Eli the Elf

Elf on the shelf is quite the thing this year. I didn't know much about it and was fine with the ignorance until my mom asked if she could buy it for the kids. We opted for the plush version and just the doll. I was looking up some ideas on pinterest when I came across this letter. It was so beautifully worded and armed my kids with responsibility and purpose instead of bombarding our home with a tattle tale. I contacted the lady who wrote it and she was gracious enough to share with me. I edited it a bit and chose to use it for my kids.

Dear Gabriana and Brenton...

well well well...two of my favorite little children!

First off, I have to tell you that I think you are both very special.  I know that you are filled with love for each other, your parents, but most importantly, you are filled with love for Jesus, and I know that He lives in your hearts.  He lives in mine too, so that makes us all especially special!

I had to let you know something important.  You know that whole naughty and nice list that you hear everyone talking about?  Well...truth is, that's not really true.  I don't have a naughty and nice list.  Because I know Jesus, I also know a lot about grace and getting what we don't deserve.  I know you know all about that!  Like when you make the wrong choice and when you choose to sin, Jesus gives you grace and loves you still!  And sometimes I know that your parents even give you grace too...like when you deserve to be disciplined, but they give you another chance!

I know that kids are not perfect.  I know that you guys are not perfect.  But I know that Jesus loves you all the time, and I do too.  So you don't need to worry about being on my naughty or nice list.  If you believe that I will come to your house on Christmas Eve and leave you some special surprises, then I will come!!  That's all you need...is to believe!

To help you remember about grace and about getting love even when you don't deserve it, I wanted to send you a very special treat for this Christmas season.  Since it is the first day of December, the month that we celebrate Jesus' birthday and His coming to earth to be our Rescuer, I thought you might enjoy a little visit from a very special friend of mine.

This is Eli the Elf...

He is a dear friend of mine, but he tends to be a bit naughty.  I have explained grace to him many many times, when he chooses to sin and be a stinker.  I have told him that that is why Jesus had to come...to rescue him, because he has sin in his heart.  He is beginning to learn, but I thought that if he stayed with you for the Christmas season, then you might be able to teach him some more about the way Jesus loves us even when we sin.  I know that you both are learning that you get to obey and love God because He first loves you so very much.  I love Eli so much and I want him to understand and believe Jesus and know that his heart can make good choices too because Jesus loves him so very much!!

One important thing about Eli...he is an Elf, and elves are not exactly the same as humans.  Eli stays still all during the day, but he comes alive at night.  You can talk to him, play with him...kind of like your Barbie’s, dinosaurs and baby dolls...they are not alive like you, but they can still hear you and play with you and love you.  Eli is quiet during the day, but loves to play at night once everyone else is sleeping.  That's usually when he can get into some trouble, so you'll have to watch him carefully!

When I told Eli that he was going to go stay with you guys, he jumped up and down in excitement!  He really thinks you guys are so fun, and he especially loves to go outside, so make sure that he gets to go on some walks and ride in the car while he's there.

Have fun!  I'll be back to pick up Eli on Christmas Eve when I come to drop off some surprises for you!

I love you guys so very much! 

SANTA

and Gabbi, remember to be a good example to your little brother!

On December 1st, Eli the elf made his debut.

Gabbi was THRILLED.

We were so excited for all the happenings until our plan quickly backfired.

We went from thrilled and excited to terrified and scared. Crying that she was afraid Eli would come upstairs at night or even worse, ruin our home! Gabbi thought about shoving him to the bottom of her toy box. Still that didn't ease her mind. Bernard had to promise to sleep at the bottom of the steps that evening. After finally calming her down and drying her tears, as we walked downstairs B looked at me and said, "Great idea...."

However, once Gabbi realized that Eli's naughtiness was more silly than scary, we're back to enjoying him. Here are the adventures of his first three days.

Making friends with Barbie

Caught swinging on the fan

Hanging out in the Barbie pool full of marshmallows. I told Gab he must have thought they were snow.
This time Gabbi said,  "Maybe he wants a girlfriend..."