Elf on the Shelf

Clara just appeared in our daycare the week following Thanksgiving.

She was sitting on the stair banister with a note from Santa Claus on her lap that explained to the kids who she was and what she would be doing over the next month.

The note went like this:

Clara Elf spent her first evening coloring pictures for each child to find when they arrived in the morning.

That wasn't mischievous like we thought we were going to see. That was just a nice thing to do. All the kids immediately sat down and colored a picture to give back to Clara.

Oh oh! Clara Elf is being a little naughty.

She spilled the rice out all over to make "snow angels".

Clara!

Well, we can see Clara Elf was having a lot of fun last night!

She's playing the Game of Life with all her friends from our playroom.

What a mess we have to clean up now.

Clara Elf surprised us by packing a lunch for us! Unfortunately, an elf doesn't know what kids like to eat.

She packed cat treats, mushrooms, tomato sauce and honey. I offered to cook something up with these ingredients, but the kids passed.

What's going on here?

Not sure how we're supposed to wash our hands.

Clara Elf decided to take a bubble bath in our bathroom sink!

This morning, we looked and looked for Clara Elf everywhere and couldn't find her.

It wasn't until we were having our breakfast that we found her.

We opened the refrigerator door and she handed us a jug of Magical Blue Milk!

Clara Elf has made herself right at home. She's watching a movie and eating popcorn.

We think she picked the movie "Elf" because she's missing her friends and family back at the North Pole.

But really, Clara, you should not be eating popcorn at 7:00 a.m.

I didn't even ask!

We found Clara Elf hanging out of the kitchen cabinet, upside down, drinking maple syrup.

I can't come up with one single reason to do this, except that she's an elf and doesn't play the same way we do.

Hmmm...Magic Seeds?

I wonder what Clara Elf is growing for us.

We'll have to keep an eye on this pot to see what grows throughout the day.

Something's sprouting.

We have blossoms.

In full bloom, just in time for an afternoon treat!

Clara Elf is sitting in our coat closet waiting for our arrival.

She has stationery that she is giving us to write our letter to Santa.

How thoughtful of you, Clara.

This morning, Clara Elf was sitting at the computer having a video chat with Santa Claus.

We sure hope she's telling Santa to put us on the nice list!

Clara Elf brought us Christmas books to read!

We LOVE to read, so this was a great idea, Clara.

Apparently, elves like stickers as much as kids do.

Clara got into our sticker box and they're stuck all over her!

More mischief from our visiting elf.

One day during daycare, the kids and I were trying to cut out snowflakes.  They were not turning out very well.

The next day, we found Clara Elf in our craft cabinet.  She was showing us how to make beautiful snowflakes!

Yay!!!  Clara Elf is back from the North Pole.  We sure missed her!

She must have needed some time to just kick back and relax because this morning we found her playing our video games.

Today, Clara Elf asked us to play hide-and-seek with her.

It took us quite awhile, but we finally found her hiding spot.  She was perched at the top of our Christmas tree.

Brrr!!! Clara Elf built a snowman in our freezer.

You would think Clara Elf would be cold.  But she is, of course, from the North Pole.

We enjoyed the snowman, Clara!

You just never know where Clara Elf is going to show up.

Today, I asked two of the older kids to run some Christmas cards out to my mailbox.

Look who they found in the mailbox!  We all put on boots and coats to go see Clara.

On the first day back to daycare after Christmas, we found these bags of chocolate kisses on the table, along with a note from Clara Elf.

It was time for her to go home.  Good-bye Clara.  We will miss you!