Elf on the Shelf

The morning after Thanksgiving we had a special visitor.  Sean's elf arrived for a kick-off breakfast and story!  I hurried downstairs while Scott took his time changing diapers and getting the boys up so that I could make reindeer pancakes and candy cane fruit.  I had the elf and the book waiting for Sean on the table.  I couldn't wait to see his reaction.

I'm pretty sure this picture sums up his excitement for the change of pace and presents on the table!  He was more interested in eating right away and he slowly came around to the elf on the table.  We told him a quick version of the story and asked him to name his elf.  He needed some examples of names and then he decided that he would name his elf, Cookie Monster.  Oh boy.

Since then it's been so much fun coming up with clever places to make Cookie Monster hide.  And I have to admit, that while I was unsure at first about whether this whole "Elf on a Shelf" thing would have any impact on some of his terrible twos behavior, I've been pleasantly surprised with how well it works.  We just went a whole week at daycare without him biting any of his friends and while he was throwing a tantrum in the car today I reminded him that Cookie Monster was watching and would report back to Santa and within a few minutes he calmed down.  Here's some of the places Sean has found Cookie Monster in our house:

We have been keeping Sean busy this month making sure he is having a great time this holiday season decorating cookies, visiting Santa, playing with his cousins, and going to look at Christmas lights! He's at such a fun age this year since we're able to explain a little bit of the Story of Christmas with baby Jesus and the nativity scene, as well as, Santa and his reindeer.

Our family is going to be busy this week as we gear up for the last 8 days until the festivities truly begin.  With some shopping to finish, gifts to wrap, work and daycare Christmas parties, we have so much to look forward to!  Now if Sean's two year molars and stuffy nose would stop causing problems, we'll be all set! 

Happy Holidays!