Buddy the Elf

We had a new addition to our family this Christmas season, an "Elf on a Shelf" Elf which Carter named "Buddy."  The "Elf on a Shelf" Elves are scout elves for Santa who come with a cute book explaining the story and purpose of the elves.  As the story goes, your scout elf comes to your house during the Christmas season and watches you during the day and notes your behavior.  At night, he reports back to Santa if you have been naughty or nice.  The story also explains that you cannot touch your scout elf or his Christmas magic will disappear.  So, every night after the kids were in bed, Buddy would fly to the North Pole and report to Santa and return in the morning and hide in a new spot in the house.  Buddy found some creative places to hide for about the first 2 weeks but finding new places every day for a whole month can be hard for a little elf.  The mantle was a favorite spot that he visited a few times during his tenure here.  Carter really loved finding Buddy's new spot each morning.  He also did very well with the "no touch" rule.

Christmas Eve was Buddy's last day with us this season.  As the story explains, he hitches a ride back with Santa on Christmas Eve and spends the rest of the year at the North Pole with his other elf friends.  He will join us again next Christmas season and Carter can hardly wait!