to the kids giving instructions on what to do with this little creature.

 He sits up high in the tree or on a shelf and cannot be touched or he'll lose his magic....but the kids can talk to him until their hearts are content...  He watches them perform their good little deeds (and so does momma--LOVE IT) as well as their little noddy moments and outbursts (not so lovely).  He reports it all nightly to Santa and returns the next morning perched somewhere else for the kids to search him out as he watches and takes his notes. 

We registered our cute little Elf's name on the elf website and Santa sent us back a letter complete with adoption papers.

My dear friend, Allison, grew up with a little elf just like this.  Her cutest mom has

 had a little elf friend for almost 40 years now.  So Allison has had this tradition with her little kiddies since she was married.  I'm just trying to figure out why it took so long for Santa's little elves to make their way to our home.  Perhaps it's this adorable sign I put out this year inviting Santa to our home (new find at Taipan).  Or maybe it's because SIX kids and their noise levels are historically unmanageable this time of year...go figure.  Santa KNEW we needed some way to avoid coal in the stockings since he's a very merciful Santa?  So finally, we have a little elf of our own which the kids named 'Buddy' (I know, VERY original).

Izzie's name choice for him was 'elfant'....as in elephant.  We voted...I voted for Elfant.  Elfant lost.  Meet our new friend, "Buddy."  Hopefully he can help our 'mouthy' ones earn treats instead of coal this year.