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Monday, December 17, 2012

Elf on the Shelf --- Quick and Painless Ideas


If you have kids, then you may have heard a thing or two about Elf on the Shelf. It's the latest holiday craze that may drive you crazy. 

But, all the work is well worth it when you see that big smile or hear a tiny giggle as your girl or boy gets up every morning to search for the elf. (And, in my case, it speeds up the process of getting dressed in the morning so she can go on the scavenger hunt).

This is the first year we got our elf. The special  guest from the North Pole is named Snowflake (my daughter decided that with the help of her Grandma Dea Dea). Our elf is a girl through and through ... she's got earrings and a couture skirt. She also came with the Elf on the Shelf book and DVD movie.

So, here is a look at what Snowflake has gotten into this year. Some elves can be mischievous, but our little gal doesn't get into too much trouble -- thank goodness!

Here's a glimpse ...



DAY 1: 

Snowflake arrives with a message for my girl.



DAY 2:

Snowflake decided to hitch a ride with Elmo and the polar bears.



DAY 3:

This one was special because Snowflake helped put up the train and the tree while my little girl was sleeping! Such a good helper!




The picture above comes with a funny story. The train came off the tracks and my daughter kept yelling, "Something is wrong with the Elf!" She repeated this over and over, but I thought she was talking about the train derailment. I finally looked and a real bug was crawling on Snowflake! Poor elf couldn't tell us!

 Now, for all those who don't know the story behind the elf ... if you touch her, her magic will go away! I had to carefully, with toddler eyes watching every move, put a napkin against Snowflake's collar and the bug eventually crawled onto the napkin. No elves or bugs were harmed in this process ... I let the bug go free outside where it belongs!

DAY 4:

Snowflake is tired and opted for some relaxing TV!
(She found a television frame and a small remote that wasn't needed during the day).


DAY 5:

When my daughter saw the elf with the cooking utensils she yelled, "The Elf is baking!"


DAY 6:

Our elf likes fishing in a mason jar with a pencil and toy fish. 
She colored the water with food coloring and also left some goldfish snacks (in a snack cup -- not in the water) for my daughter.


DAY 7:

Snowflake is checking out the Christmas decorations!


DAY 8:

Weeeeeeee ... our adventurous elf is zip lining to the Christmas tree! 


DAY 9:

The elf is potty training with Elmo's potty. I think she used a little too much TP! 
She looks guilty in the pictures!


DAY 10:

Snowflake wanted to be the star or angel on our tree for the day.


DAY 11:

Every gal likes getting "dolled" up once in a while! 



DAY 12:

It's been twelve days of the Elf ... time for some much needed rest in the guest bedroom (with a pillow case used as a blanket). She even left a message!


DAY 13:

Snowflake isn't afraid of heights ... for sure! 
This time she was in the chandelier.


DAY 14:

It looks like Snowflake tried to do a snow angel in the sugar, but gave up.


DAY 15:

Yee-haw! She was found wearing cowboy boots and even had a twine lasso! Next time, I think she should invite the Toy Story folks (Woody, Jessie and Bullseye).


DAY 16:

And the Emmy goes to .... Snowflake! She left behind a quick speech too! 
(If you don't have an Emmy around the house, maybe the elf can make an award.)


DAY 17:

Even elves have to do some work sometimes. 
Santa's train broke down, so she grabbed the toy tools and got to work. She's so handy around the house!



DAY 18:


This elf got a little thirsty from trips to and from the North Pole. Look -- she turned the milk green with food coloring! Snowflake didn't mind the cold temps in the fridge, but my little girl didn't want anything to do with green milk! Oh well! 





DAY 19:

 I wish I had this kind of help all year long! Snowflake grabbed some toy scissors and helped cut coupons! Wouldn't that be great if she could do this every night!



DAY 20:

Snowflake loves to eat too! We found her in the toy deli grabbing a bite to eat. She chose pizza, cake and lemonade and paid with a credit card -- I'm guessing she'll expense these purchases with Santa. 

I hope she used the coupons she cut too -- times are tough!



DAY 21:

Our goofy elf decided to have a little fun on day 21. She got into the foam stickers! What a mess!



DAY 22:

Weeeeeeeeee!



DAY 23:

The next one was fun! Snowflake put signs around the house pointing to the car. She was strapped in for a ride to a Christmas party! She was, of course, hanging in a place where little hands couldn't touch her during the ride.



DAY 24:

Snowflake got creative. She hopped in the toy wagon with Santa Elmo and a bag full of toys. Rudolph is, of course, leading the way back to the North Pole!




I think we did alright for our first year with an Elf on the Shelf. I'm not gonna lie, I kinda miss our little red dressed magical gal. 

I hope this blog gives you some quick and easy options -- especially for those nights where you are exhausted after eating cookies and drinking a little egg nog!

Feel free to pin my pix for inspiration on Pinterest!

Enjoy!

Kathryn 






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