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| Doc's Welcome Breakfast |
This season was our family's first foray into the "elf on the shelf" phenomenon. And while it did cause me a bit of stress and kept me up in the middle of the night (What am I going to do to top yesterday? Oops! I forgot to move the elf!), our buddy Doc did foster a sense of kindness and better behavior for us all. My 5-year-old had no problem reminding me that if I didn't stop being so grumpy, Doc would tell Santa to put ME on the Naughty List. I found myself speaking a little more softly and gently, smiling more often, and being being more careful with my words.
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| Decorating the tree time |
But I also learned with Doc, that good planning and preparation are key! So, that is why I am prepping this year (before Doc goes into permanent hiding in the attic for the year), so I can place my well-oiled plans inside Doc's little drawstring bag. Next year, the work will be done for me, and anything that I can have ready ahead of time will be a welcome change from this year (especially since I'll have a busy 6-year-old and an inquisitive almost-2-year-old by Christmas 2013).
My NEW AND IMPROVED (okay, my
ONLY) organizational structure includes the following:
- a set of pre-written notes from Doc for days when behavior is "extra nice" (which will hopefully be helpful in deterring the boys from being "extra naughty"). Click here for nice letters. Click here for joke printables.
- a couple of "letters from Santa" with magic-reviving glitter and hot chocolate packs, in case we have another elfen disaster. Click here for the letter to the boys and the .jpg of the border.
- copies of a daily report card rating the little man's actions and behavior for the day (a good report card will equal a quarter at the end of the day which will be placed into a jar...whatever amount he has on Christmas day, we will double for a post-Christmas shopping trip). Click here for Santa's Report Card. Click here for an elf report card.
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Cookie baking day
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- a pre-filled calendar of Doc's daily placement and activities (so I can do my job and go to bed earlier next year). Click here for the 2013 calendar.
- templates for the goodbye note from Doc. Click here for a Word and pdf version of the document.
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| Doc visits the stable. |
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| A message to the little man after a not-so-good day at school. |
Hopefully, these ideas and pre-planning will make Doc's time with us slightly more pleasant and enjoyable for the whole family. Now, if only he really were magic and could clean up all the messes created around this place!
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| Doc on the wall. |
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| Doc replaces our photos with his. |
Can't wait for the magic of the season to return next year. The little man was over the moon for the holidays this year, and I can't wait until we get to share these traditions with the baby man as he grows older.
Happiest Holidays!
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| Doc with an ow-ie... |
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| ...and a letter saying it's okay, accidents happen. |
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| Underwear on the tree. Ha! |
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| Somebody has a sweet tooth. |
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| 11 days until Santa arrives. |
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| Mission, impossible. |
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| Candy man. |
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| Snow angel. |
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| Tangled in the countdown chain. |
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| The Denver Zoo Lights (Doc delivered the tickets). |
These are some of the cuter ideas that I plan to repeat next year. I am not as much of a "trickster" as some others may be, but I enjoy any cute and clever ideas anyone has to improve my elf-ing skills.
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| Game time with the gang. |
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| A gentle reminder to donate canned goods. |
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| Just a sweet little reminder. |
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| A little reminder about the importance of good hygiene. |
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| Wipe, flush, wash. |
