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...