Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans 2016 - Week Four

Last year was the first year we did the whole "elf on the shelf" thing.  We decided to wait until Noah was old enough to really appreciate it.  While our elf doesn't cause problems or make messes, he does move around each night and get himself into some pretty funny situations.  And while I would love to take credit for Buddy's creative shenanigans, I can't... it's all thanks to Chris.  As soon as we started talking about starting the elf on the shelf tradition, he was vocal that he wanted to have creative control.  He comes up with all the ideas, executes them, and then sends me nightly photos of what Buddy is up to.  Every morning, I record Noah looking for Buddy.  Even though Chris can't be there every morning, he at least gets to see his reaction (which is usually pretty funny) on video... and I get to have a month's worth of videos for documentation purposes!  

Over the next few weeks, I hope that by sharing Buddy's Shenanigans, I can give you some inspiration, or at the very least put a smile on your face :)  And if you want to look back at past Buddy posts (from this year and last), you can see them all here.  In addition to my weekly recaps, you can also follow along on Instagram (hashtag #buddytheelfshenanigans2016 )

Buddy brought Noah a little gift...

Buddy played chicken with some of Noah's stuffed animal friends (including his classroom stuffed animal, Benson!)...

Super Buddy came back, this time hanging from the fan...

Noah kept requesting that Buddy hang from the ceiling.  According to him, the zip line didn't count.  So we hung him from the fan.  Noah still said it wasn't the ceiling, but he did like this one, and Buddy stayed there all day long!

Buddy decided to welcome our guests...

Buddy wasn't feeling very well...

Buddy made some snow angels in some flour.  Not sure if he wanted to bake with me or just wanted to make a mess...

Buddy sent Noah on a scavenger hunt to find him...

Buddy had lots of fun this month, but it never really required Noah to search for him.  So for our last night, we decided to really hide Buddy.  But since Noah isn't the best at finding yet, Chris created some super simple scavenger hunt hints that are perfect for a 4 year old.  I hope that as Noah gets older that we can come up with trickier clues.  In the end, Noah found Buddy hanging out in the dryer :)

Tomorrow, Christmas Day morning, Buddy will be bringing Noah a small gift to say goodbye as well as this note.  Until next year... it sure has been fun!

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What has your elf been up to this last week?

Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans 2016 - Week Three

Last year was the first year we did the whole "elf on the shelf" thing.  We decided to wait until Noah was old enough to really appreciate it.  While our elf doesn't cause problems or make messes, he does move around each night and get himself into some pretty funny situations.  And while I would love to take credit for Buddy's creative shenanigans, I can't... it's all thanks to Chris.  As soon as we started talking about starting the elf on the shelf tradition, he was vocal that he wanted to have creative control.  He comes up with all the ideas, executes them, and then sends me nightly photos of what Buddy is up to.  Every morning, I record Noah looking for Buddy.  Even though Chris can't be there every morning, he at least gets to see his reaction (which is usually pretty funny) on video... and I get to have a month's worth of videos for documentation purposes!  

Over the next few weeks, I hope that by sharing Buddy's Shenanigans, I can give you some inspiration, or at the very least put a smile on your face :)  And if you want to look back at past Buddy posts (from this year and last), you can see them all here.  In addition to my weekly recaps, you can also follow along on Instagram (hashtag #buddytheelfshenanigans2016 )

Buddy went fishing...  and used a paint cup for his chair.  Buddy sure is resourceful!

Buddy was monkeying around, and getting his potassium in...

Looks like Buddy wanted to play a round of Mouse Trap...

I think Buddy wants Noah to teach him how to play the guitar???

Buddy sure had fun building with Noah's blocks and construction vehicles.

And Noah helped finish the project when he woke up :)

Noah isn't the only artist in the family.  Buddy sure is talented! 

Happy Birthday to Buddy!  All his friends came to sing to him!

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What has your elf been up to this week?

Buddy the Elf Shenanigans 2016 - Week Two

Last year was the first year we did the whole "elf on the shelf" thing.  We decided to wait until Noah was old enough to really appreciate it.  While our elf doesn't cause problems or make messes, he does move around each night and get himself into some pretty funny situations.  And while I would love to take credit for Buddy's creative shenanigans, I can't... it's all thanks to Chris.  As soon as we started talking about starting the elf on the shelf tradition, he was vocal that he wanted to have creative control.  He comes up with all the ideas, executes them, and then sends me nightly photos of what Buddy is up to.  Every morning, I record Noah looking for Buddy.  Even though Chris can't be there every morning, he at least gets to see his reaction (which is usually pretty funny) on video... and I get to have a month's worth of videos for documentation purposes!  

Over the next few weeks, I hope that by sharing Buddy's Shenanigans, I can give you some inspiration, or at the very least put a smile on your face :)  And if you want to look back at past Buddy posts (from this year and last), you can see them all here.  In addition to my weekly recaps, you can also follow along on Instagram (hashtag #buddytheelfshenanigans2016 )

Buddy just wanted a kiss...

Taking it easy... or is he helping with the dishes???

Super Buddy... zip lining to save the day!

Buddy didn't realize Noah was going to be staying home sick from school!  He was all ready to go in Noah's school bag... still dressed as Super Buddy!

Getting ready to race with Blaze and the Monster Machines...

My favorite part is what happened after Noah found Buddy like this.  Chris took the day off work and they spent the morning racing the Blaze trucks down the ramp.  Buddy watched from Jake's pirate ship!  

Buddy brought matching robot suits...

Hanging out with the Octonauts gang...

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What has your elf been up to this week?

Buddy the Elf Shenanigans 2016 - Week One

Last year was the first year we did the whole "elf on the shelf" thing.  We decided to wait until Noah was old enough to really appreciate it.  While our elf doesn't cause problems or make messes, he does move around each night and get himself into some pretty funny situations.  And while I would love to take credit for Buddy's creative shenanigans, I can't... it's all thanks to Chris.  As soon as we started talking about starting the elf on the shelf tradition, he was vocal that he wanted to have creative control.  He comes up with all the ideas, executes them, and then sends me nightly photos of what Buddy is up to.  Every morning, I record Noah looking for Buddy.  Even though Chris can't be there every morning, he at least gets to see his reaction (which is usually pretty funny) on video... and I get to have a month's worth of videos for documentation purposes!  

Over the next few weeks, I hope that by sharing Buddy's Shenanigans, I can give you some inspiration, or at the very least put a smile on your face :)  And if you want to look back at past Buddy posts (from this year and last), you can see them all here.  In addition to my weekly recaps, you can also follow along on Instagram (hashtag #buddytheelfshenanigans2016 )

Buddy arrives for our North Pole Breakfast...

Buddy takes a sweet bath...

Buddy practiced his building skills...

Buddy's helpful even in the bathroom...

Buddy helped us kick off the first day of our Advent calendar...

Bedtime is the right time to fight crime... I can't think of a rhyme

Buddy wanted to be tall just like Noah...

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Have a great weekend!  I hope your elf stays out of trouble :)

Welcome Back Buddy!

It's that time of year again.  When elves start showing up in houses near and far.  Some elves give parents the hope that their kids will be on their best behavior, while others main objective is to entertain with the most creative mischief each night.  This is our second Christmas doing the whole "elf on the shelf" thing and I think I may be even more excited than Noah is.  Last year, we introduced Noah to the whole concept and helped Noah name him "Buddy".  As I explained last year, we don't follow all the "elf rules".  For example, our elf doesn't lose his magic if touched, and we don't mind if Noah touches Buddy.  Noah is very gentle with him and quickly loses interest in playing with him if we let him touch Buddy when he finds him versus making a big deal about it.  We also don't really use the elf as punishment for bad behavior.  While we do like to remind Noah that he should be nice and listen to us because Buddy is watching and reporting back to Santa, our elf won't not come back or move one night because of bad behavior.  Instead, we prefer to use Buddy as another fun way to countdown to Christmas.   Buddy not only moves places each night, but he also has lots of fun while we are asleep. Chris has so much fun coming up with new and unique set ups each day.  We just try to make sure that Buddy doesn't cause trouble or encourage mischievous behavior.  Everything Buddy does is very harmless and a lot of fun. 

To kick off the Christmas season, Buddy the Elf showed up yesterday morning with a little gift.  In a world where kids don't have opinions, I had planned that Noah would spot Buddy, we would make the pancakes together, and then Noah would open his gift as we were eating breakfast.  But once Noah saw that gift, he had no interest in helping until he unwrapped it.  Since it was a minor change in plans, we let him open his present and then continued on with our plans.  

Trolls puzzles | elf on the shelf

This year we kept it pretty simple with some pancakes and simple toppings (strawberries, marshmallows, and m&ms).  I wanted to make Christmas tree pancakes using these pancake molds, but they were a disaster!  So instead, I stuck to what I know best, and made regular old pancakes, but made them a festive red and green.  One thing I've learned since becoming a mom, it's best to just go with the flow!  

snowflake bowls | snowflake napkin holder | plaid tablecloth

Noah's plate | milk bottle came in this set | pajamas

While I take the lead when we decorate and entertain, Chris was very eager to take control with the ins and outs of Buddy.  So I planned the breakfast, but will leave the rest of it to him.  The elf shenanigans will begin this morning and I'm really excited to watch Noah find Buddy each morning.  Last year I documented all of Buddy's innocent mischief and shared it here and on Instagram.  I plan to do the same this year, and I'd love for you to follow along with my weekly recaps and on Instagram with the hashtag #buddytheelfshenanigans2016 

Does the elf on the shelf come to your house???  Is he mischievous, playful, or just a spy for Santa?

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