The Elf Thing

We have an elf dilemma at the Newell Household.

You've heard of the Elf on a Shelf, right? 

Well, you see, we actually have THREE elves.  And I've (not-so-much Jay) been so confused on how to combine all these elves together, without getting too confused at what elf goes where or does what.  And it doesn't help that I have an extremely smart almost 4-year old, who remembers everything and questions everything.  I have had too many drawn out conversations to count about our elves. 

So, Elf #1 is Sally.  She came to our house last year.  She is "invisible."  She comes to our house at night and watches Mal.  She talks to me about how she did that day and then go reports back to Santa.  Her "sprinkle" is seen at night when she travels to see Mal and visit with me.  Sally also brought many treats, toys, and other things to Mal and left them in a box that Mallory and I made last year.  This year, the box has not played a role in her "job."

Elf #2 is Christina.  She was given to us by Mal's Great Aunt.  She, a soft, figurine, came with a book, that tells a story about her coming to the Children's world.  Christina has taken up space in Mal's bed since late November.  Starting the first of December she started hiding (in the freezer) and doing some mischief around our house.  I even moved her during the day today (was taking her out of the bathroom) and Mal flipped out, saying "Look at Christina!! She moved!! How silly of her." 

Then we have Elf #3, the original Elf on the Shelf.  Which we have not "used."  He sits in the playroom and watches over Mal and Clayton.  I find him rather creepy. 

So, I guess our Christina is our Elf on the Shelf.  She's cuter, at least I think so.  Sally is still around, but pays attention to the things Christina can't see.  My only problem is keeping them straight and making sure the stories match.  Because Miss Mallory Jayne Newell is wise and I feel she might be on to my shananigans with Sally.  But not-so-much with Christina.  Who knows!  How long does this last anyways?? That you can convince them of something that is really not real.  I honestly feel a bit bad that I'm lying to her.  The whole Santa and Elf thing.

**DUDE--she JUST woke up and I hear her calling, "Christina?  Where are you?  I put her right there and she's not there anymore."  She's looking in the fridge and freezer.  "Maybe she'll sneak up on me Mommy."  Gosh, I can't keep a straight face.  I LOVE this.  She is SO into this.  AND I AM SO SNEAKY!!!!  LMBO**

Top 10 for the week:

10.  HUGE.  So, I totally thought I was on top of things when I ordered my xmas cards a few weeks ago.  Who wouldn't right?  Well, I got them this week and they are HUGE.  Like, half a page.  I was shocked.  Guess I didn't pay close enough attention to the dimensions of the cards! Oops!  Will next year!  So, if our xmas card takes up half of your fridge--SORRY! (if it even makes it to the fridge!:o))

9.  Prowler Adventure.  Today we really didn't have much planned.  Kids got up early as usual and we kinda just did nothing until we decided to head outside.  After putting up a few more lights (according to Mal we don't have enough), we headed to the barn, and saw the Prowler.  We decided to go on a prowler ride.  We tooled around the pond a few times making a MUCH needed path.  Kids loved it.  Daddy loved it.  And I loved it.  Simple, yet so fun. 
 
8.  Bidding. This past week, was the Chamber Dinner at Hard Times "downtown."  Dinner and then an auction follows.  I've bid once or twice before, but not as much as I did that night.  Let's just say I REALLY enjoyed raising my hand and nodding on a bid.  Ummm....wouldn't mind going to another auction.  Just sayin'.

7.  Library.  On Mondays, we usually don't go to library because Mal has dance that day in the complete opposite direction.  Due to timing and driving, we've been skipping out.  This week because of the Chamber Dinner, Mal could not go to dance.  So, we headed to the library in the afternoon.  Mal enjoyed it and it made me proud at how well she followed directions and listened.  Preschool has been an extreme blessing and tool in creating the little student she has become.  Yeah for Preschool! (By the way she's a sheep in the Christmas program next week!  So excited.)

6.  Coordinating Nap Times.  My kids seem to not have gotten the memo from me about sleeping at the same time so the "boss" can have a break.  The days that Mal does not take a nap (we are unfortunately weening off of naps), Clay takes an extra long one--like close to 2 hours.  The days that Mal takes a long nap, like 2 hours, Clay takes an hour nap.  Now this wouldn't seem as bad.  However, Mal is hard to put down and by the time I end up getting her to sleep, Clay wakes up 30 minutes later.  The life of a stay-at-home mom.  Sending the memo out again is on my to-do list this week:o) 

5.  Clayisms.  One day this week, Clay took off his socks and discovered his sock fuzzies.  He was fascinated for about 20 minutes which is REALLY long in Clay's book.  He had such a puzzled, intrigued look on his face.  I laughed.  He is turning into quite the handful lately.  I am constantly chasing him around telling him "NO," pulling him down off of chairs and misc other furniture he climbs, and getting him out of things he shouldn't be in.  Is this normal??? I mean, I know he's a toddler and SO boy, but do they really do this much???  I never rest.  Ever.  Because of our little, sweet man.  Sometimes I wish he wasn't so cute.  I think I'd be a little stricter with him.  And if he's stop kissing and hugging me, that would help too.

4.  Malloryisms.  My girl.  Cracks me up!!  Monday was a rough day for her.  Not sure if she missed her dad or what.  But here was a few of her comments to me that day:
"I like Daddy's hot chocolate better.  It is warmer and more chocolaty."  (Really?!?!?!)
"Speeding is dangerous Mom."  (As I was accelerating--NOT speeding)
"Did you see that sprinkle?"  (She meant sparkle--referring to our "elf")

And then later this week a monologue to Clay in the backseat:
"Clay when you get older, I'll show you how to do that (read a book without tearing pages).  And you can chew gum but don't swallow it.  That's bad.  That right Mom?"  (That right is a phrase she uses often).

I always tell her she's my favorite girl.  During nap time yesterday, I said this to her, and she replied "You're my favorite Mommy."  Melts my heart.


3. Old co-workers.  Miss them.  But love them.  Had another one call me out of the blue this week, and she stopped by after school for over an hour.  I so thought that I would just fall off the face of the earth when I didn't go back to school.  But turns out, I didn't.  They contact ME!  And I see them and talk to them.  And it makes me feel happy.  Thank-you for staying my friends even when I'm not at school anymore.  I appreciate your friendship and enjoy being in "the loop."  I am also rooting for you!!!  Even when the politicians are not.  Scary thought.

2.  Holistic Health.  I went to a holistic health person this week.  It was hopeful.  Not sure if I buy into everything...but I'm willing to try it out.  We will see. (Still no pop or alcohol since kidney stone.  Going on 28 days.  Lost 5 pounds too.  Less sweet cravings.)

1.  December. Can we say FUN!!! Mal is at the perfect age. She lights up to Christmas music, elf tactics, Outdoor lights (even only one string!!), baby Jesus, and anything that has to do with the holiday. It is so gosh darn cute and brings me back to how special this holiday truly is to a child and everyone. She has no clue what she wants for Christmas (everyone keeps asking her and she replies "I don't know.") but she sure loves everything else around her. Her expression on her face when seeing Santa in the parade on Saturday, was priceless. It was the I'm-shy-but-I-love-you-and-you-make-me-excited face. If you know her, you know this face. Now Clay, enjoys the holiday as well, but for other reasons. Like he gets to touch more fun things and get into everything. We are so excited to put up our tree next weekend! We can hardly wait! (HUGE sarcasm).

Yeah!! For the first week of December!!
Hope you are enjoying this crazy warm weather.
Have a great week.
Christina will:0) and so will my Miss Mallory.

Until next week,
Mrs. Newell