Elf Report Day 3

Our little Elf is still causing great excitement and some behavior modification. We're using the boring locations so that I can pull out the big guns when they start to get bored. I'm still looking for good suggestions!

I'm baking and cooking all day, so I don't have much time to look on the web. Hmmm..I wonder if the Elf cooks?

P.S. Say a little prayer for my Grammy Poe. She had to go to the hospital yesterday and will be spending Thanksgiving there. As my mom put it, she pulled a Clif. She's in atrial fibrillation and was having a hard time catching her breath. The doctor came in this morning and said that she is still out of rhythm, but is doing well and will be out of CCU into a room soon.

Elf on the Shelf

I found a new BFF today. I bought an Elf on the Shelf doll and book. He is my new friend because he is being really helpful with discipline during the begining of this crazy season.

If you have never seen the Elf, here is the story. . .

The Elf comes to your house. As soon as you name him, he has magical powers. Those powers allow him to magically visit Santa every night to update Santa on your kids' behavior. Brilliant! When they go to sleep he travels to the North Pole and returns by morning to a new spot in the house. They are to race to find him in the morning.

What is even more brilliant (until they catch on) is the tradition goes that Santa told him 1) not to talk to the kids, and 2) the kids aren't allowed to touch him. If the kids touch him, his magical powers go away and Santa will think the kids forgot about him just before Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, the Elf rides with Santa back to the North Pole where he stays until next year.

My kids have bought this hook, line, and sinker. They are so excited. Their imaginations are going wild. Now, the fun part begins. If I can remember to move this Elf every night, we'll have something good. He has also been known to get into some mischief, so any suggestions of where he might end up are aprreciated. So far, we've come up with various places in the kitchen (including the fridge or freezer), the car, and who knows where else.

I know some of my Facebook friends have these for their kids, so I'm hoping we can all share some ideas. The downside of bringing him out early is the length of time you have to change him up, but if they keep believing that he's Santa's informant it will be "oh, so worth it!" Tyler was standing on the couch this afternoon and I said, "Oh, No!! The Elf saw you!!!!" He IMMEDIATELY sat down.

Ours is named Weekie. Which had to be drawn out of a hat of 2 choices.

To get one or learn more, visit the Elf on the Shelf web site.

4 Year Old Comedy

Kids are funny. They get funny around 2 and age 4 can be downright hilarious. Multiply that by 3 kids currently 4 in my house and call me entertained much of the time.

Here's a story from today.

We were on our way to preschool. I sometimes practice counting or do other memory things on the way to school. Today we were practicing phone numbers. We went through saying the home phone a few times, then my cell, then daddy's cell. The following conversation ensued:

John: "Mommy, I want a number. When am I going to have a number?"

Me: "Well, John. Some day you'll have a number. When you get older, you'll get a cell phone and then you'll have a number. We haven't decided when that will be yet. Maybe when you are 10 or 12."
John: "How about 10?"

Lauren: "No 12!!"

Tyler" "No!! 13!!!"

Me: [laughing at them arguing over a concept that they obviously don't get yet]

Lauren: "Mommy? Are you 12?"

Me: "No, Lauren. I'm 41."

Lauren: "I want to be 41 like you Mommy!"

John: "I want to be 65 like Daddy!"

Me: [laughing so hard my sides hurt (Daddy's about 20 years away from 65)]

John: "What's so funny?"

Me: "Daddy isn't 65 silly! He's 45!"

Tyler: "Mommy!!! Daddy's not 45! He's 46!!!"

Me: "Oh yeah! You're right Tyler."

N.e.e.d. M.o.r.e. C.o.f.f.e.e.

And now for a random picture:
Preschool Tumbling

From 2009-11-07

Halloween 2009

It rained on us tonight because we went out early. I think the kids had more fun passing out candy then trick or treating. The highlight of the night was going to Austin's teacher's house. They all kept asking if we were there yet.

From 2009_10_halloween

Tyler, John, Lauren and Austin

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

Our neighbor Pam.

From 2009_10_halloween

Getting cold and wet!

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

From 2009_10_halloween

Lauren's New Buddy

Lauren and I went to Kentucky last weekend after mom came home from her surgery. She is doing well. Lauren helped Granddad with his "honey-do list".

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

From 2009_10_25

The Castle

When my children get quiet it means BIG things are happening. Tonight, they cleared out the linen closet and built a castle.

Guess Where?

Turn on ESPN2.

We Don't Like Bangs

You would think I was talking about my daughter Lauren. No. As usual, I have another Tyler story. He came to me with safety scissors in hand and said, "Mommy, my hair was too long." (See the first row of photos.)

He apparently trimmed some of John's hair too, but I can't find the evidence (thank goodness). Clif took him to get it somewhat fixed. He kept saying, "I don't like hair on my forehead! I like it short!"

Mr. Carl fixed his hair up as best he could without going too short (see second row). This is the shortest it has ever been.

Asleep at Landing

Lauren was lulled to sleep on the long taxi to the gate at Atlanta. We have landed safely and sleepily.

Intrigued by the Safety Card

Tyler read the Safety Information card 3 times on the way home.