Elfie, Elfie, Elfie!

Another week and another handful of photos from Elfie's adventures to share. He always seems to get extra creative the closer to Christmas we get...enjoy!

Elfie was kind enough to bring the boys a new Scooby Doo movie to watch with daddy one night when mommy was out

The boys frantically searched for Elfie one morning only to discover he was stuck to daddy's back! (Thanks for this fun idea Aunt Amy:)

Hungry for cereal

Leading a parade of trucks with some other friends in our house

That rascal got a sharpie and got artistic with the boys pictures:

Nathan the pirate

Jordan the little devil

Sweet baby Isaiah (now 19 months old, we should really update that picture!)

Only a few days left until Elfie goes back to the North Pole for the next 11 months. It will be interesting to see how he wraps up his visit!

Pin this - homemade gifts and Christmas decor

With less than a week left until Christmas I thought I would share some of the easy homemade gifts (for you last minute folks:) and DIY decorations that I have been finding on Pinterest the past few weeks. If you have found something you love, feel free to leave a link in the comments.

I thought this "Whisk You a Merry Christmas" was cute...click the picture for 15 gifts under $2

I made this for a friend...it takes only 4 ingredients that you likely have on hand and minutes to make (and smells AMAZING!)

This has to be my absolute favorite homemade gift find this week...magnetic paper dolls!

A tea wreath - beautiful and a great gift for the tea lover in your life

This list is actually up to 30 now (just click on the picture) - including a bean bag tutorial from yours truly:)

A Santa centerpiece made from a coffee can

I love this snowman family made from dollar store gloves - great decor or family gift

This sock snowman would cost next to nothing to make and is so adorable

I hope that gives you some stuff to work on this week if that's what you were needing. If not, something to bank for next year:) For more of the fun ideas I have been finding, make sure to come follow me on Pinterest - just click on the button on the upper right hand side of this page. Happy Pinning!

More elf antics

Another week with Elfie has passed. He has really out done himself with all kinds of crazy stunts that have kept the kids on their toes each morning as they try to hunt him down. I love listening to them speculate how he got into all of these places over breakfast each morning. The imagination of children is magical all on it's own! Want a peak for yourself at the fun we've been having? Here you go:

That sneaky elf dyed our milk green!! This was a morning that the kids panicked because they couldn't find Elfie anywhere...what a shock when we opened the fridge:)

Just hanging out! Nathan got quite a surprise when he awoke on that morning.

This was a favorite...Elfie brought the bigger boys their own Christmas mugs (this was a request for sometime) and a hot chocolate bar to enjoy as an after school snack.

Elfie donning Jordan's stuff, apparently he wants to go outside to play!

Who knew Elfie was a card shark? The boys have decided Santa must have taught him how to play.

Oh, the things that elf comes up with while we are all sleeping. Can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve this week! Do any of you have an elf visiting you this year? Would love to hear what your elf has been up to, feel free to share:)

The Heart of a Drummer Boy

There is no question that I am a HUGE fan of Christmas music. I especially love the more touching ballad type songs like O Come All Ye Faithful and Holy Night. Something about the words describing the true meaning of Christmas that speak to my soul. Maybe it's the sentiment of the season, or maybe I have just had one to many eggnog lattes, but this week I surprised myself by tearing up at a not so typically emotional Christmas song - The Little Drummer Boy. These lyrics in particular:

Little Baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too,
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you!
Pa rum pum pum
On my drum.

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

I guess it is something about the imagery of that poor little boy coming before baby Jesus. He was not dressed to impress, did not come bearing gifts of gold or other monetary worth. He just came as he was to worship his new king. He gave the gift he had to give, a song of worship on his drum. Isn't that what Jesus wants from all of us? To come before him just as we are. It isn't about what others can do. I don't see the Drummer Boy measuring himself against the wise men in this scenario. It's about offering up the very best gift that we have to give, as humble as that my appear.

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (1 Chronicles 16:29)

My prayer this Christmas season and beyond is that I develop the heart of the drummer boy - that I would come just as I am to worship my king, offering the best of what I have been given with no concern for how that measures up to anyone else.

Pin this

It's been a couple of weeks since we talked about pinterest...way too long if you ask me!! But that doesn't mean I haven't still been pinning on a regular basis. Can I share some of my favorite pins right now?

These hot chocolate cones would make adorable stocking stuffers

Peppermint Stick White Chocolate Marshmallows...need I say more?

Elf donuts made out of cheerios. Brilliant!

Loving this place setting for a Christmas dinner

This is a Peter Pan silhouette using a cutout on top of the lamp. Lots of possibilities!

Make your own never-ending Vanilla Extract

Isn't this stuff great? Want to see more of what I am pinning each week? Click on the red Follow Me on Pinterest button at the top of the page. Happy Pinning!

Elfie's first week

Elfie has been here since last Thursday and has been the talk of the house. Jordan lectures him everyday about moving from his original spot on the table. One day he even went as far as making a plan to glue him to the table so he couldn't move...it's pretty funny! Here's what Elfie has been up to:

Taking over for the Christmas Countdown Snowman

 

Last year Elfie brought us the Fisher Price Nativity, this year he gave us the 3 wise men set too

Elfie replaced Isaiah's stocking with himself! The night before the boys had given him Christmas lists to take home to Santa so tucked behind him is a letter back to them from Santa:)

Elfie always likes playing with the nutcrackers

He brought out the Christmas books for the boys (with a little help from our cat Buddy)

Elfie got up on the coat shelf and is wearing one of the kids Seahawk Santa hats

A week in the life of a Christmas Elf...busy! I am sure he has many more antics and surprises up his sleeve so stayed tuned for more Elfie updates in the coming weeks.

North Pole Breakfast

Elfie is back! In case you are newer to my blog, Elfie is the name of our Elf on a Shelf. Still confused? Type Elfie in the search box at the top of my blog and you can read up on all my posts from last year.

This is his second year coming to our house and boy did he come with a bang! The boys woke up to a fully decorated dining room with ribbons on the chairs, pictures on the wall totally covered in wrapping paper, and silver bells and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.

Each of the kids had a personalized letter from Elfie reminding them to be good so they can stay on the nice list. In his lap was a note to me asking me to kindly fix up the food he had brought since he was so tired from traveling and decorating.

Turns out Elfie had brought all the fixings for a proper North Pole Breakfast complete with powdered donuts, berries, bacon and eggnog. Everything got wolfed up in no time and even our Little Guy was caught stuffing his face, mostly full of berries:)

We donned our Seahawk Santa hats because after all, that is appropriate attire for a North Pole Breakfast in the Pacific Northwest!

I can't wait to see what other things Elfie has up his sleeve as we count down to Christmas. Be looking for weekly updates to see all the fun things Elfie brings and does while staying at our house.

(P.S. - For any elves out there looking to duplicate this at their house, I heard that our elf used mostly decorations we had on hand and got the rest at the Dollar Tree and only spent around $10. That frugal little elf!;)

**Here is a post about our 2013 NPB for those interested**