Adventures of Scootie the Elf

I'm so glad we decided to do Elf on the Shelf this year. I was hesitant, like I said in a previous post, but the kids loved having him here to visit!  We didn't make him some all-knowing mighty Elf. We pretty much just used him as a little hide-and-seek game.  The kids loved finding him first thing in the morning and laughing at what antics he was up to but after that, we rarely mentioned him throughout the day.  I didn't want to use him as leverage for their behavior because that only works until December 25.  ;) I really tried to keep our elf fun and silly and not place too much emphasis on him.  Although I admit in a moment of parenting weakness there were a couple times I did say, what are you teaching Scootie about how to behave? ;)  Here is what Scootie the Elf was up to at our house in his first year visiting.

The kids were so excited when our Elf arrived while we were out visiting reindeer and looking at Christmas lights on Saturday the 12th. :)

After seeing what a hard time our 2 year old had not touching him, Scootie decided to hang out high up in the Christmas tree on morning #1.

On Day #2 he colored in the Elf on the Shelf coloring books he had brought the older two kids on Day #1. 

Marshmallow Bath!

We have been playing a LOT of UNO at our house this winter. It is a favorite of all three kids. On Day #4 Scootie was playing UNO with a few stuffed Christmas friends. ;)

He was a little naughty on Day #5 and made a huge mess of the toothpaste! This may have been the kids' favorite Scootie adventure.

Hanging out in the stockings 

Super Scootie! This one was easy but the kids thought it was really fun. 

On Day #8 he was missing the North Pole ;) 

On Day #9 he caught a cold like all three kids in the house. Our son missed a day of school and I had to e-mail his teacher about something on the day he returned. In her reply she said, I know you've been busy taking care of 3 sick kids and a sick Elf. Ha ha!

Stuck in the cereal box! 

On Day #11 he had movie night and watched some Christmas movies. 

The kids had the hardest time finding him on Day #12 when he was stuck in the blender! 

Day #13 was the first day of Christmas vacation and the kids still weren't back to 100%. Scootie left them a get well soon message. 

Day #14 he had a snowball (marshmallow) fight with Jessie from Toy Story :) 

Day #15 he was riding Max from the Grinch and checking out the presents under the tree. 

We were leaving for Wisconsin on the 23rd so the kids had special permission from Santa himself to touch Scootie so they could give him a hug goodbye on the evening of the 22nd. It was too sweet seeing how excited they all were to be able to give him a hug. He said goodbye by leaving a note and color wonder coloring pages and markers for each of the kids on the morning of the 23rd to take with them on their trip to Wisconsin. We will be looking forward to his arrival again next December!