December 5: Elf on the Shelf - Meet Chippy!

Last year, we bought the kids the Elf on the Shelf book/elf set. Although we read the story to them, they both were too young to understand the meaning of the "Elf on the Shelf." This year was different. Reid had already watched the movie, so when we got our our Elf on the Shelf box this year, Reid knew exactly who he was and was excited to name him "Chippy!" Before bed this night, we decided to read the kids the Elf on the Shelf story and have Chippy make his grand appearance!

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 The Elf on the Shelf is a really cute story! The story talks about how you have an elf from the North Pole that comes to your house to help Santa watch and see if you are naughty or nice. You get to pick a name for the elf and everyday he may be hiding in a new spot. You're not supposed to touch the elf or he will lose his magic, but in our house it's ok to touch Chippy if you ask permission. Reid listened to the story very carefully. He was especially interested in this "naughty or nice" concept because Santa emailed Reid a personal video this year, and on the video Santa gave Reid a "green light" meaning that so far he had been a good boy!

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Click here to watch the video that Santa sent to Reid!

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Sissy would point to the pictures and ask, "That Chippy?"

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 After we read the story, the kids had to go look for Chippy all around the house! Where was Chippy hiding? Was he in the Christmas tree? Nooooo.

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 Was he in the laundry room?

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 In the dryer? Noooooo.

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 Was Chippy in the traditional Christmas tree?

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 Noooooo.

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 Maybe he was in the refrigerator? Noooooo!

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In mommy & daddy's room?

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Was he in the bathroom? Wait. Time-out for a dance break! My kids are hilarious!!

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 There's Chippy!! In the playroom!!!

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Riding in on Reid's dinosaur!!!!!

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As soon as LilliAnn saw Chippy she wanted to kiss him.

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 It was adorable! "I wuv him," she said.

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 The Elf on the Shelf worked really well for us this year. We took him everywhere...to the lake house...and even to Branson! Reid would pick up his toys if I reminded him that Chippy was watching, and the kids couldn't wait to see what Chippy was up to each day. I think next year will be even more fun when Chippy makes his way from the North Pole to our house! Both kids will understand the concept of Chippy helping "watch them" for Santa, and I've heard that he's got a lot of fun things he plans on "getting into" next year!!!