The Elf on the Shelf...

THIS is the greatest story ever! My wonderful friend, Cindy, purchased this set for our family, thus helping us to begin a brand new Christmas tradition in the Springs household. As the story goes, the little elf watches the children and reports back to Santa each evening on the quality of behavior he has witnessed during the day (my kids have been rather concerned about this on occasion). They are to look for him in his new observation spot each morning (now a contest between my children), but are NEVER to touch him. Touching could, in fact, lead to the disappearance of his magic, and possibly the entire elf...not good.

When we first began reading the story about a week-and-a-half ago, Braden was very negative and distrustful of the whole operation of elf reporting and whatnot. He was just a "Negative Nelly," or I guess a "Negative Ned," since he's a boy. Anyway, he now is the first one up each morning, trying to beat Garrett to the discovery of the Elf's new position. It's so much fun to watch him tell Garrett to make sure he behaves because the elf is watching...as if he, too, did not need to watch his behavior! :0)

There is a certificate in the back of the book that allows each family to record the date of the beginning of this new tradition and the name they have chosen for their elf. Needless to say, my boys chose to name their elf "Minniehaha!" Those of you who know of their obsession with this name will immediately understand! On one of their "Frosty" holiday movies, the children are trying to brainstorm a name for Frosty's new snow-wife. Several choices are suggested, including "Cornflakes" and "Minniehaha..."all before settling on "Crystal." The boys just crack up and belly laugh when they say the name Minnihaha to each other. It's really fun to watch!

So, now our elf is Minniehaha, and Braden is fully on board with this whole new tradition...finally! I'm just dreading the day he decides not to believe any more and tells Garrett the whole thing. I just don't want them to grow up...