Elf on the Shelf, 2013

It’s that time of year again!

Jack and Julia appeared on Thanksgiving morning, right on schedule. They had the remote in hand and a list of things to look for during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Next up – some yard work. Time to usher out the pumpkins and fall leaves.

On Saturday morning we found them once again in front of the TV. This time they were ready for some football. They know we root for the Florida Gators and the Michigan Wolverines, so they brought some flags out to show team spirit. Julia had some pom poms and Jack wore a football jersey. (Kinda unfortunate that Michigan played Ohio State and North Pole colors are eerily similar to OSU. We’ll have to speak with Santa about that.) 

After a lazy, rainy day, Jack and Julia broke out the pool table.

Jack brought a Gingerbread house sticker set in case anyone wanted to use it for their Secret Santa letter.

The next night they set up a zip line from the Christmas Card clips to the tree. Candy canes were the vehicle of choice.

Fireman is next.

Barbie starts up. Mouse is next.

Someone read the advent calendar and knew were were going ice skating. We found them in the freezer with skates on, ready to go.

One morning we found the little red chair right in front of the TV.

Jack and Julia brought a Rise of the Guardians dvd! And popcorn.

The next morning we found Jack writing letters to Santa with Max.  And a helper in the stamp department.

Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.

A wish for Who pudding and some Roast Beast.

Luca, contemplating the letters.

Julia and some friends turned our spotting scope  into a Santa spotting scope.

Looks like everyone is on the lookout for Santa.

Meanwhile, Jack was cleverly hiding on the back of a chair. The kids did not find him ’til dinnertime.

Luca wrote a note to the elves asking for them to sprinkle some magic on him so he could be an elf. Santa replied.

Jack and some friends held an elf training that night. Looks like they covered “traits of an elf.”

Audience members each wore Santa hats.

Elf teachers

Luca, elfing himself. He was convinced he would be able to fly until we discussed the word “honorary.”

Julia got into my red lipstick.

Triumph over the Grinch

Jack and Julia arrived one morning with Elf on the Shelf ornaments:

Inside, we found elf candy mints!

Sleepover under the Christmas Tree.

Making marshmallow snowmen. And baby snowmen!

Jack, wearing his AWESOME new Michigan football jersey, cheering for Luca, who plays football in Aloha Stadium this day.

Candy cane field goal!

Elf camouflage …

Another way to open the advent calendar:

Lego disco party! Julia was pointing a flashlight onto the little disco ball.

The ball worked!

Legoman Limbo:

Tiny calendar countdown

Jack somehow got Luca’s paper airplane off of the roof.

A favorite, classic spot. Inside the car. Always makes for a quiet ride to school!

Tiny Hershey’s kisses-maker:

Silly Julia!

Christmas Scrabble game

Drag racing? No, just a car ride. Ticket required.

Another favorite spot for our elves- roasting marshmallows by the dollhouse fireplace.

Someone knew Luca wanted to play checkers.

Peekaboo! Took the kids a while to find Julia.

On Christmas morning, the elves always bring some friends and watch us open gifts. They leave our house that night. See you in 2014!