The Campbells: Our Elf, Jingle Bell

I am still not completely sold on this elf thing. I probably wouldn't have done it (I was leaning more towards an activity advent calendar) if my sister in law, Lauren, hadn't asked us to get Oliver one last year. Of course, we got Hudson one too, but then didn't do it as we figured he was too young. So this year, I began planning in November. I don't really like the idea of a mischievous elf who gets into trouble and makes messes watching if my children are behaving and reporting to Santa. It sounds a little hypocritical if you ask me. I also want to make the holidays about spending time together, giving back, and of course a little magic is good too. So I have gone more the route of our elf suggesting activities. Of course, I've thrown in some cute elf adventures as well, but nothing that is destructive or naughty. It has actually been better than the calendar because you can really go in any direction you want-activities, gifts, harmless mischief, etc. Our elf has been a lot of fun for the whole family and I'm sure it will become a beloved tradition in our home.

Since we were out of town, our elf arrived on December 6th, 2014. He started things off with a bang. He hosted a North Pole Breakfast complete with Snowman donuts, strawberry/banana santa hats, banana/blueberry snowmen, and an apple candy cane. Our elf also brought Hud's favorite, balloons. The elf also wrote each of the boys a note. Hud was most excited about the balloons and snowman "cupcakes" (donuts), but he eventually calmed down enough to listen to the book and realize that his elf was sitting on the table. Did I mention the kid who is allergic to everything and never eats sweets got to eat powdered donuts?! :) We asked Hud what our elf should be called and he gave us his standard, "yeah" answer. So we started listing tons of options. Jingle Bells is Hudson's favorite Christmas song so as soon as I suggested that one his eyes lit up and he said Jingle Bell. I asked if we should call him Jingle, he sternly said no. Then I said what about Jingle Bells, again he said no, Jingle Bell. So Jingle Bell it is.

On Day 2 (12/7), Hudson immediately asked about the tree. He is super excited about it and that was definitely his focus that morning. When we mentioned his elf, he ran straight to the kitchen table to look for his elf. We explained to him that each night he moves, but Hudson still expected him to be in the same place. When he spotted JB hanging from the tree he got excited. JB had hidden 10 candy canes in the room for Hudson to find. Hudson loved looking for the candy canes!

On Day 3 (12/8), Jingle Bell brought Elf diapers for the boys. He let Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore each have a diaper and they all rode on our sled. Hudson first went to the table this morning, then the tree to look for his elf, haha. When he spotted him he got very excited and thought the elf diapers were pretty awesome. When I put him and Luc in them later in the day, he was giddy about them.

On Day 4 (12/9), Jingle Bell made snowflakes out of q-tips on the stairs. Hudson is really obsessed with q-tips at the moment so he thought this was really neat. This was the day that I really had to emphasize that Hudson could look at Jingle Bell, but he wasn't allowed to touch him. I could tell it was tempting every time Hud walked by, especially not to grab the q-tips, but Hudson followed by directions.

On Day 5 (12/10), Hudson immediately spotted Jingle Bell sledding down our stairs. Hudson seems to be getting more excited about JB each day he is here. Hudson walked up and down the stairs so many times that day saying, "no touching, on watch Jingle bell sledding down stairs"

On Day 6 (12/11), JB put on some goggles and an aviator jacket and took to the skies. He decided to fly Hudson's plane.

On Day 7 (12/12), Jingle Bell colored a picture and left one for Hudson to color as well. Hudson was very excited to color his elf and send it back to Santa with JB.

On Day 8 (12/13), JB was hanging from our snowflake decorations. He brought two jingle bells to play music with. Hudson loved shaking them and singing his favorite Christmas song, Jungle Bells.

On Day 9 (12/14), we found Jingle Bell ice skating or ice slipping as Hud calls it! Hud was very excited about it!!

On Day 10 (12/15), Jingle Bell brought a can of instant snow. Hudson of course wanted to play with it right away so I put him in his high chair and we made it. Hudson thought it was really cool, but boy was it messy!

On Day 11 (12/16), JB brought some decorations so Hudson could spruce up the tree had made the day before.He loves crafts and had lots of fun gluing the ornaments on his Christmas tree.

On Day 12 (12/17), JB was hanging out in Hudson's basketball hoop.

On Day 13 (12/18), JB built a snowman out of toilet paper.

On Day 14 (12/19), JB brought the boys each a personalized Christmas book. Hudson received the Night Before Christmas and Luc got a book titled, Luc's Very Merry First Christmas.

On Day 15 (12/20), Jingle Bell brought us the hit of the holiday season. Each of the boys got a bucket full of snowballs for indoor snowball fights. Hudson, dada and Luc immediately had a snowball fight. It was hilarious and everyone loved it. These were played with over and over again the rest of the month! Thanks for an awesome gift JB!

On Day 16 (12/21), Jingle Bell set out stuff for us to make sugar cookies for Santa. Hudson loves making sugar cookies. He helped cut out all the shapes, then decorated them the next day with lots of frosting and sprinkles.

On Day 17 (12/22), Jingle Bell brought the boys pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve.

Aubree was over helping that day and I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I walked in the room to check on Hudson and he was sitting on the couch watching tv with Jingle Bell in his lap! I immediately reminded him that he couldn't touch Jingle Bell and he gave me a grumpy face. I'm thinking poor Aubree didn't know the rule and told him it was ok? Or maybe he just forgot and grabbed him all on his own. Either way, we said a little apology and did a little magical dance and thankfully, JB didn't lose his magic.