Francisco... the elf on OUR shelf

The Christmas season is surely upon us... we've started some really fun traditions here in Ririeville, like: collecting ornaments from all of our vacations, our annual SIP & SEE (we stop at Starbucks for some hot chocolate then go "light seeing", make a clothing donation, we take out all of our favorite Christmas books and set them out for the month to read at night, take pics for cards, watch some Christmas classics (How the Grinch..., A Christmas Story and Carol, Frosty and Rudolph, Scrooged (not with kids, but it's super funny) make goodies for friends and neighbors, check out Discovery Green at least once before Christmas, follow The Christmas Story nightly and sing hymns from the binder a dear friend made me, Dad reads us Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve...but THIS YEAR, We've added a new little tradition that went over 100 times better than I thought. We've tweaked the Elf on the Shelf concept a little and given our elf the name Francisco, we thought it only fitting being that our household is predominantly Hispanic. We read the original story to the kids, but I changed a few things while reading (the little ones didn't know any better) So, instead of him being seen and untouchable, he is never seen and just leaves little gifts, games, and family activities somewhere in the house for them to find everyday. This was day one... I plant the note then I'll tell the kids that Francisco left them some pictures of all the crazy "elf" things he did while they were sleeping. Mia flipped, she loves it! She asks for him all day long. He's super bossy, and a little cranky, but really sweet for leaving all these goodies. So, keep checking back to see what he's up to. The kids love them some Francisco, hmm, that's fun to say F r a n c i s c o!


so naughty, playing with their carnival

This was day 3, he left them a foam craft and then took a dip in the garden tub...huh elves?

Yay, we got our tree, it's a little guy this year because of the move, but I'll be happy about that when it's time to dispose of it... Happy Holiday!!