It’s been some time since I talked about our Elf on the Shelf, Elfie. 2012 in fact. Wow.
Yet, it’s always been the usual. Move the elf, forget to move the elf – etc etc. It’s relatively routine when it comes to Elfie, the girls still love him to bits, eager to jump out of bed each morning to see where he is. Sure makes getting ready for school easier, versus the ‘I want to sleep more’ hassle I usually deal with. So, they look forward to Elfie’s stay each year, and for the most part it’s about a dear friend and fun {albeit just a bit of work for myself}.
Yet, when something memorable happens with parenting twins +1, I just have to share.
This is an Elfie story that happened last night.
Elfie spent yesterday in a bath of marshmallows and a rubber ‘duckie’, one which the twins think inspired the Poker Face song. As I walked past Elfie after dinnertime, I glanced down and noticed that a ton of the marshmallow bubbles were gone.
“Who ate Elfies tub bubbles?!“, I said while looking at the twins, of course.
At first they denied everything, as always, yet with a ‘we got caught’ look on their faces.
I thought of dropping the issue since it IS marshmallows and they ARE just 6 years old. That’s a pretty big temptation just sitting on the table, and I don’t really enforce the policing side of Elfie.
But then I decided that this was a good time to reinforce the fact that not everything in this house, is theirs. We all need to respect each others items and space, and ask before taking something that is not yours.
So, I started in .. “WOW, I can’t believe you stole from Elfie, right in front of his face. He’s gonna tell Santa tonight. And so close to Christmas? What were you two thinking?! I sure wouldn’t have done that …”
You guys, the look on my twins faces made me stifle a smile and break my heart, all at the same time. Absolute puppy dog eyes with tears forming at the bottom, the look of true regret all over – and I do believe their ears dipped a little too. My husband had to walk away because he hated them looking so completely sad, like every single kitten in the world died at one time.
So, it worked yet maybe a bit too well though.
Then I wondered what I do, as Elfies mover. Do I not move him that night or does he stay put because they were ‘bad’? Do I leave a letter from Elfie stating that he saw them, and wasn’t impressed? Maybe a reminder from Santa to be respectful and not steal? Ugh, so much work for me.
So, I suggested the twins write a note to Elfie, apologizing for their behaviour and maybe, just maybe – Santa won’t bypass them on Christmas.
Hard at work in the office, with a table-full of paper and crayons, the twins handed me their letters later that evening.
Seriously, the cutest letters. Ever.
Here’s Sophia’s apology, a folded card with writing on the outside and inside.
Translation: {outside} I’m Sorry. {Inside} I’m so sorry. Sophia
And this is Katelyn’s apology to Elf on the Shelf, Elfie:
Translation: I’m sorry for doing about marshmallows. I’m very sorry. I love you. {and then on the right side} Elfie I love you.
Awwww!!! Seeing this was amazing. My twins have had past struggles with speech and language, which also carries over to letters and spelling – for them to do this completely on their own, is remarkable.
Ok, so at this point of absolute cuteness with such a genuine and heartfelt apology, all was good again. In fact, this whole experience made me very proud.
Do you have Elf on a Shelf?
Robin says
We do have an EOTS and I will be happy when he decides to go back to the North Pole. Permanently. It’s too exhausting to keep up with.
Tammi says
AGREE! … already wondering where he should go tonight. lol
Jennifer Sikora says
My daughter who is 17 wants one of those things because she thinks they are cool. I am SO not ready to jump on the bandwagon. NEVER! Love your idea though and I bet your boys learned a very valuable lesson.
Tammi says
I debated for a year before I did, and it is fun. Like I said, they find it fun and consider him a great friend for the holiday season. That being said, every store sells them – so it’s kinda ruined the whole ‘sent from Santa’ thing. Oh well.
LILLIAN BROWN says
My grandchildren love their Elf
Catherine R. says
Their letters are adorable, I think you handled the situation wonderfully. Thank you for sharing.
Tammi says
Well thank you! 🙂
Sharlene says
I don’t have an Elf – I never heard of an Elf on the Shelf until last year (yes, I’ve been living under a rock, lol). It’s great that the girls wrote a note – my daughter also writes the word sorry like that!
Tammi says
All the time! I took the girls to school and when I got home I found a note from one of my twins that said ‘mom I’m sad’ … it bothered me all day, it made me sad all day thinking about it. I mean, she was fine when I dropped her off! Turns out she had a hole in her fave pair of socks … yep, my girls wear their hearts on their sleeves that’s for sure!
Paula Dumont says
OMG – that is the cutest story, ever! I, however, happen to detest the Elf, but still, your girls are very sweet and obviously had a lot of guilt.
Brenda Roy says
Aahh those poor kids! I mean; what 6 year old can resist mini marshmallows!
Tammi says
Haha, it’s ok Gramma. They are perfectly fine, all is good. A little tough love is ok now and then. lol
gvenny says
We don’t have an Elfie in our home but I’ve enjoyed seeing what other families o with theirs on Facebook.
Tammi says
Ha, I love it too. 🙂
Amber Edwards says
I can totally see this as a great learning experience. I love how Elf on the shelf is fun, but also helps to teach kids to be good. We don’t have one, simply because I would never remember to move him. But I think he is cute.
Soozle says
Awwww 🙂 That is too sweet.. and yeah, who could have resisted those marshmallows 🙂
Dawn says
We don’t do Elf on the Shelf. My only child is a 14 year old teenage boy, so we’re pretty much past that stage.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love how you handles this and the girls reactions. The letters are just precious and so are your daughters.
Kelsey Apley says
My niece does this and loves her elf Susie! I think if we had kids I would make it a tradition!
Tammilee Tips says
What adorable story! Also what a great lesson for your twins!
Kristy says
I have one, but it’s still in the box. I wasn’t sure that my 2.5 year old would “get it” quite yet and with 2 month old twins, I didn’t think I’d have the time or energy to do it right. Maybe next year.
caryn s says
Too cute i love their letters! I don’t know if i could make it with the puppy dog eyes!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
LOL! That is going to be one “clean” elf! What a cute shot!
LauraOinAK says
No Elf on the shelf at our house. I love how they apologized, though.
Darlene W says
Looks like fun for everyone
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
We have an elf, but she just watches for fun. I am scared that if I use her for discipline it will go too far!
Liz Mays says
Uh oh! They got caught! Their apologies are adorable!
lisa says
We love elf on the shelf here!! We have him every year
Kristin says
oh my gosh those letters are priceless! We don’t do the elfs but we have fun watching everyone else and what their elf is up to.
Erika Belanger says
Awe I bet they felt so guilty! I know all about wanting to laugh and cry with them at the same time lol. Kids are so awesome. Their letters are adorable!!
nicolthepickle says
Aww, what a cute story. I don’t have an elf on the shelf, no Santa either, but I do understand the puppydog faces.
Amy Desrosiers says
Aww, this is so cute! My son ripped our Snowy out of our stocking the other morning and the girls freaked!!! The baby would not give it back either lol!!
Cheryl says
Aww too cute. The wonder in a kids eyes is just amazing 🙂
Judy Cowan says
We don’t have an elf, even though I do like seeing some of the ideas that people come up with for them. Very cute apology letters and I am sure Elfie will forgive them 🙂
Stephanie LaPlante says
HAHAHA OMG so cute! I would’ve loved to see a picture of those adorable puppy dog faces! I really want an Elf on Shelf.
Anne Taylor says
Aww so cute! A good time for a lesson is never to be overlooked imho! Good for you!
ps I can’t stand that elf lol
LILLIAN BROWN says
Love the Elf stories
Ali P says
We have one, and my girls think she’s pretty awesome! Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it’s only for a couple weeks, and the look on their faces when they find her in the morning is priceless!
Jenn Andrews says
We have an elf, and we move it nightly when we remember as well, but ours does not get into things. He loves to hide.
Susan T. says
That is super cute! I’m really glad I don’t have kids because I find the elf really creepy!
Maureen Anderson says
These are so cute. Love how kids minds work.
Carmen B. says
hahahaha….that is so cute! I love it!! I can’t wait for my boys to get a little bigger so that I can cherish all their cute little notes! It is too adorable! Thank you for sharing
Alena Belleque (The Homemade Creative) says
Awww ♥ Your girls are too sweet! We don’t do Elf on the Shelf, but I’m thinking about doing a variation next year, as my daughter will be three and a half. We don’t do Santa, so the original doesn’t really make sense for us to do.
Gabriel Bregg says
Last year was our first with an Elf, and he was the usual mischievous kind, but this year, Santa sent him back with a mission – He’s been leaving notes for the kids to do good deeds and volunteer work and it’s been fun for everyone. We have it a little lucky as two of ours go to their dad’s three days a week and the little little ones are much easier to impress than the bigger kids.
Candace Evanisky says
Don’t have an elf on a shelf but know alot of people who do
Ginger Mommy says
What a cute idea having the elf in a bath with marshmallows. I can not blame the girls for eating the marshmallows as I would as well.
Lee-Ann says
I actually find the elf on a shelf a bit creepy…don’t think I could ever have done it in my house….kudos to those that can – I have sure seen some very inventive activities!
Rick F says
I must be living in a cave. This is the first year that I am aware of the Elf On A Shelf. I’d love one of these.
Anna W says
We do not have an elf on the shelf yet, my kids want one so bad but I don’t think I could remember to keep up with it!
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
Very cute! We have Chuck and Charlotte. Two Elves to remember to move each night! LOL
Silvia D says
What sweet girls! Just love it! We donot have anElf on the Shelf but reading and seeing all the stories and pictures maybe next year!
Tiffany (A Moms Take) says
The kids have been asking about their Elf, and I’m just too lazy to do it this year. I made up some story as to why their Elf hasn’t come to see them this year.
mongupp says
I have never understood Elf on the Shelf! But i love the movie Elf!
Mishelle says
The whole Elfie thing weirds me out to no end so we don’t have one here. I heard some stories about Elfie with a knife to really weird out the children which just makes me even more happy not to have one!!
M
Holly says
Aww the letters are adorable! It is very hard to resist marshmallows! lol. They sound like great kids!
No Elf on the Shelf here, but I do enjoy seeing everyones photos of their Elf and the mischief he or she gets into!
Jenn says
That is such a cute little story! Great idea using marshmallow as bubbles too!
Laurie P says
Those letters are priceless! I think it was a great idea to have them write letters…
Amanda MF says
Oh my goodness, how adorable is this? 🙂