Elf on the Shelf

This year The Elf on the Shelf made its debut at our house.  Dylan absolutely loved Tony Chestnut (named for an action song similar to "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" that starts "Toe-Knee Chest-Nut nose/knows eye/I love you..."  I was kind of surprised he didn't name it Dunny, his go-to name since riding Irma's horse.)  I have heard parents that love their elf and parents who are adamantly against having one.  Call me crazy, but I believe Jesus and Santa can coexist at Christmas.  I have been careful to emphasize the Savior's birth and explain that Santa and Tony help us celebrate His birthday and bring others Christmas cheer.  Our elf was not mischievous or used to discipline or threaten the loss of toys.  He was used as a teaching tool and to spark creativity.  Fine motor skills have never been Dylan's strong suit, but it's amazing how much he now loves letters and writing since Tony came along and wrote messages for Dylan to trace.  I love this sort of thing and didn't have a problem remembering to relocate Tony every night.  That being said, if it's not something you will enjoy doing I don't recommend starting this tradition.  No one needs another stresser at the end of the year. 

Tony introduced himself over breakfast.  Tony loves napkins as much as Dylan:

We took off the Cheerios so Dylan could trace the message written underneath:

Driving the Polar Express train:

 Fireman Tony:

 Ready for popcorn and a Christmas Mike the Knight movie:

Checking if anything is in his little Christmas stocking:

Reading the Book of Mormon with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus during pajama church after the ice storm cancelled real church:

We gave the boys their Christmas gift early while G-ma and G-pa were here since the police car was going to be too big to fit in Santa's sleigh to New Mexico...and too big to hide very long...and, let's be honest, too awesome to keep secret very long.  We found a sweet deal on Craigslist for this and couldn't resist:

Catapulting with Buzz Lightyear:

Pizza Party with friends:

Ready to make cinnamon rolls with G-ma and Dylan:

Helping Dylan wish G-pa a happy birthday:

Starbucks hot chocolate with Donald Duck after looking at lights:

Good-bye message for G-ma and G-pa on the Cars road rug they gave Dylan for Christmas:

Driving the tool truck:

Missing G-pa and G-ma after they left:

Looking at the mini tree lights (that's been with me since my freshman dorm room and my teaching days, hence the apple ornaments):

Visiting the angel at the top of the big tree.  What a charmer:

A friend of mine gave me this kitchen set for the boys, so Tony gave them the kitchen and grocery cart:

Tony didn't do this:

or this:

 
It was these 2 house elves...with plenty of help from their play date friends who had been here earlier that day:

 Tony told us where to see Santa, Mrs. Clause, and a few elves at the ward Christmas breakfast with Cash and Chloe:

 See ya next year, Tony!