Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 17

Eli was a bit of a candy thief for this one.  I put him in one of the candy dishes my mom made and had him clutching some candy.  T said, "Look Mommy!  What is that little Eli up to?"  Cute. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 16

This location did not turn out as I had envisioned.  I really wanted to rig Eli from the living room fan "flying" toward the tree, but I couldn't pull it off.  So, I opted to have him parachuting from the chandelier; still cute but not quite the same impact!  Tying him up was not easy.  I had to keep adjusting the string, because for the first few attempts he looked like he had hung himself with the parachute - not the image I was aiming for!  After much tinkering with him I was comfortable with the spot.  There was,however, one issue that occurred later in the day when I accidentally hit him with my head.  T, of course, noticed right away and panicked.  I had to lie and tell her it must have been a breeze from my body moving because I didn't feel myself make contact with him.  Not sure she bought it.  I'm going to blow this whole Christmas thing way too soon!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 15

I had been thinking about this spot for a while!  T loves her Sofia the First toys, so I set Eli up with them and created a tea party for them!  I included Sofia's brother James because Mad Man likes him too!  Both kiddos got a kick out of seeing them having tea together!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 14

Some days I just need to find a simple place for our friend Eli.  Today was one of those days.  I have a Disney room in my house which showcases all things Disney that I have collected through the years.  It  has transformed from my museum to a guest room and now to a playroom.  So, once we were able to pick up the room (I assure you this is no small feat) I was able to get out my little Disney princess Christmas tree.  The kiddos and I decorated it and it provided me with the perfect location for Eli. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 13

I had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to do this one. Mad Man was actually asleep so I was able to sneak in his room and place Eli in one of the princess beds in Ts castle (which is being temporarily housed in Mad Man's room).  It took them quite a while to find the little elf, but they loved it when they did!  I had him snuggled with a little toy snowman from their Doc McStuffins toys!  Cute. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 12

This was an easy one!  We have a stocking holder made to look like Santa Claus and we have many stockings hanging on it.  So, Eli snuggled in to a little stocking and had the perfect spot to view the little ones as they played in the living room!  T loved it!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 11

Here is my confession: I totally stole this idea from a post on Facebook by an acquaintance of mine.  Eli riding part of the toy train around a decoration on the dining room table.  So cute!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 10

T knew this one was coming: the tree!  She remembered Eli being on the tree last year and kept wondering aloud when he would be on the tree again.  I had not planned on doing it so soon, but little Mad Man woke up quite early (shocker, I know) so I was stuck.  You see, I hadn't moved Eli the night before so I had to distract Mad while I swiftly and secretly moved Eli.  The tree was the closest and easiest target.  Needless to say, T was quite excited to see him when she woke up. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 9

Finding a location for Eli to "play" with another toy - in this case the Cowardly Lion, was not an easy task.  Luckily, we had not been using our pellet stove for a day or so, which made it the ideal spot. Both kiddos are afraid of the pellet stove so I knew they would have no interest in going near it!  Mad Man woke up first and saw him.  He loves Simba and now calls every lion Simba, so he just kept pointing and repeating "Simba!"  He was so excited to show T when she woke up. T couldn't believe that Eli was playing with one of her toys. She also couldn't believe that he found my playing cards. I love this whole elf thing!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 8

This time I took a chance with the placement of Eli.  Either child could have easily reached him, but I decided to take a risk anyway (so uncharacteristic of me).  I really wanted to make it look like he was reading so it had to be eye level. I love this one!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 7

Luckily for Facebook I can check out lots of other people's creative ideas for their elf!  I hadn't really tapped into the idea that the elf could be getting into mischief until perusing some of the crazy things my friends do with their elves!  This time I had Eli holding a piece of candy while clinging to a small decorative tree. T kept asking where he got that candy from!  Too cute. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 6

I find myself thinking about Eli a little too much!  I'm constantly wondering where to hide him next!  I try to avoid any location which might tempt Mad Man or even curious little T to touch him. So, this location was perfect!  Mad Man especially loved it because Eli was on a ball!  The little guy seriously loves balls!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 5

In an effort to ameliorate for our failure from the previous day, this time I wrote a note from Eli to the kiddos.  The note read:  Dear T and M, I really like your house.  (Make sure your Daddy goes to sleep so I can fly back to the North Pole!).  Love, Eli.  With the note Eli was sitting in a bowl filled with marshmallows. T got a kick out of it.  Bonus:  she seemed to believe the letter too!

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 4

Let's just say that returning to work after a five day hiatus got the best of us.  I forgot to move Eli while I was downstairs, so I figured that I would do it in the morning.  Problem: both kiddos woke up way too early and T saw Eli in the same place as the day before.  Ugh.  So, I came up with the only excuse I could think of: Daddy couldn't sleep and spent the night pretty much awake on the couch.  This meant in my convoluted explanation that Eli couldn't fly back to the North Pole for fear that Daddy would see him.  Lame I know.  T thought he could fly back while we were all out of the house, no dice.  Huge failure. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 3

I decided to reuse a spot from last year - on top of Hubby's deer that hangs (quite unfortunately and against all of my senses) in the living room.  So, Eli clung to the antlers of this poor unassuming buck.  T noticed him right away and was pretty excited that he had returned.  Mad Man just kept pointing and saying "deer!".

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 2

Day two came and I reminded Hubby that he would have to locate Eli and find a place for him since we were already late - which was complete news to him.  When I woke up I was shocked that he had followed through.  There Eli sat on the shelf of our dining room hutch.  T didn't notice him right away, but once I pointed him out she was so excited.  We had watched the movie on tv the night before so the rule that you can't touch him was fresh in her mind.  She freaked out if Mad Man even tried to enter the dining room for fear that he would touch him.  I would say we were successful...today. 

Our Elf on the Shelf 2013 Adventures: Day 1

The best laid plans...this year I was determined to be on the ball in terms of Eli (our Elf in the Shelf).  The precept, I believe, is that the elf is to arrive the day after Thanksgiving ( don't quote me on that as clearly I am a novice with this whole thing).  The day after Thanksgiving came and went.  No Eli.  I forgot.  So when T asked where I thought he was, I told her that he probably had a long trip from the North Pole.  Then I added that he might be a lazy bones.  Really?  Why even say that?  I am a self-professed lousy liar - case in point.  So Day 1 = Elf on the Shelf fail.