Elf on a Shelf

For the past couple of years I have been looking at the Elf on a Shelf online and in the stores and waiting until both Cameron and Tucker were old enough to enjoy this tradition.  And so this is the year that the elf arrived from the North Pole.

While out shopping today I grabbed one up and some shiny metallic bright red wrapping paper that looks like it comes straight from the North Pole.  It worked out perfectly.  While the kiddos were up in the bonus room playing the Wii, I wrapped the elf up downstairs.  I wrote a note that said, "From the NORTH POLE". 

I opened up the garage door and went out like I was going to throw out trash.  I then went around to the front door and put the shiny package on the front step and rang the doorbell about ten times "elf style" and ran back to the garage.  I could hear the kids crashing down the stairs and as soon as they ran past, I snuck back inside and came from behind them like I had been in the back room.  They never suspected a thing.

We had just put up our Christmas lights this weekend so they were on and it totally added to the magic of the event.  Cameron, always ready to outsmart you on every situation was completely dumbfounded.  Tucker, always a little more trusting was just excited to open the package. 

We read the story and were informed that we would need to pick a name for our elf.  Easier said than done with these two kiddos.  So we started with Cameron's choice, Jingle Bell.  Tucker wanted to just name him Tucker.  Then Brody.  Then Frosty.  Then he decided on Jingle Bell.  Then Matt tried to help out and got them even more confused with a variety of names, some inappropriate ones along the lines of Seymour Butts, etc.  Finally we agreed on Bubba Jingle. 

I am really looking forward to having something fun and magical for the kids, but I am especially looking forward to the fact that this elf will be reporting all behavior to Santa.  Of course we tried it tonight with going to bed and they didn't even flinch.  Just continued on with whatever they wanted.  So we will see how effective this little guy really is. 

I just did move him to his first location, which is in the hanging light in the dining room.  Looking forward to thinking of creative locations for the kids to find Bubba Jingle.  So what about you?  Have you used the Elf on a Shelf?  Any good suggestions for hiding places?  The countdown is on to Christmas and I am excited!