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