Sammy the Elf

We started a new tradition this year. We bought the book The Elf on the Shelf and are having a blast! The premise is that Santa sends an elf to watch you to see if you've been naughty or nice and then reports to Santa each night. In the morning the elf is in a different place (from his previous night's trip to Santa) and the girls have to find him. We have been careful that Tess understands that Christmas is really all about Jesus' birthday and while I'm not sure how much she really believes in the whole Santa thing, the search for our elf has definitely become a fun highlight this year.

We named our elf Sammy and we have already created some great memories with him. One morning Sammy was found reading a book on the girl's bookshelf. Tess looked and looked for him and when she finally found him reading a book, she laughed so hard she cried. Another morning I heard Gracie making a lot of noise (I thought she was upset) and when I found her she was laughing hysterically at finding Sammy hiding on the spice rack. Then there was the night we had ham for dinner and Joel told Tess to "finish your hammy." Gracie immediately starting pointing to the dining room light where Sammy had been hiding a few days before.

Here's a typical morning photo of two very excited girls finding Sammy first thing after they woke up.

Here Sammy is hiding in Joel's antique Lufkin rules.Sammy hiding on Tess' name picture in her room.

An excited Gracie finding Sammy sitting on the glass Christmas balls.

Hanging out on our wedding picture.

Sitting on the place card holder chairs in the china cabinet.

Tess was a little concerned when it was time to leave for Maw Maw and Pop Pop's house in the morning and Sammy hadn't turned up yet. Once the girls got in the car they found out where Sammy was waiting to keep an eye on them!
Here Sammy is at Maw Maw and Pop Pop's house, the last night before he goes away until next year. We are sure going to miss this little face! He decided to get a little Oreo snack while he waited. Silly little elf left a little mess!