Elf on the Shelf

This was our second year to have a fun little visitor from the North Pole. Elfie had a harder time this year thinking of fun ways to return from the North Pole, but he somehow managed to do it every night, even the nights Bryson was not at home. Bryson loves Elfie, but he did not seem as excited about him this year as he was last year. Kind of made me a little sad. Here's all the fun mischief our silly little elf got into this Christmas season.

 Elfie arrived with a yummy North Pole breakfast and a few treats. 

 Elfie knew we were going to ride the Polar Express, so he brought Bryson the book. 

 Elfie stayed up late and ate way too much junk food. 

 He hung underwear all over the tree!

 Roasting marshmallows

 Playing video games

 He must have been thirsty. We caught him drinking our syrup!

 He decorated our kitchen with bows for our tacky party. 

 Bryson stayed at Granna's house. Elfie missed him. 

 Just hanging out in our kitchen light. 

 He made marshmallow snowmen.

 Hanging out in Bryson's new stocking. 

 We all had the sniffles, including Elifie.

 I guess he rode this reindeer home for the night. 

 Elfie brought a gingerbread house kit. 

 He's a pretty good artist!

 Silly Elfie!

 Just hanging out on our tree topper.

 Elfie went fishing.

Bryson wrote Santa a letter so Elfie brought Bryson a letter back from Santa. 

Elfie went for a drive.

 And brought Bryson home a new friend.

Bryson named him Snowflake. 

 

 

 Elfie hung snowflakes all over the house!

He wrapped Bryson's backpack.

 

 He went out with a bang on his last night. He rolled our living room with toilet paper!

It's so sad when Elfie returns to the North Pole because it means that Christmas is officially over! We are already counting down the days until his return and we can't wait for next year!

Christmas Countdown

I started this last year and we all really loved it. I wrapped 24 books and every night before bed, Bryson would open one and we would read it. It was our little way to countdown to Christmas. I like doing this for several reasons. The first, there are a ton of books I want him to have. Being a preschool teacher, I have come across a ton of awesome and cute books that I would love for Bryson to own. Second, it keeps him from wanting to open the gifts under the tree. Not to mention I love the look on his face when he opens a gift. Last year I tried to put the books in some kind of order. This year, I just wrapped them, stacked them up, and let Bryson choose one each night. It's a really great way to countdown to Christmas! I tried to get a picture of him every night with his book, but that didn't happen. Either he didn't want to take a picture, he was spending the night with Granna or Lola, or I didn't feel well. But I did get a picture with most of them!

 Before heading out to the Polar Express!

 I love all the Dinosaur books.

 He loves the movie, and he was so excited to get the book!

 He loves Bubble Guppies (not sure why he wanted to take his picture like this ha!).

 It's a scratch and sniff dinosaur book!

 Gotta have a Christmas book. And this is a cute one!

 Granna sent me these silly pictures when he stayed with her overnight.

 He loves this Monsters book!

 I love all the Llama Llama books.

 This is a book that all kids should have, especially before starting school!

 I love all these books too!

 Another amazing book that every child should own.

 He thought Elfie sent this book.

 Another dinosaur book!

 Silly boy.

 Merry Christmas little dinosaur!

 He wanted mommy to take a picture with him.

 I love collecting all the different versions of this book.

 One of my favorite Eric Carle books.

Bryson's favorite Eric Carle book.