Traditions

We started two new family traditions this year. First, let me introduce you to Elfie. After reading the story "The Elf on the Shelf" we had to name our elf. Brody decided that Elfie was a great name. Elfie's job is to watch the boys during the day and fly to the North Pole each night to report their behavior to Santa. When Elfie returns the next morning, he's always resting in a different spot. So every morning the boys can't wait to see where they will find Elfie. They can tell anything to Elfie...their wishes and dreams etc, but Elfie is under strict rules from Santa not to talk back to them. The only rule we all have to follow is to not touch Elfie or else he'll lose his magic and not be able to fly to the North Pole again. We already feel like Elfie is part of the family. The boys were so surprised that Elfie even followed us to Sedona where we found him resting on a towel rack. The magic of Christmas is so heart warming. PS You can buy this book and the Elf at Hallmark.

The next family tradition that we started is using this advent calendar to count down the days until Jesus' birthday. Brody and I sat down with our December calendar and wrote down acts of kindness on a small slip of paper. We put one in each little box and carry out that act of kindness for the day. Then we put it in this wrapped box as one of the many gifts to Jesus. On Christmas morning we'll sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and open his gift filled with thoughtful things we've done for people throughout the month. Today we're going to a train station where they're having a toy drive. So todays act of kindness is to go shopping and pick out a toy for the toy drive. Others have included taking dinner to a friend that just had twins, calling Grandpa and wishing him a safe trip to Florida, hugging Ms. Mary at swim class and thanking her for teaching Wy to swim, taking baked cookies to a neighbor, etc. Sweet and simple acts of kindness that we all normally do is the best gift we can give Jesus for his birthday. Many blessings to you all!!!! xoxo