Another 10 Days with our Elf on the Shelf | My Hot Mess

He always brings fun things for the boys to do. Making memories for them. At least I hope they remember these things when they're older.

Hopefully you poor, poor, unfortunate soles who have an Elf on the Shelf read my first 10 days with our crazy fellow of an elf, Raheem, HERE. If not, you should. 20 days with an Elf can be exhausting ... actually 22 but, we had an accident and he was on bed rest -- you should read the posting HERE.

Any way, here are the last 10 days with our good buddy. Apparently, Star Wars antics are always a pleasure. Especially when Darth Vader uses the force for evil ...

He even decorates his own tree every year. You should really check out my photography page HERE and see more fun Elf shenanigans.

 Of course, we do celebrate WHY we do Christmas ... We love Santa but we aren't naive. I mean, we learn about the "why," the "legend of St. Nick," and of course other religions' holidays.

We get cute silly ...

But we also get progress reports from Santa. Sometimes Raheem tries the dog biscuits and says, "worst cookie ever!" Haha! I made myself giggle with that one.

He always comes with Reindeer food the day he's supposed to go home. The boys hug him and say their good byes once he's packed up and ready for Santa to take him home.

It's all cute and shit right? I mean, I really do love seeing the joy in my boys' eyes when they spot the elf. Or comment on the shenanigans. But BOY! What a nightmare trying to figure out what to do for a whole month. And those crazies, moms, who do it right after Thanksgiving?! You are my hero, because I think next year I'm doing it for WAY less days!

Till next time!

10 Days with the Elf | My Hot Mess

Do y'all have an Elf on the Shelf? You do?

Why?

Because I ask myself that every year when December hits.

History lesson about Pearl Harbor

At first it was FUN. I got to see the joy in my eldest's eye when he spotted Raheem ... that's the name he gave our elf ... When he'd spot Raheem in a different location every day.

Then this happened in 2016 ... the Dogs knocked over Raheem and ... well, we are lucky to say that Raheem managed to get away with just a small "scar" on his cheek and a tore up hat... in which the North Pole Doctor AKA MOM - had to fix.

Acts of kindness (Elf Mission) that only the kids can read.

But shit, that gave me an excuse not to move the little bast... ahem, elf, for TWO WHOLE DAYS!

Game of hide and seek with candy canes.

And then, when he COULD "move" I half-assed it. Well, not really, I should've but why be half-assed when you can be great?! Crafts and window clings ... you can't go wrong with that!

Harry Potter was a definite hit ... but to my surprise not as "cool" as my Spiderman shot a few years back.

See? That's the problem with the Elf on the Shelf.

You have to be careful how cool you go because these kids expect Raheem to do something FANTASTIC every night. And does it even curb their naughty-ness?

NO.

The answer is NO.

Sure, Suzy may act right for you. Or Jose for you.

But my kids?

Pft.

Nope.

He left trees to plant for next Christmas... or years from now. But We still haven't planted the seeds...

Why do I even bother?

Because I want them to enjoy being creative as much as I do.

Is it working?

Hell, I have no clue. But I sure hope it is.

Because these first 10 days with Raheem has been a bitch. And I know you guys feel my pain.

And why, oh why, does the Elf get all the damn credit?!

I'll share the last 10 days with Raheem in 2016 soon! Until then, have your Elf break a leg or 

something. ;)

For more ideas for your Elf follow me on Facebook and/or check out past blogs on our Elf HERE! Or HERE. AND HERE. 

Wait, What Day is It? | My Hot Mess

Uh, guys ... did you know today is November 30th?

Like ... December will be here tomorrow.

Like ... what the what?!

I'm sooooo not ready for December!

I still have Thanksgiving decorations up.

I know right? GASP!

HAHA!

I know many of my friends have had Christmas decor up since like, Halloween was over.

Not me, I'm a one holiday a month kinda girl. And I ride it out too.

Halloween decor went up in middle of October, stayed until I put up the Thanksgiving decor...a week into November ... and Christmas decor probably won't go up until Mid-December.

Normally, they'd be going up tomorrow, or this weekend, but I'll be out of town for Army training, and face it. The decorating ain't my husband's thing. LOL I MAY get him out this weekend to hang lights, but I'm not banking on it.

captured a pic of santa last year next to our Trees for Troops tree!

He's in charge of getting the tree while I'm gone because Trees for Troops is the 9th and I'll be gone (or I'd be getting it). LOL I love him, but he's not a decorator. LOL

Do you guys partake in Trees for Troops? You should! It's for military members E6 and below to get a free tree! A REAL TREE. Shooooooot, I take advantage of it every year, and I'm pretty sure this will be the last as my husband does like to get promoted ... haha!

I seriously encourage you to see if they'll be stopping by your post/base this year. Check them out HERE. I love it because we also get a little note from a child or someone who paid for the tree to thank us for our service. So sweet. <3

Also, we have one of those pesky elves that come every year. Normally he shows up after Thanksgiving, or at least the 1st of Dec, he ain't coming until I get back from training ... how will I explain it to the kids?

They've been misbehaving ... so "Raheem" is fed up ... he ain't coming. The eldest is already afraid that the elf doesn't know our new address ... haha!

Kinda trick scare them?

Or maybe say something like he's still making toys at the North Pole ... some shit like that. I don't know. The husband says I'm better at the elf stunts and he forgets a lot of the time. So, the elf will have to wait. LOL

Speaking of new addresses, we still haven't taken our family photo for the Christmas card. It is going to have our new address on it... but the way it's been going, I'll be answering multiple texts and messages and emails with our new address with people individually asking for it instead of being "pleasantly surprised with a beautiful card with our smiling faces on it proclaiming 'WE'VE MOVED!'"

Oh well ... life happens right? 

Who decided to make Oct-Dec the busiest months out there? Like, the year is coming to an end and the Mayans were like, "Shit! we forgot all these holidays! ADD THEM IN QUICK!"

LOL -- I know my history folks. Just go with it.

After all these holidays, my eldest's birthday is in the beginning of January too ... so like, straight from Christmas gifts to New Year sparkling cider to birthday gifts.

Guys, I don't even know what is going on an hour from now ... what day is it?!

Hang in there people, the holiday's will be over soon and soon, we can relax ... until February.

Good luck!