Happy Birthday Jesus!

With just a little less than a week before Christmas, our elves arrived with the cutest baker's cap and apron that read, "I love my elf" and "I love my family!" AND we LOVE Jesus, so we were excited when we saw that they left us all of the necessary goodies to bake a cake for Him, for His birthday!

"Oh My Goodness!'

Oh the morning of the day that the LAST Annie show would be performed, our elves knew that the ride home would be so sad!  So they hid in the car, buckled up, and were ready to support Lilah's emotions, both to the theater and home from the theater.  

Oh No! Ewe & Pew!

Oh those silly elves.  They are always up to no good.  This time, humoring our kids with all of those potty words. What happened now?

Cookies!!!l!

COOKIEEEEES! My kids love to bake them and they especially LOVE to eat raw cookie dough. That's why when I spotted this ELF cookie dough, by Pillsbury, I immediately came up with an idea and had to have it.

"I've Been Slimed!"

Welp!!! On this particular day, the elves visited Lilah's slime cabinet, where she stores all of her supplies and slime creations. 

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do!

It was a TOTALLY random elf creation.  

Life Is Art, Life Yours In Color!

On Day 9, the elves arrives with a a message that read, "Life is ART, live yours in color!" What exactly were they trying to say? Maybe we would find out more on the scavenger hunt.  If you want to use our art sign, click here.  

The first clue was found in a shoe! The clue lead the twins FIRST to their daddy's closet, but after NOT finding anything... they knew the next best spot would be in the garage. Bingo!

The second clue was found on the Christmas tree.

The third clue was found in our bookcases, where the kids keep their crafts.

The fourth clue was found under the kitchen sink.

The fifth clue was located in our coat closet!

The sixth clue was located in our pantry!

The final clue (not quite 9 clues, like originally stated and the kids not only caught on, but were bummed. They were having fun!) was in Jax's sock drawer were they were gift all new coloring supplies: Sharpies & Metallic Markers.

If you would like to create a similar elf scene, I'd be happy to email you these scavenger hunt clues. 

Did you notice earlier that along with the message the elves also left my kiddos a gorgeous tablecloth to color?

My kids were REALLY in desperate need for some NEW color supplies.  Jax, especially, loves to color. He's a great little artist.  Lilah thought the elves only meant for these new supplies to be Jax's, since they were in Jax's drawers (sigh, I can't win) so stay tuned... eventually, I had to design an elf scene around her!

My twins wasted no time letting their creative juices flow.

 I did go "LIVE" during this entire scavenger hunt, but I guess sadly... I didn't save it.  BOO! So, I guess you'll just have to use your imagination and imagine them running all through out the house at ungodly speeds to find each clue.  

Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?

On day 8, our elves arrived with the most impressive SNOW scene EVER!! You have got to check this out. It came complete with everything needed for the best snow day.  First up, (Above) snowballs for a snow ball fight and a new, "TY" snowman stuffed animal. (Below) Napoleon arrived with some new snow gear: ear muffs, a scarf, and a snow tube! Yea baby!

Then, there were some cute, snow snacks, like white cheddar cheese balls that look like snow balls, hot cocoa gold fish, a bag of marshmallows, and a jar of whip cream.  

New snow toys!  How adorable is that penguin builder? This "sno" toy came from Target (Shhh, don't tell my kids that.  They think Santa makes these gifts). Hehe. They are called Sno-Buddies.

A reminder to make snow angels.  

And to drink hot cocoa.  The reminder included a hot cocoa bar, which came complete with...

New cocoa mugs... SNOW FUN!

 
Ghiradelli hot cocoa, (duh), a candy cane, and milk chocolate lollipops.  

The chocolate lollipops were in the shape of a Reindeer and a Penguin. 

And because one of our kids loathes chocolate, our elves brought him snowflake marshmallows!

Do we have the BEST elves are WHAT?  Below, it looks like they are ready to go sleigh riding.  They brought their snow friends too.  See frosty on his sleigh? 

Oh man, a snowman squishy, a BIG wubble bubble "FULLA" snow, and some snow window clings.  Can you say, "#ElfGoals"?

And then fell the REAL snow! We got a good 10-12 inches on this day. (I think). AND how funny that TODAY, the day I share the snow scene, it's supposed to snow either tonight or tomorrow!

This elf scene was for sure WORK! And it was even worse to clean up.  LOL!  But... the memories and reactions are all worth it.  

Elf Breakfast!

On Day 7, our elves made breakfast for our children.  Man, I would let those elves stay year round if it included breakfast and dinner each day/night. 

Breakfast came complete with some Christmas Crunch, OJ, and an apple/bacon combo that looked similar to a deer.

The bacon represented the antlers.  The apple represented the deer or RUDOLPH.

I don't eat cereal because, well SUGAR and CARBS, but I won't deny this looked yummy.  I think it's been 12+ years since I have had bowl of cereal.  

Those cute Santa placemats came from Kohl's. I actually bought them last year, for the elf on the shelf, BUT failed to use them. Whoopsie! There was a reason though. I needed them for this day.   

I could handle more elf on the shelf scenes like this because it benefits everyone and isn't so messy!

Write or Happy?

 

Do you want to be RIGHT or HAPPY?!  It's a famous line I say to my children, but it's a good question for anyone to ask themselves. On day 6, our elves arrived bringing some ELF office supplies: pencils, pens, and erasers.  They did leave them a little PUN note.

I purchased the erasers at Target.  The pens and pencils came from Food Lion of all places.

Here are a few more pics (not the best quality, I apologize) of the elf supplies.

My kids were excited to bring these to school.

And when I went to their classroom party, I was excited to see that they were being put to good use.

So ask yourself today, DO YOU want to be RIGHT or HAPPY?  Sometimes, it feels better to STOP trying to prove yourself RIGHT and just be real/honest.  It might sting at first, but anytime you are real and honest, if feels so much better and results in happiness.

The Grinch Who Stole Our Elves!

On Day 5, our elves arrived bearing gifts and dressed up like the characters in the movie, The Grinch.  We are NOT big movie people, so we had YET to see the Grinch movie and our elves knew it.  

They greeted us with tickets to see the movie, in little elf envelopes.  Aren't they so dang cute?

They also brought grinch ski hats, grinch lollipops, and a sno-moji HEART maker.  I loved incorporating this gift, that I previously planned to gift to my kids in their christmas stockings. Remember, the Grinch's heart grew and grew and eventaully the true meaning of Christmas lived inside of him?

"Let's Go To The Movies!"

I would totally share my movie ticket design with you, but this idea wouldn't be able to be replicated since the movie won't be playing next year. LOL!

We did finally get to see the movie.  Lilah brought her girlfriend Salena and Jax brought his buddy Matthew.  

Although these elves are work, I cannot imagine NOT doing it.  It's an opportunity to be creative, to bless my children, and to create memories.