Say hello to Fred.

Santa sent us an Express package from the North Pole earlier this week. Inside the box, was our very own scout elf from the ranks of Santa's finest. Santa, ever-efficient, also sent us a book that told us the job of this elf and our duties as well. Seems that Santa's best kept secret is his useage of scouts. Have you heard? Your first duty is to give your new elf a name and fill in his certificate that dedicates him into your family. The elf, in our case it's Fred, watches and listens. Fred listens and will always hear about news in the car, the park, or at school if a rule is broken. Then. THEN! Each night while you are asleep, the elf flies to Santa by way of magic. Yes, magic! He chills with his pals. He reports to Santa. He eats and takes a nap. In the morning (after the elf returns to your house), you have to find the new spot where the elf is sitting. The kids wake up earlier and earlier every day to see who can find Fred first. So far, at our house, Fred has perched in the kitchen, on the ceiling fan (see photo above) in the living room, the boy's room, and just this morning....amongst Sophy's glass elephant collection. There is only one hang-up. One rule you have to obey. You can NOT touch the elf lest he loose his magic. Fred can't speak, but we can talk to him. You can tell him your wishes, apologize for being bad, plead your case as it were. Of course, Santa has the executive decision on all things toy-ish. In the end, Fred will hear the sleigh bells on Christmas Eve and say adios to the Pinkie family. Take heart. Next year, he'll be back when it's Christmas-time again.

The info above is from a book by Chanda Bell and her mother Carol Aebersold, The Elf on the Shelf~A Christmas Tradition. The book is so neatly written, and my kids love it! The illustrations are really pretty to boot. The book comes with the Elf, and my only regret is that I didn't have this when the kids were younger. Nonetheless, they have eaten this up--even at their advanced ages. ((Smile))