Elf on the Shelf

Admittedly, I had blown off the "Elf on the Shelf" fad. However, I left for a week-long conference at the beginning of December and poor Jamie, unaware of the work it takes to maintain the life of an elf (Have you seen the amount of sweets they eat?!) brought "Elfin" (as named by Jack) into our lives.

Elfin has hidden in backpacks, stockings, the orange bowl (after eating the last one and leaving only a peel for his human hosts) and the Christmas tree (after bringing an Auburn ornament...smart elf). We've also awoken to find him playing PacMan on the TV.

Yesterday, Porter typed and printed him a letter requesting that he make her a carrot cake. Elfin arrived this morning with not one but FOUR cupcakes. They came with a letter reminding Porter that Santa brings things from the North Pole, not elves, but that Mrs. Clause was baking last night and had extras...so Porter had a carrot cake cupcake, Betsy a princess one and Jack a Christmas themed bit of sweetness (apparently Elfin thought Mommy & Daddy would like a chocolate one too). Porter noted that she thought Gigi's makes cupcakes similar to the ones that Elfin delivered, but after that she never missed a beat in sharing the story of Elfin's great North Pole delivery.

So...this morning...my children were given free reign to eat cupcakes for breakfast. Though a little depressing from the financial decision stand point, I am proud to report that not one of them got through more than a couple of bites before declaring sweet defeat. I think Jack asked for yogurt after pushing his away.

Enjoy our captured Elfin memories: