Operation Elf on the Shelf

I have several friends who have made The Elf on the Shelf part of their Christmas traditions, and I thought it seemed like a fun way to start the holiday season.

Here is the tradition: a scout elf comes to stay with your family over the holidays to watch and report to Santa if the children are naughty or nice. Every night he flies back to the NP and gives his report for the day and returns to the family the following morning. Children are not allowed to touch the elf because he will lose his magic. Every morning, it is a game to see where the elf has perched himself in the house!

First, let me assure you that Christmas at the Oz house is ALL about Jesus. The Oz kids will be the first to tell you that Christmas around here is a celebration of Jesus's birthday. We have lots of traditions that help us to remember that!! But, we also think it is fun to make Santa, and all that goes with him, part of our fun as well. Maybe you think all the Santa, elves and naughty/nice list stuff are deceptive and teach children to be dishonest.....but honestly, how many of us can look back on our childhood memories of Santa with anything other than fondness, wonder and excitement?

So, back to the Mr. Elf......This Christmas, I had already decided to make the Elf on the Shelf a part of our holiday season, but I was way too cheap to buy the book and the real deal elf. So, when I saw a vintage pixie elf at a local antique store for $3....I couldn't resist.

For weeks, I have been warning the Oz kids that an elf may be coming to stay with us to watch and report on their behavior. But after their mischief yesterday, the elf was summonsed early. While I was on the phone with G-Daddy, this is what my little friends were up to: Yep, that is pink highlighter and a black Sharpie marker adorning my freshly painted kitchen door that I spent many hours slaving over to completely strip, sand, prime and repaint back in the spring. I tried everything to get it off......but to no real avail. It just smeared into purple smudges.

So, as my children looked on in hysterics and disbelief, I simply snapped a picture of this and told them I was sending it straight to Santa himself....cruel I know :)

But, this evening, the Oz kids heard the doorbell ring and found this at the front door:

I have attempted to upload the video of what followed....but the file seems to be too large. Hopefully, I can upload it somehow soon. But, here are the contents of the letter:

Dear Karson and Brady,

I just received the letter that your mommy sent to me, and I saw the picture of the door you colored. That was quite a shame. I know how hard your mommy and daddy worked to repaint that door. My first thought was to immediately put your names on my naughty list, but because you both are usually so nice, I have decided to give you a second chance. I have spoken to the director of the elf secret service. He has agreed that you are in much need of an elf to watch over you until Christmas. From now until Christmas, he will be with you each day and watch how you act. Each night, he will magically fly back to the North Pole and report on how you have behaved. If the reports are good, I will leave you on the nice list. But, you must follow an important rule:

You must never touch your elf……or he will lose his magic and will become unreal. This will put your name on the naughty list for good.

Your elf’s name is Gisbee. He is very mischievous. You never know where Gisbee may appear each morning. Remember my rule not to touch or move him…….and remember that when we are good…we are showing others how much we love Jesus and want to be like Him. Acting like Jesus makes Santa very happy.

Be good Karson and Brady! I’d better not receive anymore photos of you two disobeying your mommy and daddy! I am expecting good reports from Gisbee so I can leave you on the nice list this year! Take care of Gisbee for me!
Much love and Merry Christmas,
Santa

This is Gisbee, our elf on the shelf.

Karson was scared and was expecting a little elf-man to be in our house :) Brady was skeptical at first that Gisbee was just a stuffed toy, but he was quickly convinced of Gisbee's authenticity. He ate his dinner like a champ......and he ran back into the kitchen to check on Gisbee the rest of the evening. He even prayed for Gisbee to have a safe flight back to the North Pole this evening and to return safely back tomorrow.

We are hoping Gisbee will help the Oz parents have a little bit better next couple of weeks :)