Expecting A Visitor

We are currently awaiting the arrival of a very special elf! Cole's sister was awesome enough to get us an Elf on the Shelf. For those not familiar with the tale the Elf on The Shelf-  he is sent by Santa (with a story book) to watch over little girls and boys during the days leading up to Christmas. Each night he flies home to the north pole to report back on how good (or bad) their child has been. In the morning, this silly Elf hides himself in various places around the house for the children to find him in the morning.

We took the book out and read it to Grace to prepare her for the elf's arrival. She is very excited about this elf and has already decided to name it Jack, just like her big cousin! I will let you all know when and how Jack arrives!

Weekend Pictures

Well, now that another weekend is upon us, I guess I should probably update the blog with last weekend's pictures. Last Saturday we took the kids on an Elf on a Shelf hayride. It was great! The Old Company Store in Wareham does this hayride every year. It was our first year doing it, and we had a blast.

We got there just as a hayride pulled up, so we didn't have to wait at all. The tractor pulls you through the cranberry bogs.

On the way to the cranberry bogs, they read you the story of Elf on a Shelf.

Then you have to look for all the elves hiding in the bogs.

When you see an elf you shout "ELF!"

Grace had such a blast looking for elves.

After the ride they had hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies back at the store. The kids also got a bell necklace to wear and they got to pick out a Christmas tattoo. Grace really loved this event. We will definitely be going back next year. As a side note, the Old Company Store is great! If you are ever looking for something to do when bored, just go walk around the store! It's filled with all sorts of fun things. Grace is especially fond of their candy section!

On Sunday, we had a Christmas party to go to, so I tried to whip together this Santa bread, I found on Pinterest. It didn't turn out quite, like the picture, but close enough for me.

Just a few pictures of the kids in some festive clothes!

We are gearing up for another fun filled weekend, starting with Grace's Holiday show tonight!

We have a guest!

I mentioned here that we were expecting a special guest, we'll he arrived Sunday morning! Jack the elf has arrived to watch and report back to Santa on all Grace does! Jack, must've shown up Sunday morning because we put up our Christmas tree Saturday night. Jack left Grace a note saying that he saw our lights from the North Pole!

Jack covered our kitchen with paper snowflakes and left a trail of snow all over our kitchen (he must've flown through a snow storm on his way here.)

Trail of snow

Jack sitting on his book, he brought Gracie candy for breakfast! What a naughty little elf!

Note the little elf footprints in the snow, yup I totally spent 10 minutes making little elf prints in the all the snow!

Grace finding Jack!

So excited!

 

I'll be sure to keep you updated on our little elfcapades, I think Jack has some silly things up his sleeve!

Elf Sightings

Jack has been reporting back to Santa every night. When we went to see Santa the other day Grace asked Santa all about Jack. Luckily Santa knew all about elf on a shelf and had all the right answers for her. Jack fell off the tree the other day, I  was able to grab him quickly and then convince Grace that he was trying to run around, she thought it was hysterical, and keeps talking about it.

Jack was missing Santa, so he hung out near his picture.

 Hanging out on the tree, holding an ornament, I think he was hinting around that we should decorate our tree already.

 I think he likes the elf on Gracie's stocking.

 Jack made himself a little chair out of marshmallows and gumdrops.

 He even left a little message for Grace using gumdrops..Grace thought they were "ucky"

 Riding our polar bear snowbabies this morning.

Elf Sightings

Some elf sightings lately:

Jack pretending to be a super hero, wearing a cape and mask, I threw together at the last minute.

We keep telling Grace that Jack peeks in at her in school. While I was waiting in the pick up line at school I saw him looking in the window, so I offered to give him a ride home. Grace was pretty excited to see him in the car after school. Of course she was even happier that he brought her a special treat.

 Just hanging out in our little village.

 Climbing some candy canes

 Jack brought 34 wrapped Christmas books the other day. Every night before bed Grace gets to pick one book to unwrap and read.

 Grace had a good day so Jack brought her some stamps.

Elf Pictures

Yup, more pictures of Jack!

Jack getting a check-up with Dr. Barbie.

 Snowball fight with Buzz

 Just sitting on a shelf

 Hiding in a new cup for Gracie.

 Jack enjoying some elf donuts.

 Jack colored our milk green and left some green Oreos!

 Jack showering this morning.

Elf Sightings

There has been some more Elfcapades in our house:

Jack hanging out in my cod pitcher

 Jack fishing

 Jack brought some Mac n Cheese from the North Pole.

 Jack hiding in Grace's reward jar this morning.

Go Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Arts and Crafts

Since Jack, the elf, left Grace some paint your own ornaments, Grace and I decided to paint them while Cole was at hockey last night.

Grace painting the ornaments

The ornaments

Since I already had the table prepped for a mess, we decided to do a few different crafts, once the ornaments were done.

Painting a Christmas tree

We finally made some count down to Christmas links, only a few days late.

Carter loves the look at the Christmas lights, so this is what he did while Grace and I painted.

The messy aftermath!