Elf on the Shelf 2013. Days 1-7...

Those little elves have been BUSY 'round these parts!

Check out what Tangled & Guy have been up to this week at our house...

*Click on photos to see it enlarged*

December 1st
The Elves arrived by landing in their stockings and bringing them an Advent calendar for the month...along with a little "rule reminder" note about not touching them and behaving.  LOL!

December 2nd
They made a quick "pit stop" in my hometown of Porcupine, ON to bring them some special presents from our friends.  Thanks again Karen, Kevin, Darcy & Megan! xoxoxo  (We like to spread out the Christmas "LOVE" and I couldn't think of a better way to do it than having their Elves bring them some gifts from loved ones throughout the month!  I feel they appreciate it things more that way....)

December 3rd
Tangled and Guy brought them their own Christmas Trees for their rooms!  Ave & Bryce LOVE that their lights come on every morning and shut off every night when Santa "flips the switch from the North Pole"...truly magical!

December 4th
They SAW London...They SAW France....they brought Ave & Bryce some new UNDERPANTS!!!

December 5th
Tangled & Guy thought they'd just "SLINK" around for the day.  You should have seen Ave & Bryce's surprised looks when they saw them hanging from the loft down to the living room.  Bryce asked if he could try that and I said..."UMMM....NO! " LOL!  They also brought them some really cool projection night lights for their bedrooms...

December 6th
Oral hygiene is pretty important around this house AND so is candy (from time to time).  Sooooo, these naughty little elves wrote them a special message on the bathroom mirror, brought them a cool lollipop treat AND most importantly NEW toothbrushes!!

December 7th 
The kids LOVE that Daddy Dave reads to them every night, so Guy & Tangled thought it was time for some new books for the holiday season.

Well, those were the adventures of the week.  Be sure to come back next weekend to see what these Elves have been up too!

Happy Elfing Everyone!

Gumby-fy your Elf. Time to get that little Santa Spy WIRED...

Have you ever wondered how some of those Elf on the Shelf's do all those really cool things in some of those pictures you see floating around the net?  

How the heck is THAT elf sitting all on it's own without it being tied or propped up against something?

 How'd DOES that Elf keep their legs up in the air like that??

Ya...so did I wonder.  Then I was told my Elves needed to get "WIRED".  My girlfriend swore up and down that it was as easy as pie to do but I avoided it like the plague all last season.

However, today, in the midst of a blizzard and while the kids had their afternoon nap...I GUMBY-fied Tangled and Guy AND GUESS WHAT?  It was easy peasy!

I took pictures to "prove" just how simple the process is (which only took 20 minutes per Elf)  and I can't wait for these Elves to do some very interesting pranks this month...you know, now that they are WIRED...LMAO!

*To view pictures closer, just click on the image*

Step #1 (Legs & Torso)
Gather your supplies;  Wire, wire cutters, stitch ripper, needle and red thread, scissors & of course your elf

Step #2
Using the stitch ripper, make a slit in the bottom of one of the legs

Step #3
Using the stitch ripper, make a small incision on the very top of the leg and very bottom of the torso.

Step #4
Cut a piece of wire the length of the entire Elf (from the neck to the toe), leave a little extra (you can cut this off once it is in and just before you sew).

Step #5
Feed the wire through the bottom of the leg all the way to the top of the leg and find the small incision you made and poke the wire through...

Step #6
Now poke this wire through the incision you made at the bottom of the Elf's torso and then push the wire all the way up to the bottom of the neck.

Step #7 
Now snip any extra wire off so that it will slip to the length of the leg and sew this closed.

Repeat this process for the other leg.

Step #8 (Arms)
Using the stitch ripper, make a slit at the top of the arm of the Elf by the shoulder.

Step #9
Cut a piece of wire the length of the Elf's arm and feed it through the slide it down to the Elf's mitt, cut off any excess wire and sew it shut.

Repeat this process for other arm.

Done, done AND done!!

9 (or so) Easy Steps to making your family's Elf THAT MUCH MORE exciting and functional!

Happy Elfing Everyone!

I'm Back. I MEAN "their" back! 25 Days of Elf on the Shelf...

Ok, so I am NOT dead.  I am just BUSY!!  Life has really seemed to get in the way changed the amount of time I have to blog.  That being said, it HAS NOT gotten in the way of planning and preparing for another "ROUND"of Elf on the Shelf for Ave & Bryce.

Like LAST YEAR, I have developed a PLAN-O-ACTION and I also intend to take daily pictures to share the wonderful and often amusing adventures of Ave's Elf, Tangled AND Bryce's Elf, Guy.

I should probably disclose at this time that GUY is...ummmm....missing.  Yes.  Yes, he is actually MIA.  Between taking him to Florida last year and then back (maybe? I think?!?!) he has decided to play a "trick" on this Mama and well, I AIN'T laughing.  At. All.  (I suppose Karma is a $itch! LMAO!)

Since we are 4 days away from ElfMania 'round here, I went out and bought ANOTHER "Guy" and I should ALSO probably disclose at this time that THIS Elf is not the same ethnicity as the original "Guy". WTH?  Allow me to explain....the NEW "Guy" is Caucasian and the old "Guy" was...ummmm....not.

It is with great hope that neither my son nor my daughter notices the ethnic difference and it is with GREATER hope that the original "Guy" shows up in the next 4 days so I can return the NEW "Guy" we can avoid any awkward moments and/or conversations at this time because they are ONLY 3 1/2 and I really DO NOT want them to figure out that Elf on the Shelf is some made up behavioural modification tool to make mine and MANY parents lives a little more "easy" for 25 days of the year...you know what I'm saying.  RIGHT?!?!?!

Anywho, without further delay, here is this year's 25 Days of Elf on the Shelf Starring Tangled and (new, possibly...HOPEFULLY...original) Guy:

Dec 1st-  THEY’RE BACK!!!! Elves will leave a special note with the Elf on the Shelf Movie with some popcorn and treats to watch in the morning to remind them of the “rules”!!!

Dec 2nd- Elves will deliver their personalized decorated mini Christmas trees to kid’s rooms in the morning

Dec 3rd-  Elves will have covered the bathroom mirror with shaving cream and wrote “I peed and poo’d in your potty just like you!”  The toilet will have a few mini-marshmallows and green or red food coloring in it.

Dec 4th- The Elves will have left a note saying that they are late getting back from the NORTH POLE this morning…when they return from pre-school the backyard will be a blow-up Winter Wonderland!

Dec 5th- Elves will leave poorly wrapped gifts under the tree and they will have tape and matching paper stuck to them while they hang form the tree

Dec 6th- The Elves will be doing their morning exercises on the mantel with marshmallow weights.

Dec 7th- Elves will be driving Ave’s Barbie Car with one of her Barbies and one of Bryce’s truck with his military man on the mantel.

 Dec 8th- The Elves will have wrapped gifts for them to bring to their friends birthday party in the afternoon…the kitchen and/or living room will be decorated for a birthday party with them and some of their toys wearing hats!

Dec 9^th- Elves will be sticking out of a box of Rice Krispie Cereal with a tray of Rice Krispie Treats to bring to their friends at pre-school!

Dec 10th- Elves hold a sign that tells the kids to go look in the mirror and they will be holding a paintbrush with red paint on it. (Paint kids noses red at night/early morning)

Dec 11^th- The Elves will be sliding down the stairs banisters in one of each of their shoes.

Dec 12^th - Elves will have put crepe paper across the opening of the top of the stairs and bottom of the stairs for them to “break threw” in the morning!

Dec 13^th-  Elves will have replaced every single picture in the house with pictures of themselves and left a camera for each of them to take their own pictures.

Dec 14^th  Elves will have something special for the kids to bring to see Santa at their Christmas Party today.

Dec 15^th  Elves will have strung new underwear from one end of the mantel to the other

Dec 16^th  Elves will be ice skating on a bowl frozen with water and candy canes for skates.

Dec 17^th- Elves will be hanging from the top loft to the family room in slinkies.

Dec 18^th- Elves will have crepe-papered their playroom entrance.

Dec 19^th- Elves will be having a “snowball” fight with cotton balls or mini marshmallows

Dec 20^th- Elves will be “tied” up to the beam in the kitchen with all of the plastic army guys holding them hostage.

 Dec 21^st – Elves will be having a tea party with all of Ave’s dolls/barbies

Dec 22^nd –Elves will be hanging on the computer with a special message from each of them from Santa (through a website that I need to find…LMAO!)

 Dec 23^rd - Elves will be hanging from the fireplace with a “Santa Bag” of small gift bags to bring to their pre-school friends.

Dec 24^th  Elves will bring a special “Christmas Eve” package with PJ’s, a movie and treats.

Dec 25^th- Elves will serve a special Christmas breakfast to say “good-bye” and the kids will be allowed to touch them to give them a hug bye-bye…until next Christmas or until they are bad…LMAO!

This year’s “back-ups” for misbehavior and/or braking the rile of NO TOUCHING…

*   Elves will be hanging from our “That’s It!  I’m calling Santa” sign with a “naughty note” hanging form it! (misbehavior)

2.      *  Elves will be “sick in bed” the following day OR day after depending on how “intentional” the TOUCH was. (breaking the NO TOUCHING rule)

Come on back on the 8th of December to check out IF I stayed to the "plan" or not (likely not).  Regardless, I am sure it will be tons of fun to read and see!!

Happy Elfing Everyone!

Preschool. Building Independence. Theirs AND Mine.

Ave and Bryce started Preschool last Friday.  

I THINK this is where I am suppose to say something along the lines of, "I am just so heart broken.  I cried and cried that first day, thinking about how our 24/7 time together was coming to an end and how I WISH I could just have one.more.day. of them HERE, at home, with ME!"  But honestly, I don't feel that way.  Not really.  And for me AND my children, this is a good thing.  A really good thing.  Let me explain...

Don't get me wrong.  I do have moments of feeling like the time has gone way too fast and I can get a tiny bit choked up when I think about a time, that I know is not too far off, when I wont be the center of their universe and how I will be the last person they will want to "hang with".  I do.  Honest.  However, I also think about how my #1 job as their mom (next to lovin' them with all my heart) is to teach them and guide them to become respectful (and respected), loving (and loved), responsible...INDEPENDENT human beings.  And for me, heading off to Preschool is the first step of so many ahead in seeing them achieve this.  It's also a stepping stone for me in regaining some of my independence, even if it's only for 2 1/2 hours a day, 2 days a week.

Anywho, back to the first day of preschool...

We had been talking about school for some time and when the day finally arrived for them to get "suited up" their eyes could have lit a dark room.  They were so excited to meet their teacher.  They were a tad disappointed when I loaded them into the van though...they had assumed they'd be going to school on a bus like all the other "kids" do on TV.  LMAO!  Ave was all about making some new friend while Bryce was more concerned about whether there would be trucks for him to play with or not...LOL!

On the first day, parents were expected to stay with their children to alleviate any separation anxiety so you can imagine the teachers surprise when Bryce kept asking when I was going home.  It was only a 1 hour introduction class but I already know that they are going to grow leaps and bounds in their new environment.  I am also pretty sure that my son is going to give his teacher a run for her money because as she handed him his school bag and snack kit (which they provide for each child), this is the conversation that ensued:

Ave had just been handed her bag and pink snack kit to which she replied, "Thank you.  I love pink.  Pink is my favorite color!"

Teacher- "Bryce, please come up and get your bag and snack kit".  In her hand was a green container.
Bryce- "Oh no...no...no.  This is not going to work."
Teacher- "Why?  Why is this not going to work?"
Bryce- "Blue is my favorite color.  Not green."
Teacher- "Oh.  Well I'm sorry but there are no blue snack kits, only green ones.  That's ok right?  This one will work."
Bryce- "Ummmm...it's not really ok.  This will not work."
Teacher- "Well then,  I guess you wont be able to bring any snacks to school because all I have to give you is a green snack kit."
Bryce- As he stepped up to get the bag and kit he says, "I was just kiddin'.  Green is my second favorite color."

Now that I think about, she might just give BRYCE a run for his money (or toys?!?!).  LOL!

Speaking of Independence and snacks,  Check out this great idea someone on Facebook posted about getting kids to make their own snacks/lunches.  I came home with the kids after their first day and saw this totally AWESOME plan and put it immediately into place.

In order to help them gain independence and feel in control, they will be responsible for "making" their own preschool snacks...

They can pick ONE snack from the black basket 

and they can pick ONE snack from the fridge container.

How'd it work you ask??  Like a charm.  Check out how excited they were to make their own snacks tonight before bed.  I should have got Daddy Dave to take a picture of how excited I was too!! LOL!

Sure looks like he loves his green snack kit now eh?

Ave knew exactly what she wanted and wasted no time picking out her selections.  Hence why I only have one pic of her in action...

Bryce on the other hand wanted some "input" on what to take...

They both put their snacks in their kits...

I poured the drinks because I'm they are not quite ready for that yet...LOL!

And into the fridge they went.  I have let them know that it is their responsibility to remember to grab their snacks before we leave for school.  Again, the whole independence thingie.

I am now off to plan what I will do with my independent time.  Maybe I'll allow myself to think of what makes me sad about them growing up so I can cry and feel like a "normal" mom...

Naw!  I think I'll go grab a coffee in some quaint coffee shop and "people watch" (Maybe I need to come up with some "other" exciting ways to be independent...LMAO!).

Bye-Bye Soother Party

Don't judge me but...

Yes,  my children are 3 1/2 years old.
Yes, they still use used soothers at nap time and bedtime.
Yes, I fear feared taking away their soothers...more for me than them (I don't handle crying and screaming very well).
Yes, I rely on my hometown bestie, LeeAnn to make the "hard" decisions when it comes to raising my children...

Yes. YES!  They FINALLY said Good-bye to their soothers yesterday.

Soothers have always been a comfort.  For my children AND me.  It something they have stuck in their gubs when the pressures of their tiny worlds have come crushing down.  It calmed them and kept me calm (again, I don't handle crying and screaming all that well).

I was THAT mom that had NO PROBLEMS allowing their children to walk around ALL. DAY. LONG. with soothers.  It wasn't until I came home when they were 1 1/2 years old that my bestie, LeeAnn shut that down convinced me that it was in their best interest to transition from 24/7 usage to nap time and bedtime only.  She simply plucked those suckers out their mouths one day while visiting and told them they didn't need them anymore and that was THAT.  No crying.  No screaming.  Done AND done.

When we returned the following year when they were 2 1/2 years old she was shocked that they were still using them during "sleep times".  To be honest, everyone was...except me.  You know, that whole crying and screaming phobia I have?  Enuff said.  I wouldn't budge.  The soothers stayed...much to my bestie's dismay.

Then when we arrived this summer, she was appalled.  OK, not really but kinda.  I jokingly said that since she was the master of soother manipulation that I was saving the task of saying goodbye to them forever to her.  She jumped immediately into action and well, here is what ensued yesterday afternoon...

The Spontaneous (like thrown together in a few minutes) BYE-BYE Soother Party

When the kids awoke from their nap, the soothers had left them a letter (thanks Madison!)...

 Since I didn't feel like changing them, I gave them the choice of staying in their PJ's, which they chose.  They then placed their soothers in their bags and that's when the FUN began.  Ave was right on to the whole "why are be burning our soothers?" while Bryce was more excited about the "party and surprise"....LOL!

When we got to the fire the final letter read that they had to throw them into the fire and then a special surprise would appear and the party would begin.

 Ave kissed her soother bye-bye while Bryce became extremely concerned.  He was beginning to catch on...

Bryce is, at this point, catching on that Ave is saying goodbye to her soother and well...

...the panic begins to set in!!

Like a big girl, Ave stepped up to the fire and threw her soothers in.  We all cheered!

WTH is going on?!?!?!

Bryce on the other hand...

...had an epic break down!

He had TOTALLY figured out what was expected of him.  "I don't want to burn my soother!  I ne-e-e-e-e-d my soother mom!"  

We finally convinced him to hand the soother bag over to LeeAnn who promised to give it to a little baby while explaining that it WOULD.NOT.BE.BACK.   

He did this only so he could partake in the festivities of the s'more making, wiener roasting AND...

...trampoline-balloon-water sprinkler-jumping party!

Ave went to bed and never mentioned the long gone soother.  It was touch and go for Bryce.  He cried and screamed (which stressed me out greatly...SURPRISE!) for about 10 minutes and then fell asleep.

I thought that was pretty good and went to bed thinking that once again, a transition I feared most was pretty painless UNTIL he woke up this morning talking about how he had a nightmare last night but it all worked out because he got his "blue suess" back from a baby that had stole it.  *sigh* This might not be as painless as I thought...I'll keep you all posted...LMAO!!

THANK YOU LeeAnn & Madison for throwing the kids their Bye-Bye Soother Party.  We LOVE you guys and appreciate that you help make these "difficult times" a little more easy and super FUN for us!!