Our friend Bubba's the Elf

Let me tell you a little tale about our little friend from the North Pole who comes to visit us each winter, arriving shortly after Thanksgiving and staying through until Christmas Eve.  He first appeared the end of Nov 2008 much to Colby's delight.  We read the book about the "elf on the shelf" in which the rules are described.  The elves head out to little boy and girls houses around the start of the holidays (in our house that's 1-2 days after Thanksgiving).  They come into your home and upon their initial appearance you must name them.  Colby creatively named our Elf "Bubba's" as that was my nickname for his baby brother at the time, lol!!!  So Bubba's it was and each night after the boys go to bed the elf flys back to the NP and reports to Santa all the good and bad things he has observed that day!  Each morning he returns to sit in a different spot throughout the house and the boys first thought of the day is to find his new perch!  Colby LOVES this!!!!  There are two rules though.  1.  Do NOT touch the elf.  If you do he might lose his magic and then he cannot return to the NP to tell Santa all that you have done and 2. He can't talk to you BUT you can talk to him and tell him your wishes which he will then relay to the jolly man himself!  Well, this year has been the most fun by far!!!  The boys seem to be at the perfect age to really get caught up in the whole magic of it all and so each morning since the elf's appearance they hop out of bed eager to find the elf's new spot.  His appearance on the 1st of Dec this year came with a new twist.  He brought the boys' candy countdowns with a final gift to be opened on the 25th!!!  The boys were SO excited to discover this!!!

And so we have spent each morning in an excited rush to find the elf in his hiding place!!!  (And I have lost quite a few hours of sleep as I wake in a panic realizing I've forgotten to move him and then hop out of bed and relocate the little guy before the boys wake up)

Well, the other morning, curiosity got the best of Parker and much to Colby's shock and horror, he TOUCHED the elf.  Colby screamed, Parker fumbled and Bubba's toppled to the floor.  Oh the boys were so distraught!!!  "Parker, HOW could you do that" Colby cried.  Parker was beside himself with apologies.  I righted the elf back on the shelf and told Parker not to worry, that I was sure Santa would have mercy on him!  Well, the next morning much to their delight, this is what the boys found....

  Colby was so delighted with this discovery he BEGGED to take the note to school and share it with his classmates which of course I allowed!!!  We have just been having so much fun with this tradition this year.  I know it's one of those things that they will someday (and much sooner than I would like) outgrow but for now, we will enjoy this and them and I hope that this is something they will carry on with their own family someday!  A child's ability to have faith and believe is truly "magical".....