Meet Our Elf

If you have children (or even if you don't), you've probably heard of The Elf on the Shelf.  I was so excited to start this tradition this year!  The only problem?  Abby saw the little elf when I was searching online and said that he was "really scary".  I knew right then that he would not be welcome in our home, but I still desperately wanted to start this fun tradition. 

So I began my search for a cuter, less "scary" elf.  I searched high and low, online, in every store, and was starting to feel a little discouraged that we wouldn't be able to do this after all.  But then the clouds parted and the sunbeams shone down!  On a shopping trip to Michael's, I finally found a little elf that would work.  My kids are young so I was able to pull this one off!

Meet Charlie!  Since I didn't get the kit with the book, I decided to box him up in a package straight from the North Pole with a letter describing what he would be doing.  He keeps an eye on the kids and their behavior, then reports back to Santa every night after bedtime.  In the morning we find him hiding in different places all over the house.  Charlie actually arrived at our house two days before Thanksgiving.  Here are some of the places we have found him:

On Thanksgiving morning, we found him eating one of the turkey cookies we made.  He is always getting into snacks!

Hanging from the kissing ball in the foyer...he's a daredevil!

In the Christmas tree...

Abby was excited to find him here!

Hiding on the chandelier in the dining room.  He's fond of high places!

Dangling from the hutch.  This was one of my favorite places to find him!

This is where we found him this morning...eating M&Ms in the kitchen. 

My kids wake up early every morning, excited to see where Charlie will be.  He has been a welcome guest in our home, and one that has really helped keep behavior in check!