Mrs. Claus would be proud!

I received a call at work from Emily one day after school. She and Ana just wanted to check to see if I was in a good mood. Strange, don't you think? Apparently the Elves had left a bit of a mess and they know how I dislike having to clean up after the Elves. But they wouldn't tell me what it was. So I picked Jack up from school, and when I told him that the Elves made a mess at our house and we had to hurry home to see what it was, he did a fist pump and yelled "YES! I love when the Elves leave messes!"

When we got home, the girls greeted me at the door and wouldn't let me go in any further until they decided my mood was acceptable to deal with this situation. I walked into our kitchen and there were Laney, Alabaster, and Jangle making cookies! There were messes ALL over! One of them had spilled flour on the counter and had made a "Snow Angel"; the reindeer were hiding in the mixing bowl (I might too given the mess on the counters); Laney was mixing up a new batch of cookies, Jangle was rolling them out, and Alabaster was in charge of decorating them!

Laney and the reindeer making gingerbread cookies

Alabaster's Snow-Angel

Jangle got out ALL my cookie cutters!

A Elf-sized gingerbread cookie (Alabaster sized)

Alabaster was pretty good at decorating cookies

The whole MESS!

So, since there was already a mess in my kitchen, and about 8 more pouches of ready-to-mix cookie dough, we decided to do some holiday baking that night.

Ana rolling out more dough

Jack helping Laney

Ana decided to decorate the Elf cookie to look like Alabaster

Sam doesn't go far without his football

The icing was a bit runny

Do they look alike?

The Elves weren't the only goofy ones!

Our finished cookies

Jack LOVES the Elves

Jack has taken quite a liking to the Elves since they've arrived. He plays with them all the time and is a fierce protector of them from his siblings. He tends to monopolize their time! He loves to draw pictures for the elves and reindeer too. Some days I can't tell if Jack has put the Elves is certain spots, or if the Elves did it themselves!

This is a picture of the 3 Elves 

With a note that says "I Love you!" from Jack

Getting into Everything!

That lampshade looks like it's about to tip over!

Jangle trying to get the candy suckers

Ana came home from school one day and found Laney in her room trying on her jewelry. She had even pierced her ear and was wearing one of Ana's dangly earrings! Jangle was also being sneaky...he had stacked some boxes up and was trying to get the candy that was attached to Ana's poster on the wall. We can't seem to leave them alone at all without the getting into all sorts of trouble!

Isn't she pretty with earrings?

Reindeer Games

Apparently the Elves aren't the only ones who like to play games. The reindeer left us a note telling us that they really like to play games too, and if we didn't believe them, we should ask rudolph. So, as we came downstairs in the morning, we had to be very careful not to step on the reindeer or their notes. One of their favorite games to play is called "Candy-Cane hunt". They told us that they hid lots of candy canes and we were to find them- but we had to be careful not to step in any "Reindeer Poop".

The girls searched and searched the house that morning. They were a bit disappointed they couldn't find any candy canes before they headed out to school. But as soon as they opened the door to catch the bus- Emily almost stepped in Reindeer Poop. Turns out the reindeer hid all the candy canes OUTSIDE!

They FINALLY found some!

Reindeer Poop

Looking for Candy Canes

The reindeer poop is just as good, mmm...

The reindeer pooped in the sleds too!

Gotta be tall to reach that candy cane!

Mission # 1

ACCOMPLISHED: by Secret Agent Laney


I have surveyed the neighborhood and found no threat. Home has been searched and no spy gear detected. However, the use of electronics can be disguised as entertainment when in fact it is being used to snoop. Data has been collected on 2 of the 4 children, but has been inconclusive. This will require a more in-depth scouting report. I will have to further investigate the claim of 'ninja skills' by one of the children first- in order to protect myself.

Christmas Giving

This morning the boys woke up to find that the Elves had gotten into our cupboards and used our cans and boxes of food to build a fort. They left us a very nice poem that was about the true meaning of Christmas. They asked us to bring some food to the food shelf at church. 

Do you see the reindeer hiding in the fort?

Alabaster was attempting some gymnastics I think!

Remember Christmas is about Giving to others!

Off to get the Elves

We woke up and got ready to go pick up the Elves. We were really sure what to expect since the Elves usually come to our house. We drove down to St. Paul to have breakfast with Santa, but apparently so did everyone else. There was quite a line. It went out the door and down the street! Luckily, Santa had his reindeer parked right outside so we got to see one of them while we waited.

We even got to feel what a real reindeer felt like!

This was one of Santa's Reindeer!

 So we finally got inside and sat down, but the Elves were no where in sight! We were beginning to think this was a bad idea. Then suddenly, one of Santa's helpers came over to our table and brought the Elves with her!

Waiting, and waiting and waiting

Finally Alabaster & Jangle arrive!

They even even ate breakfast with us. When we were done, the boys got a chance to go see Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Santa listening intently

Wonder what they were high-fiving over?

The day wasn't over though...

Let the Holidays Begin 2011!

It's official - the Holiday Season has begun! Even though there isn't any snow on the ground, and Christmas is still 26 days away - do you know how I know we are officially entering the Holiday Season? Well, today, we received a letter from Santa letting us know when our Elves - Alabaster & Jangle - will be arriving. Unfortunately, Petey will not be joining us this year. He was the South Pole Elf (they are a very grouchy bunch) that went home to the North Pole with Alabaster and Jangle to leave his South-Pole grouchy days behind him and learn the ways of the good North-Pole Elves. I guess he's still got some learning to do. BUT Santa says that a new Elf named Laney (a GIRL Elf!!!!) is coming on Special Assignment to our home with them. She's been assigned to keep an eye on the "snoop" in the family. Oh, boy! I wonder who that is? And I hope we can make it to St. Paul on Saturday. I heard there is supposed to be a snow storm that day (and Ana has her first basketball tournament that day too). Santa also sent a Schedule of Events for something called the Grand Meander down on Grand Avenue. I guess we can go have breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning! Maybe that's where we'll find Alabaster and Jangle and the new elf Laney?


The Reindeer that got left behind last year have a letter (and mailbox) from Santa!



 Here is a copy of the letter Santa sent us:

Mr. S. Claus

Santa’s Workshop

North Pole

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Dear Olson Family:

My records indicate that Alabaster will be returning to your home again this year as the Head Visiting Elf with his assistant Jangle. As you may recall, last year Petey (formerly of the South Pole) returned to the North Pole with them in order to learn the ways of a good elf. Although Petey tried his best, unfortunately he was just not able to meet the demands of being a North Pole Elf. Not every elf is cut out to be a Christmas elf; it is a difficult job that requires years of training and an enormous amount of effort. Petey has decided to continue his training here so he will not be joining Alabaster and Jangle this year.

However, the good news is that there will be a new Elf that has been assigned to your home. This new Elf is on “SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT” this year. She will be joining Alabaster and Jangle in order to keep an eye specifically on the one person in your home that has been known to “snoop around” a bit more than others. Please understand that Laney will also be giving me updates on the behavior of the family members- and in particular the “Snooper”.

 As in prior years, these Elves will visit your household from now until Christmas Eve, to observe the behavior of all those residing herein and maintain a report to assist me in determining who shall be placed on the Naughty or Nice List. When I arrive on Christmas Eve, Alabaster will present his report to me and they will all return to the North Pole.

I am leaving this mailbox so you can correspond with me directly. Please feel free to write to me and let me know if any of the elves are getting into any mischief.

Because their passports have expired, the Elves will be traveling with me as I make a visit to your area. Please come to St. Paul where the elves can meet you on December 3^rd. This is the only way the Elves can get here since their passports are invalid until they get them renewed, so it is vitally important that you meet them on

Grand Avenue

in St. Paul on December 3^rd between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

After a long journey such as theirs, they will be hungry. Remember to have crackers available for them every evening, and when you tuck them in bed to make sure they have their magic snow with them. This will keep them warm just like in the North Pole. And finally, it is very important that you keep your eyes peeled for Elf shenanigans. Because they will not be as busy as they are up here in the North Pole, the Elves tend to get into a bit of trouble occasionally. Good luck, and I hope to read their final Elf report and find that all of you have made the Nice List.

                Santa