We started a new Richter family tradition this Holiday season and I think the timing couldn't be more perfect. With this tradition comes a new member to our family called The Elf on the Shelf. The story goes like this: "Like most children through the ages, they want to know how Santa really knows who was naughty or who was nice. Their answer, will come in the form of a small pixie-elf."
The first time the elf arrives at our home, we will officially adopt him by giving him a name. Each year he will arrive around the holidays. His sole responsibility is to watch the children's behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after the children wake, they will discover the elf has returned from the North Pole and will be resting in a new and different place.
"To better preserve his mystique the children are not allowed to touch him but talking to him is a different matter all together." The girls will hopefully share many secrets with the elf, and while he will be under strict orders not to talk to them, the elf is under no such orders where grown-ups are concerned."
Unwittingly, the tradition will provide an added benefit (hence the reason the new found tradition is starting at the perfect time in our household): it will help the girlies to better control themselves. Just a gentle reminder that the "elf is watching," for errant behavior to be modified.
Last night, I read the book Elf on the Shelf to Annabelle which is a story about the elf and what he is all about. After, I read the book to her I asked her to think about giving the elf a name when she finds him the next morning.
When Annabelle awoke this morning it took her a while to find the elf. She found him with a little help from mom and dad. The elf was perched on top of the armoire looking at her as she sat at her place at the kitchen table. Later today, we came up with the name Fritz. When I looked up the meaning of the name, I found it to be most appropriate: peace keeper.
Already, Jon and I love our new addition to the family. He keeps Annabelle in place. If only we could find a similar helper that stayed the entire year and not just during the Christmas holidays. ;)
The first time the elf arrives at our home, we will officially adopt him by giving him a name. Each year he will arrive around the holidays. His sole responsibility is to watch the children's behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after the children wake, they will discover the elf has returned from the North Pole and will be resting in a new and different place.
"To better preserve his mystique the children are not allowed to touch him but talking to him is a different matter all together." The girls will hopefully share many secrets with the elf, and while he will be under strict orders not to talk to them, the elf is under no such orders where grown-ups are concerned."
Unwittingly, the tradition will provide an added benefit (hence the reason the new found tradition is starting at the perfect time in our household): it will help the girlies to better control themselves. Just a gentle reminder that the "elf is watching," for errant behavior to be modified.
Last night, I read the book Elf on the Shelf to Annabelle which is a story about the elf and what he is all about. After, I read the book to her I asked her to think about giving the elf a name when she finds him the next morning.
When Annabelle awoke this morning it took her a while to find the elf. She found him with a little help from mom and dad. The elf was perched on top of the armoire looking at her as she sat at her place at the kitchen table. Later today, we came up with the name Fritz. When I looked up the meaning of the name, I found it to be most appropriate: peace keeper.
Already, Jon and I love our new addition to the family. He keeps Annabelle in place. If only we could find a similar helper that stayed the entire year and not just during the Christmas holidays. ;)
Fritz
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