A little countdown fun

Once again, our Elves scurried around the house while we slept last night! Here is the letter they left for the kids...

Daniel & Arianna- We were starting to wonder if you were ever going to go to sleep last night. As much as we would like to play with you and your sister, we can only come to life when you are asleep!. Thank you again for the crackers and water- it really hit the spot and reminded us of the North Pole. We love being here with you, but we do miss Santa and the others! We noticed that your parents haven't turned the heater on yet this year- do you think if it gets really cold inside that it will snow??? Last night, we found your Snickerdoodle cookies that you helped your Mama make! Those are the best Snickerdoodle cookies we've ever tasted! Do you think your Mama can send the recipe to Mrs. Claus?

Do you have a hard time waiting for things that you want? When we are really excited about something coming up, Mrs. Clause helps us by making a paper chain! Last night, we found the construction paper your Mama bought and we had fun making you a paper chain of your own! Each ring stands for one day and at the end of each day, you get to remove one ring. Then you can count the remaining rings to see how many days are left until Christmas! Since Arianna can't count yet, you'll have to count for her. We're sorry that it's a little messy- we had to tear the paper because we aren't allowed to use scissors without adult supervision!!

Daniel- you and Arianna be super good today and have a great time with your Mama and Daddy! ~DJ & Tinkerbelle

Daniel thought that was really silly of them to climb in the tree. He liked the idea of the paper chain...although once he counted all of the rings, he said "wow...that's A LOT". He also said that I can't send the cookie recipe because that's our special recipe! And then of course he asked for "cinnamon" cookies for breakfast...breakfast of champs!

The Mischief has begun!

Well, our Elves were busy on their first full night with us! When Daniel got up, he looked around and said he couldn't find his Elf. He went to the kitchen to check the table and what did he find? It seems that DJ and Tinkerbelle were well rested and ready to explore. Apparently they found his Indiana whip on the floor and found a new use for it! They decided to use it to climb up the pendant lights over the kitchen island and swing around. Such silly Elves! Daniel found this very amusing to say the least! He had to bring his Daddy (who is still a little puzzled at this point) in to see what the Elves had done. They left a note as well....

Daniel & Arianna- Thank you so much for the snack and snowflakes...you made us feel very welcome and happy! When we woke up, it was quiet in here and we decided to explore our surroundings. We found this cool (although noisy) rope and thought it would be fun to swing from the lights! We sure could see a lot of things from up there...but you shouldn't try it yourself- your parents probably wouldn't like that! Remember that we're watching you and reporting back to Santa...so make sure you are extra good!! Love, DJ & Tinkerbelle

Elf Introductions!

As soon as Daniel got up this morning, he said "What is taking my Elf so long to get here?" I asked him if he had looked to see if the crackers were still there. When he went to the table and saw his Elf, his eyes got as big as his smile! We didn't just get one Elf though... we got TWO! I can't imagine how much trouble two of them can get into!


I'm sure Santa is going to have fun with that long list of things from Daniel. He left this letter along with bags of snowflakes for each of the kids...

Listen, my little friend so dear,
And you will understand why I'm here.
For the story that follows tells you why
I am here to love you, to play and to hide!

"My goodness", said Santa, "you're not looking yourself.
You're not looking at all like my jolly ole Elf".
"Well, Santa," said the Elf, with a drop of a tear.
"There's a little friend out there I'd like to be near.
I've worked so hard. I've checked the list twice,
And my special friend Daniel/Arianna has been so very nice!"

Santa sat and he thought by the night's candle glow.
And he said, "My dear Elf, I don't want to see you go.
I love having you right here by me to hug,
To see you leave gives my heart such a tug.
But you'll share kindness and goodness, and have lots of fun.
And you'll let your friend know that God brought love through His Son.
Baby Jesus was born on Christmas Day,
A gift more precious than any in my sleigh."

So Santa made up his mind and said, "I have a plan.
Gather all of the elves as fast as you can!"
When the elves were all gathered, Santa scooped up some snow.
"We will call it Elf Magic," he said with a blow.
The slow glistened and sparkled and lit up the night,
And the elves began dancing, what an incredible sight!!!

Santa began to laugh with a hearty "Ho-Ho"
And said, "There's one last thing that you all must know.
There is one special snowflake and on your heart it will stay-
A reminder of my love while you are away.
The snowflake on your heart will be the key,
A signal to all that you were sent by me.
Your friends will all know that you are the one
Who has real Elf Magic and makes mischief and fun.
So, go visit for Christmas and teach what I've taught;
That the best gifts are those that can never be bought!
That Christmas is brighter and dreams will come true
If you share love and kindness in all that you do."

With permission to visit year after year,
The little Elf beamed from big ear to big ear.
Santa gave him a smile and with the touch of his hand said,
"Go, my dear Elf, share this magical land.
Go, my dear Elf, share Christmas delight.
And come back with me on Christmas Eve night."

So, here I am to visit with you.
I want to share Christmas and all that you do.
I brought special snowflakes from my home far away;
Sprinkle me nightly during my Elf Magical stay!

I love crackers and water when the day is all done.
It gives me strength 'til the next morning sun!
At the North Pole, as you know, there is snow all around,
The crackers remind me of that crunching snow sound!
And the water I drink comes from snowflakes that melt.
On my face and my hands, oh, how cold they felt!

This Christmas will be special; I'm so happy to be here.
I've watched you from afar and in my heart you've grown dear.
I made my way here with you as my guide;
I am here to love you, to play and to hide!


DJ and Tinkerbelle are very exhausted from their long journey so they will get caught up on their sleep today. Check back daily to see what kind of Elf mischief and fun is going on in our house!!

Please Santa....send an Elf our way!!

I'm sure you all are aware of this already, but the day after Thanksgiving isn't just "Black Friday", but it's a HUGE day for Santa's many Elves. This is the day that the Elves are rewarded for all of their hard work during the year- it's an "Elf Vacation" if you will. On Thanksgiving night, Santa looks for houses with children to send his Elves to as their reward. How does Santa pick the houses? Well, let me tell you.... first the children let Santa know that they would like an Elf visit when they write their "Letter to Santa". It is certainly a long journey from the North Pole to Texas, so before bed the children leave a cup of water and crackers out to lure the Elves. I'm sure you are wondering why water and crackers...why not Diet Coke and Hershey Kisses? Well, as much as the Elves want to travel and explore, it's hard to leave the comfort of the North Pole. The crackers remind them of the crunching of the snow and the water reminds them of melted snowflakes.

So, tonight we have written our letter to Santa (boy is that thing long!!!) and placed our crackers and water on the table in hopes that Santa will send a friend our way!