« December 1st »

. . . here it is past 1 am in the morning again and I am still up . . . I must stop doing this . . . we had a visitor arrive this new day . . . and I needed to ensure that everything was setup just perfectly for his arrival (and that everyone was soundly sleeping before he arrived . . . especially since I have little light sleepers in my house who all have these amazing radars that go off just when I am about to do something I don't want them to know about) . . .

. . . literally, minutes after I had put the ladder away and sat at my laptop to download this very photo . . . there was my son . . . standing right there beside me! Why does this always happen to me? I kept him from the living room, which is where Elfie has made his miraclous return and quickly shuffled him back to bed . . . but naturally, my bed and not his bed. {I have no idea where I will be sleeping in say, oh, a half an hour or so, but that is an entirely different dilemma.

I'm going to document and photography lovely Remus(the name my kiddos have given to Elfie) and post each day about his antics! I have lots in store for my kids this year.

I also set out the teeny, tiny pails that I purchased and filled with little tidbits for Advent this year. This will be in addition to the normal cardboard box full of chocolates my kidlets normally have each December. Now that my children are getting older, I think they are able to have a lot of fun with the holiday season. I truly can't wait! I have more in store for them these next few weeks!

**please forgive the darkness of these photos . . . all were taken at 1AM!

Comments

[Stacia]

I'm glad Remus's arrival remained a secret, despite the close call. Looks like a fun holiday at your house!

[Kathy]

This is so fun! Your kids are so lucky to have a mom as creative as you.

Kathy

[Sherrie]

Hi!
This is so cute! Love the little Elf and the buckets. What a surprise when they wake up. Have a great day!

Sherrie
Food for Thought

[emily]

Wow...you put a lot of work into this! Fortunately it was spoiled in the wee hours of the morning! Looks like you all will be having a very fun filled holiday season!

[secret mom thoughts]

can't wait to see Elfie's antics.

[Nessa]

I can never be sneaky either... hope you got some sleep. What a cute spot to hide an elf.

[Kate@Daffodils]

Love your elf! My little guys are too little to 'get it' I think, but I cant wait for next year!

[Melanie`]

Elfie looks like quite the character! LOVE your creative ideas. Your kiddos have a very cool mama!

[Brooke]

You are such a good Momma! I thought about the advent calendar thing at... oh 11pm last night. Doh! Every year I kick myself when I see all the cute ideas. NEXT YEAR, for sure ;D

Hope you got at least a little bit of sleep. Grr.... seems like we are up at all hours in our house too.

PS - love your pics from Cuneo. You got some AMAZING shots.

[Dina @ 4 Lettre Words]

Never seen that idea for the advent before and I love it!

[deb duty]

Sounds like some fun Christmas traditions!

[Serendipity is Sweet]

Wow, you are supermom! I love your advent idea. You are making some wonderful memories for your kids ;) And I think your pics are great.

[Tamar]

That looks so fun and I am sure your little ones will love it! Happy December!

[XLMIC]

How totally FUN!!!! So glad you were not found out :)

[Gina]

HA- we have an elf. His name is Stanley. He arrived last Christmas & we decided he would stay out all year to watch the kids. Each night I would hide him in a new spot & the kids would find him the next morning. Around the beginning of November- he went away to share all his info with Santa & had returned this morning to continue watching. Only now he will just stay on the mantle. I am so glad I don't have to find a hiding spot for him anymore. I think I ran out of good spots.

[andi]

i just heard about the "elf on a shelf." cute idea with the pails. thanks for linking up

[Breena]

So creative! Thanks so much for linking up at "Life as this Mommy knows It"!

Breena
mommyknowslife.blogspot.com

[Lianne]

Love these pictures!! And the advent pails are so cute! What a great idea for a Christmas tradition!

Thanks for linking up last week! Come back soon and link up more great photos sometime this week!

-Lianne <a href="http://thestewartestate.blogspot.com">Snap till your heart's {content} @ a content housewife {blog}</a>