Miles Has Returned & Probably For The Last Time!

December has arrived and so has Miles our little elf. I still can't believe he continues to return ,every Christmas season, but I have a strong feeling that this will be his last year here. I will always remember the first time he arrived at our little house in Blackwood. And again when we moved to Windsor. It was so fun watching Noah and Chelseas reaction every morning in a different spot doing the funniest things. But I have a feeling that this will be Miles last year visiting us. 

Noah has been sending me Tik Tok videos in regards to "elf on the shelf" and how he sees moms giving ideas as to what to do with the elf. Noah even asked me last year if he was real and flying back to the North Pole every night to report to Santa how good he's been. Whether or not Noah still believes in him or not is fine with me. He may also be pretending to believe in Miles to make me feel better and if he is bless his heart. 

He did wake up this morning looking for him and when I told him he was on the garland on the staircase his eyes lit up. It'll be bittersweet once he goes home for good. Like forever, and when he does I will miss that twinkle in Noah's eye when he sees Miles in a different spot. Noah will be 15 next Christmas and yeah, I think this will be Miles final year with us so we better make it count this month!  

Miles Found Us!

Well, he did it. Miles found us. 

I thought that after moving from south jersey he'd lose us, but it looks like he didn't want to give up, and since he knows his way around Jersey tracked us down with the help of Santa's radar. I am only glad that he is a very simple, and laid back little elf. He just chills around the house, and doesn't pull any kind of mischief, or make messes.

Miles Our Little Elf, Is Back At Our House Again!

After wondering if Miles was returning back to our house for the holidays he finally arrived via mail yesterday on December 1st. 

I perused through pinterest and got the "mailing idea" from this website, and I'm glad that I can mock some of these ideas because let's face it...I'm not that creative! The kids were excited when they came home from school to see a small package on our porch, and ran inside letting me know we got something from the "north pole." I just loved the look on their faces as they were both holding the package. Major ear to ear smiles. They were so excited, and Chelsea had an inkling that it was Miles. Noah is still getting to know him, and after they opened it Noah remembered who Miles was...the elf on the shelf!! He's still learning. 

This morning they woke up trying to find him, and then noticed him under the tree sitting on Noah's storm trooper. Noah wasn't very pleased with that, but after explaining to him that he'll only be hanging out with him for today, and will move again some time in the night, and tomorrow he can play with his storm trooper again. 

I surprise myself sometimes at how I could have started this tradition late in age after Noah was born. Hopefully I can keep up with this tradition until he's at least 12, (or least until he realizes that Miles doesn't really fly to the North Pole, and that we are actually Santa.) I don't really regret starting this tradition, but I have advised my two oldest daughters that if they ever decide to start this tradition with their future posterity to really ponder long, and hard because once you start you are stuck in for the long haul. Especially if you plan to have a few kids. Hopefully once they do have children i hope they don't have a big age gap like me, because if they do decide to do the elf on the shelf, they'll be doing it for awhile! My two oldest girls didn't have an elf when they were younger, and I have no regrets that they didn't! 

I don't know if I would recommend this to new parents, but it has been kind of fun having a little elf around. In a way I'm glad that I was a follower with this trend, and started it because it brings a smile to the kids faces, and isn't that what Christmas should be all about? Joy, and laughter? 

So far it's been a pretty good two years with Miles being a part of our family around the holidays, and one thing I'm mostly grateful for is the fact that he's a good elf. From the very beginning I told the kids that our elf is going to be a very, very, kind, agreeable, laid-back, chilled, well mannered, good, little elf. I mentioned to them that he will not be one to pull any kind of shenanigans like most of the other elves do. I reminded them of how I am with the house not being in disarray, and how Miles understands that there will be no tricks, or major messes! The kids were okay with that, and they fully understand, and are glad that's he's good. 

I honestly believe that this will be the last popular trend that I'll do for the kids, because it's a lot of work. I'm glad that it's only once a year, and that it makes the kids happy. I'll only be a follower this one time, and because the elf on the shelf is so dainty, and kind of creepy looking i was sold on it. 

So here's to Miles finding his way back to our house, and for the next 23 days let's hope he'll continue to make the kids smile, and laugh! 

"Miles" The Elf Is Back.

Last Christmas when we started the tradition of elf on the shelf I honestly didn't know what I was getting myself into. I had no clue what I was going to do with this elf, and how I was going to find the energy to have our little guy maneuver around the house without any shenanigans. Pinterest was a blessing, and after sing some of the stunts that some of these elves pulled off were a bit too overwhelming for me. There is so much creativity involved in how one portrays their own elf and some of their actions are funny, dumb, a little appropriate, and way over kill for my taste. I tried to mimic some of their ideas, but decided to be creative on my own. I decided that our elf was going to be filled with simplicity, and it wasn't until I saw this photo on Instagram after the Connecticut school shooting that changed my whole perspective on how I viewed the elf. Although this little elf doesn't really creep my kids out too much, or has added any stress to our lives so far this year I realized that our elf can truly be a "fun, simple blessing", and a good "silent" friend in our lives. Even though I've pinned sooooo many ideas of what "Miles" can do I made the decision that I wasn't going to use this little guy as a behavior tool, and that he is going to be an easy going elf, and that I wasn't gonna go out of my way for him to have a good time, and cause havoc in our home. 

So ever since Miles stepped into our home on December 1st, he has been pretty laid back. On the first day Miles arrived, Noah & Chelsea woke up they immediately looked around the house to see where he was. Noah mostly laughs at the little guy, and doesn't say much. He'll look at him with a huge grin, and say "why is he just sitting like that?" I think Noah is still young to understand why we have this elf, or maybe he realizes that he's part of Christmas, and that he comes out only at Christmas along with the other decorations we have downstairs. He even asked me if I took him out of the basement this year which is weird because he is tucked away in a pretty good hiding place. He's a very smart little boy, and again it could just be that because he's dressed in red, an elf, that he exemplifies Christmas. Sounds good to me, but to be totally honest...Noah doesn't show too much interest in him.  I think that if our elf was somewhat of a transformer that Noah would totally be interested in him! ha ha! As a matter of fact he moved him the other day from sitting next to my favorite goblet glasses to lying down on them! When Chelsea asked why he moved him he said, "because he's tired of moving around all the time." I think he wanted to see if he was real, and if he could move. That was the first time our elf was touched! But you know what? I don't care. As long as Noah find's him amusing with no ill feelings towards him & that Chelsea doesn't mind if baby brother moves him around is no big deal to me!  

Chelsea will be entering the double digits soon and it amazes me how her mind is truly a child's one. She really believes in the magical part of Christmas when it comes to Santa & our elf, & it's sweet the way her imagination flows. Having a teacher last year who had an elf on the shelf in their classroom got her even more excited in really believing in all the joy and magic that elves bring. That was also the time when she discovered that all elves are different, and that the one in her classroom was kind of like ours. Well behaved, and having fun in the process. I personally wanted Miles in my home specifically for the holidays to ease our stress, and make us happy...not to discipline our kids, and wear us out. 

There will be no slashing furniture with a knife, or bathing in the bathroom sink with Barbie (Chelsea has never even played with barbies), no making huge messes in the kitchen spreading sugar or flour all over my kitchen counter. 

What there will be is simplicity, and calmness. 

So far we have found Miles sitting in a huge bowl of cocoa puffs, sitting quietly under their small Christmas tree, hugging our Jesus statue on the piano, making himself look pretty sitting inside our bowl of christmas potpourri (he'll definitely smell good throughout the month of December), and yesterday he got stuck inside a glass jar full of cupcake liners. He's been a fun elf & if he's trying to make these kiddies laugh it's working! 

Chelsea's expression in words when she saw him bathing in a huge bowl of cocoa puffs, "mom...Miles is bathing in cocoa puffs instead of marshmallows. Funny elf." My expression in words was, "He's wasting food, and that's unacceptable!" So we carefully grabbed the bowl, and slowly poured some of it into a bowl for breakfast for the kids, and luckily Miles was undisturbed this time. 

One thing I do have to add about him being a "different" elf are his eyes. It's all in the eyes right? How one comes off when they look at you. Chelsea did mention how funny he is that he's always looking sideways, and never forward. I personally believe it's all how we view our elf. I look at him as being fun, not creepy. Sweet, and not mischievous. Caring, and not rude. Sensitive, and not callous. His rosy cheeks indicate that he's happy all the time, his hair neatly tucked in inside his hat tells me that he's well groomed, and he's always looking sideways because he's too shy to look us straight in the eye with those big brown eyes of his. It's all at how we look at him, and so far he's a keeper. 

I'm not sure how much longer my kids will believe in him, but it has been a real joy without too much added stress  or creativity to have Miles in our home during Christmas, and as long and he is well-behaved, and contains himself in a proper manner he is welcome in our home every Christmas until the time comes for the kids to grow older, and possibly say goodbye.

And it will be up to them if they want to build this tradition  with their future posterity. 

Who knows, but for now I will continue to do it with grace and always instill my kids the real reason for this season. 

. 

our elf is good.

Last year I bought this elf on the shelf as a gift for the kids. I told them that we would start this tradition this year, and to tell you the truth it hasn't been too bad. 

I read this article this morning, and this blog post, and all I have to say is, "Wow!" The things people write can be so judgemental, offensive, and such a turnoff. I just click the button, and the desire diminishes to no longer read their writings. 

I don't care how real someone can get as a columnist, or a blogger, but have some tact...especially when it comes to families building traditions (such as the elf on the shelf.) Nothing against these ladies because we are all entitled to our own opinions as to what we write, but still... I could never write something that says, "having an elf on the shelf in your home makes you a bad parent."

Okay...back to my elf opinionated post.

I bought the elf on the shelf before it became popular on Pinterest. I didn't know the extent of the story, or what this elf was about other that he looked cute on a box. The fact that it had a book in it sold me. I came home, put it downstairs in my Christmas bin, and waited until this year to get him out.  

For the past week we have moved him around a different spot every night. Even though I pinned so many ideas on Pinterest in which hundreds of followers have re-pinned, I don't want to bother with those elaborate scenes. Especially the mischievous ones. 

And so after reading the aforementioned article in its entirety this is what I commented:

"Every parent is different, and I personally did start the tradition of the elf on the shelf this year. I don't do the elaborated scenes that are posted on pinterest, and I don't make him a "big deal" in our house. Jesus, time, and love are number one in our home. Not that I'm comparing the elf to Santa or Jesus Christ, but I do tell my two youngest children that they are always being watched. I find balance in my life, don't believe in clutter, I am Hispanic, endured a lot when I was young, and was raised by a single mom for awhile, and didn't grow up with any traditions. I am happy for these traditions, and it doesn't make anyone  a bad parent for wanting to include a little elf in their house. If you don't make it stressful it can be fun for the kids to wake up in the morning to find him sitting on a bookshelf reading, or on the tree holding an ornament as if he is decorating it, or on the kitchen counter holding a tiny napkin as if he is wiping it. Those are simple gestures, and are teaching the kids that his is a good elf...not mischievous. It's not hard to implement good ideas if you make the time, and are organized. I have four children with one entering college next year. Believe me...I have a lot on my plate, but find time to love our children while entertaining them too! Just my thoughts, and wanted to share. Thanks."

I didn't attack the writer like some of the other commenter's did, but I did give my opinion...a tactful one at that. Apparently teachers, and many parents have started this tradition. 

If elf on the shelf isn't for you, and your mind is saying, "not another marketing non-Christian tradition" then don't do it, and please stop complaining. There are many reasons why families start traditions. Life is too short to have the attitude of Scrooge...especially during the holidays.

Like I said, there are no Bah Humbugs in this house!

I am fortunate enough to have two self sufficient daughters who have helped put "Miles" (that's our elfs name) out exhibiting good behavior. There are many simple ideas that Miles can do while he is in our home throughout the month of December such as knitting, doing yoga, reading a book, roasting a marshmallow, and...

Kneeling over the baby Jesus. 

We can make the elf on the shelf simple, and sweet. We all have opinions about life, and why we start traditions...especially at Christmas time. 

No parent is perfect, but I do know this....I am not a bad one for starting this tradition. You don't have to be crafty to have an elf on the shelf...just a loving heart with a good attitude, and an elf who exhibits good behavior.