Ralphie, the Elf, Adventures & Decorations

This is the second year that Ralphie the Elf has been at our home.  Lucas isn't terrified of him this year like he was last year.  This year they couldn't wait for him to arrive.  It is such a fun thing that the boys love and look forward to. 

They also enjoyed the Elf on the Shelf movie this year.  We recorded it when it came on television earlier this month, and was a hit with out kids.  It is one of Lucas' favorite shows.  He watched it over and over while Logan and I were doing school.  He also wanted to watch it every night. 

We had a dinner party to go to a few weeks ago and we had Taylor and Mackenzie to babysit for us while we were out.  Before they left, Logan and Lucas came into the living room frantically.  Logan had the look on his face like the time he spilled paint on the van...sheer panic and hysteria.  Lucas followed right after him screaming and crying.  I thought they had broken something or one was injured.  It turns out that Taylor touched Ralphie, our elf.  He was in the glass cabinets and they were convinced that he had lost his magic and wouldn't be able to return.  If you have watched the movie you will understand their fear because in the movie the Chippey had to go to Elf ER when he was touched.  Taylor was just looking at me with a confused look.  I felt sorry for her because she didn't understand what she had done.   All was well when I explained that it was he would be fine because he wasn't Taylor's elf and they hadn't touched him.  Crisis averted. 

Here are a few pictures of what Ralphie did this month at our house.  We weren't creative every day as some are, but we did try several days to make it funny for the boys.  Most of the ideas came from pinterest. 

Ralphie drew on their picture (with a dry erase marker on the glass).

Munching on a candy cane.

He is messing with the television.

My personal favorite...he is watching ESPN and munching on some candy bars.

We have only one more day with Ralphie and the boys are a little sad to see him go. 

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I love that Landon has a lot of Christmas cheer and decorates the outside.  He did a great job this year!

This is our first Christmas in this house.  It's always exciting to see how your decorations are going to work in a different house.  One thing I love about this house is the fireplace.  When we first looked at the house I couldn't wait to hang stockings from the mantle. 

Our trees...

Our Christmas Story village.  It's one of my favorite things!

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year...