Elf on the Shelf

We are starting a new tradition in our family this year, Elf on the Shelf!
This is a lovely book that comes with an elf.

The elf shows up at your home around the holidays and stays until Santa comes. His job is to check on the children in your house and report back to Santa Claus each night. When he returns in the morning, he might show up in odd places like in the chandelier, the refridgerator or the car. He loves to show up in the places that will really catch your child by surprise! The story tells you to name your elf. Some examples are Jingle, Markley, Bizzle, or Crumpet. After some deep thought, Grace chose the name "Christmas."

You are not supposed to touch the elf, or he will lose his magic. Try telling that to a two year old!

Favorite Children's Book

As an elementary school teacher, I have LOTS of favorite children's books. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I Love You Forever, and The Hello Goodbye Window are just a few of these. However, when I found this book right after Grace was born, it instantly became my all time favorite...

The words are absolutely beautiful! Here is just a snippet of the book, with pictures of my baby on the night she was born:

"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "Life will never be the same." Because there had never been anyone like you... ever in the world."

"Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes."

"Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born."

Grand Dad meeting Grace for the first time

I love to read this book with Grace. It says exactly how special her Daddy and I think she is and how much we wanted her. The pictures inside are equally as beautiful. Go check out Nancy Tillman's website to see more books written by her!