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| image via pinterest |
Actually, I'm not talking about the movie (and btw don't even get me started on how funny I still find that movie even after 17,000 viewings!), I'm talking about Toddy ... our "elf on the shelf" - anyone who has been here a while might remember his appearances last year when little ladybug was fashioning teeny tiny handmade lunchboxes and to-do lists for him - not to mention serving him miniature portions of pie and knitting him his very own shawl to stay warm. Amazingly, this year is Toddy's fifth year with us - half of little ladybug's whole life - and the magic is still there. I think my girls will be coming home from college and still expecting to find Toddy changing places with each new morning ... he's just that special to us ♥
But I nearly blew it with poor Toddy this year - those of you who already partake in this tradition know that your elf is supposed to appear the morning after Thanksgiving and stay with you through Christmas Eve, when he returns back to the North Pole with Santa's visit that night. Of course, we were in Florida the morning after Thanksgiving and the thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Nor did the thought cross my mind for 2 more nights after returning north ... until my sweet big ladybug turned to me in privacy after little ladybug's bedtime and mentioned that she hadn't noticed Toddy hanging around yet ... in a "just sayin" sort of way ... phew, thank goodness for that sweet eldest child of mine - her heart is pure gold for sure!
So after eldest was tucked in last Sunday night, I immediately dug poor Toddy out of his storage spot and put him in the front doorknocker as his first location of 2011 ...
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| note that little ladybug's hand-knit shawl (and store-bought mittens) are still with him |
... and it's been so much fun to search for clever new "finding" places for him ever since ...
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| note which frame he's holding onto ... that's his picture inside ;-) |
Our beloved Toddy is always the first sign of Christmas joy ... from that first morning with Toddy, it's a trickling wave of Christmas cheer that follows and within a week or so, we're full swing with all the decor ... a colorful tree, ribbon-wrapped wreaths, holly garland, advent calendars, stockings, tabletop carolers, the girls' angel collections, christmas card displays, etc etc ... such a magical season ...
At Christmas play and make good cheer
For Christmas comes but once a year
~Thomas Tusser~
At Christmas play and make good cheer
For Christmas comes but once a year
~Thomas Tusser~
10 comments:
I am curious about your cereal dispensers. Where are they from and do you like them? Does it crunch up the cereal or take a long time to dispense a bowl of cereal?
I really want to do the Elf on the Shelf. Where do I find one? I think that next year might be good to start. Boyd would probably get it this year, but I'm afraid I'm late to the game, as usual! :))
Love your Elf, and your fun stories and pictures. We don't have a ton of Christmas traditions, but we do have a couple already, and I'd love to add the Elf.
Have a great day! xo.
I love your Elf! Magic yes....Of course they will come home from college looking for him!
I love Buddy the Elf too.
I love seeing where people hide their elves! I need some new ideas! Last night Stephen (16) spent hours throwing him up on the ceiling fan. He's still up there now. Will found him this morning and said.."don't turn the fan on!" I love this tradition!
We started with Jasper the Elf on the Shelf this year, and I can't believe how much my kids love finding him every morning, even Evie. I'm going to have to do the cereal tomorrow!
We have Sam. He is not as great of a hider as Buddy. He's going to have to step up his game. He usually tucks himself in somewhere where he looks cozy..never any crazy spots. hmm....
I ADORE that he's hugging his own photo. Too funny!
Drew was so dissappointed that I got the tree without him this year. . . Seriously crazy but wonderful that they love the traditions as much as we do!
It seems as though your elf isn't as naughty as ours. Maybe I should have a little chat with Elfie! He has been making messes all over my house for a week or so! Love the elves!!!
Oh how I wish we would have done elf on a shelf all these years! I had never heard of it until I ventured into blogland! :( I'm afraid it's too late to introduce him now...I mean, where would he have been ALL these years?! I love the one of Toddy sitting in the book with his legs up...too funny! You're a good hider!
ELF is my favorite Christmas movie ever! I'm not a big fan at all of watching movies more than once (no attention span for that!) but we watch ELF several times each December...and it cracks me up everytime.
Yeah...Toddy has returned!!:)
Love the story of how he made his appearence this year. What a sweet oldest ladybug you have.:)
I love all the things the girls made for him last year, can't wait to see what they come up with this year. And he has a framed picture...now that is precious!;)
can't wait to see all the rest of your holiday goodies sloan
have a happy day
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