A Mellow Brick Road...: A New Family Tradition

Time has been flying by and this is the first year the holidays have Mommy stressed to the max, but I must say... I am handling the stress very well, if I do say so myself. This year, some weeks back, Mommy decided that I wanted to start a new family tradition, "Elf On The Shelf." Usually, the elf comes out on the first of December, but Mommy only remembered today, December 3rd. So, before Daddy was off to work, Mommy sent him on a mission to find an Elf. The "Elf On The Shelf," is an elf that appears on the 1st of December, he/she, in our case "he," who we named, "Wally," locates himself somewhere in the house each morning. He sits, listens, and watches the two of you all day long, and after bedtime, he flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa if you two were nice or naughty. You can't touch Wally because he'll lose his magic Christmas powers, and Wally doesn't speak, but he you can talk to him, tell him your wishes...he's a great listener! Sometimes Wally makes messes or does silly things, but one thing is for sure, he's keeping an eye on the two of you :)

Well, Daddy came through for Mommy. Daddy rushed back home to drop off our elf, a book telling a story about our elf, and a DVD movie. GiGi came by to have Mommy help her order Christmas gifts online, and then Mommy read the book to GiGi and the two of you. We then watched the movie. By this time it was lunch time. Mommy went to warm up leftover spaghetti, but Daddy ate it ha/ha We need to go to the grocery store (Mommy's least favorite errand), we have no food! Mommy made due and made you both waffles for lunch. Daddy had made you both eggs and bagels for breakfast. After lunch you two went down for a nap. Mommy got busy on compiling a work report, and I watched as Wally roasted marshmallows on Mommy's candelabra on our dining room table. Bodhi, you were so excited to try and find Wally, you just couldn't take a nap. So, it was a no-nap day for you. Buddha, you took about an hour and a half nap, and when you came popping out of your room, you had a big smile on your little face and were shouting, "Mommy, my nap is over... I'm happy!"

Bodhi had already located Wally :) You thought Wally was soooo funny. You didn't know what to think, you kept smiling and saying, "that's really Santa's elf?" Mommy knows you believe in Wally, every time Mommy reminded you that "Wally is watching," you straightened up and made certain to do something "good," like offer your brother a toy ha/ha!!!! Jude, Wally curbed some of your orneriness, but boy oh boy, you were still a hand full!!!

Dinner time rolled around, and our cabinets still empty. Mommy had planned to drop off some toys that you, Ms. Bodhi, said you wanted to donate so "two little babies would have toys to play with," take the recyclables to the bins, exchange a book for Daddy, order our photos, and grocery shop... ha! Mommy managed the two of you, helped GiGi, cleaned (a little) completed my work report, and straightened up some paperwork. Luckily, Mommy had purchased ingredients for a Pinterest recipe for chicken enchiladas, and that was our ONLY option. Cooking dinner took some time uggggh! We all sang and danced while I cooked, and then Mommy lit the candles on the dining room table and we had a special candlelight Mommy and Babies dinner.

Grandpa showed up at dinner time, so after dinner, you two had a new playmate (YES!). Mommy told Grandpa to have at you two, and I quickly fell asleep on the couch. Staying up until 3am the past several nights has taken a toll on Momma. Mommy got a good half hour nap in and felt energized :) Thank you Grandpa! Mommy then threw you two in the bath and off to bed you went. Bodhi, you fell asleep as soon as your head hit the pillow... I was still drying and dressing Jude, you went to your room and to sleepy town you went. Jude man, you went down without a fight, but you came strolling down to Daddy's office a few minutes later. Mommy and Daddy were talking in Daddy's office. Daddy laid on the floor and you laid next to him, falling right to sleep :) Mommy took a shower and then took Ms. Allie for a walk. Baby Ella and Dora Kitty have been accompanying Ms. Allie and Mommy on our walks. We are such a funny sight... Mommy walking Ms. Allie on a leash and two cats following in a line behind us. Dora, however, will not cross the street (she's our smart cookie). Mommy has to carry her across the street :) Nighty night sweet babes. Daddy finally wrote the Thanksgiving blog entry, but Mommy has to add pictures... which will have to wait until tomorrow, Mommy has to get our Christmas cards done and it's 12:30 a.m., ugggh! Nighty night my sweet sweet babes! Mommy and Daddy love you both to the moon and back!