Elf on the Shelf

Every year our Elf on the Shelf comes to visit on the first of December. Well he's really only been coming the last two years, but the kids think he's always been apart of our holiday traditions! Our oldest son named him Eddie the first year he arrived and Santa has sent us the same elf each year!

The kids love Eddie and they enjoy looking for him each morning! Our elf is pretty good compared to some of the really naughty elves I've heard of! He tends to pick a favorite spot and stay there for a couple of days (i.e. Mommy and Daddy forget to move him each night!) But it was a fun way to remind the kids to be on their best behavior for Santa!

Each year our kids write their letters to Santa. Our second grader wrote his himself while the other three kids dictated to me what they wanted to say in their letters. Once the letters were written we mailed them off to Santa! (SHHH- I mailed them to my sister!!! Who wrote them back in such a creative way!) The genius here is that I had Eddie bring them back from his visit to Santa and the North Pole one night! That morning was so magical! They were amazed that Santa had returned their letters and even more surprised that Eddie was the one who brought them back.