Elf on a Shelf

We have a new visitor at our house. Freddy arrived with a book explaining who he was. He's one of Santa's helpers who hangs out at our house all day and then flies home each night to report to the big guy. Each night he lands in a new place.

The boys are excited each morning to find Freddy. Dominick has left notes for Santa on Freddy's lap so he can take them to Santa--AND HE DID BECAUSE THEY WERE GONE! Trying to capture a bit of the excitement with the all caps. The note idea was sweet and all, but here's what it said: "Dear Santa, Xander is bad. Do not bring him some presents." After a particularly bad day Freddy didn't report back to Santa, he was in the same place the next morning! Whew, he must have wanted to give the boys a bit more of a chance.

I think before kids the idea of controlling (or threatening) with an inanimate doll that watches your every move very creepy and wrong. Freddy is a bit creepy but now that I have kids something that works or at least partially works sometimes is never wrong.