The Christmas Elf in My House

I'm sure some of you are familiar with the "Elf on the Shelf" book which comes with an elf. That's not our elf. I'm too cheap...I mean frugal. The book/elf combo costs around $30. Last month I found an elf (with no book) at Hobby Lobby. On sale for under three bucks. It pays to be cheap.

The day before Thanksgiving I introduced the daycare kiddos to our new house elf. I told them that he was Santa's helper and that he would be watching to make sure we all get on the "good list". I did not put much emphasis on this as I try to focus more on Jesus than Santa. Instead I made a big deal out of the fact that he was OUR elf so we had to pick a name for him and that he'd be traveling around the house at night so every morning we would have to look for him. The kids have had so much fun with both of these tasks.

When I asked for suggestions they all started yelling out names. I threw in the suggestion of adding something "Christmas-y" such as holly, jolly, jingle, and the likes. Somehow all of the kids miraculously agreed upon Jolly George. The kids love searching for Jolly George. Sometimes they come racing through the door in the morning in search for Jolly George. Even the two year old searches for our little elf exclaiming, "Dares Dolly Deorge! I find him!" So cute. I love the excitement in the voices of the kids as they search for Jolly George and the joy in the their faces when they find him.

Can you find Jolly George?

How 'bout now?

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Stay-cation: Fun Things to Do Around Rochester, MN

Family vacations are expensive. Gas, lodging, meals...oh, and then there is the admission cost to all the cool things that you want to see. Vacations cost more than a small fortune. Now figure in the loss of income (some of us don't get paid vacations) and you've "broke the bank". Enter the stay-cation. Gas costs are reduced. Lodging is covered. Meals, although still necessary, can be made at home and packed in a cooler. This summer, instead of taking a week off, I am taking a couple long weekends. One weekend we will be traveling "Up North" to visit my husband's college buddy. Otherwise we're keeping our exploring near to home. Another benefit to a stay-cation is a little extra time for home projects. I can keep up with the laundry, instead of having a week's worth of laundry to do when I return home. Isn't that the worst part of vacation - the accumulation of dirty clothes you have to wash after being away from home all week? Gardening ca

stripped bare

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What mama did ~ LOVE

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Laurie's Everyday Notions

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