Elf-on-the-Shelf: Climbing?

This morning Max wasn't on the washing machine where he normally is.  I was worried.  Did he forget to come back?  Was he somewhere in the house up to something?  Where was he? 

Well, it didn't take me long to find out.  Before I went to search for clues I needed to head into the bathroom to clean up and get started for the day.  As soon as I walked in the door I spotted him.  Evidently Max decided to do a  little climbing.  The theme in the downstairs bathroom is an ocean theme and there is 'fishing net' that hangs on the wall with various things in it.  One of the things hanging in it this morning was Max.  He looked like he was a bit stuck.  His arm and leg were both twisted in the rope.  I wish I knew how long he had been there. 

I wanted to be upset with him, but something tells me he was probably regretting trying to climb up the net and getting stuck.  It was probably a pretty scary thing!   What an Elf!  Oh well, hope you have a good day and enjoy this picture of Max climbing in the bathroom.  Merry Christmas!

Elf-on-the-Shelf: A Note

This morning was a delightful surprise!  Max brought a note back for me!  It looks like he wrote it himself and he even drew me a tree!  It is so sweet and I am not as frustrated about having to clean up some of his messes.  He may be a little bit of a rascal, but he really is cute! 

This morning Max was on the washing machine as he has been the last several mornings and he had this note with him.  Isn't it sweet?

My day has started out really nice and I hope your has (did) too! Now I have to work on studying since he has reminded me (my niece has been on me about it too) and write up my Christmas list!  Merry Christmas!

Elf-on-the-Shelf: and the Barbies

Today Dad and I had to do some traveling.  Since I am not allowed to drive because of my injury, my father has to take me around.  Anyway, we left in the morning to go to Athens so that I could check on my house, get the mail, pick up some medications, etc.  Then we had to get to Columbus for a doctor's appointment that I had scheduled. 

I was a little nervous.  Leaving all day like that meant leaving Max alone in the house for the entire day.  Would he be able to handle it?  He had done a good job the day before, so I was willing to trust him.  Sunday night I laid him down on the chair to sleep and in the morning he was on the washing machine again.  I guess that must be his designated return spot in the house.  I put him back on the chair before we left and told him to be good.

When we got home, this is what I found...

Evidently Max was bored.  He must have needed some company and something fun to do.  He and the Barbies were playing my Barbie Queen of the Prom board game.  He wasn't winning, but he seemed to be doing well.  There didn't seemed to be anything else out of place in the house; so all-in-all he wasn't too bad.  I will just say I don't like having to clean up after him but I have a feeling this may be something I have to work on with him (and have to get used to!)

Well, I hope you enjoy my photo for the day.  Max sure is making things lively around here!  Merry Christmas!

Elf-on-the-Shelf: Frosty the Snowman

Today is Max's second day with me.  We had a nice quiet night and I am assuming he went back to the North Pole over night at some point. I didn't have a note or anything from Santa; but I'm not expecting too much.  I will say that I am pretty sure he did go somewhere as I laid him down on the recliner to 'sleep' again, with a stern warning about parties, and in the morning he was sitting on the washing machine. I didn't find anything out of place, so as of now I am not concerned.

This afternoon though, Max seemed to get restless.  While I was upstairs for a while he must have been looking for something fun to do.  When I came back down stairs I found him reading a book.  Check out my pictures below!

This is a really old copy of 'Frosty the Snowman' that my Mom got a few weeks ago.  He really seemed to be enjoying it.  I was a little frustrated when I saw that he had gotten into the candy again; but I won't make a big deal about that.  He sure looks cute reading his book!

Anyway, hope you like Max's picture for today.  He had a good day and I hope he keeps it up!  Merry Christmas!

Elf-on-the-Shelf: Max Arrived...

At about 5:30 this morning I woke up to a strange sound.  I laid in bed for a moment and listened.  The sound of tinkling Christmas music was coming from the opposite side of the wall.  I was rather confused, and a little nervous.  However, I knew I needed to check it out; and I wanted to go back to sleep. 

So, I got out of bed and went to see what was going on.  Boy was I in for a surprise!  Max, the Elf-in-Training had arrived.  He didn't just show up and sit on a shelf and bring a note to say hello.  No, he decided to have a party.  With several of the Christmas ornaments and decorations from around the house. A full-out party with snacks, music, a Christmas Tree, and games!  He must be a creative Elf! 

Anyway, as soon as I came around the corner it seemed 'everyone' froze in there spot, but the music that was coming from a snow globe played on.  I quickly cleaned up the snacks, boxed up the ornaments and decorations to be put back in their proper places in the morning and took Max to settle down for the rest of the night.  I told him, rather sternly, that it was the middle of the night and that we do not party and wake people up in the middle of the night.  I laid him down on the recliner, covered him with a blanket and prayed he would sleep for the rest of the night without causing further mischief!

Before I cleaned everything up, I did get a photo of Max and his new 'friends.'  It did look like they were having fun.  I just hope they don't wake me up again and that maybe they can clean up after themselves next time!

Well, I hope you enjoy this first picture of Max.  He is a cute little Elf.  He is very different from the other Elves-on-the-Shelf that my niece and nephews have, but I suppose just like people Elves come in all sizes, shapes and colors!  Happy December and Merry Christmas!

As you can see Max and some of the party goers were playing dice.  Others were enjoying refreshments: marshmallows, chocolates, whipped cream and peppermints!  They event had jingle bells to play to go along with the music from the snow globe!

Max the Elf-in-Training (and friends!)

Elf-In-Training: Letter from Santa!!!!!

Wow!  I am beyond excited.  Today I got a letter in the mail and I can hardly contain myself!  It was from Santa!  He has enlisted my help to train an Elf-on-the-Shelf!  I feel so privileged!  I felt since I have been asked to do this that I would share my adventures with my Elf here with all of you.  Specifically so that my niece, nephews, and my friend's children from across the state and country can see what my elf is up to throughout the month.

So, I will post pictures daily of what my elf is doing (his name is Max!)  Below I've included my first picture of the letter that I received from Santa!  I can't wait until Max arrives and we get to spend some time together!  Let me know if you have an Elf that comes to visit you and what type of things he/she does at your house!  (I'll post the script of the letter below since it might be hard to read on the actual letter.  There is a lot of glitter on it!)

November 26, 2012

Dear Ms. Bumgardner;

I hope this letter finds you doing well.  I know you have been injured and I sincerely hope that you are healing.  Part of my reason for writing you however, is due to your injury.  Since you are currently not working and away from the children that you normally care for I wanted to write and ask you a special favor. 

Each year I send out thousands of Elves to keep watch over boys and girls all over the world.  They help me to keep track of these children and then report back to me on each child’s individual behavior.  I then am able to decide if the children have been good boys or girls and should receive Christmas gifts from me.

Since I am responsible for so many children it requires me to have a large working force of elves.  This year I have many new elves who are in training.  Due to your special skills in child care and  as an Aunt, I have selected you to be an Elf Trainer.  I will be sending one of my Elves-In-Training to come to your house from the night of December 1st through the night of December 24th. 

The Elf-In-Training who will be coming to you is Max (I hear you have a nephew with that name as well); but we usually call him Rascal as he has a slight tendency to get in trouble.  That is specifically why I wanted to send him to you, as I feel you can handle him.

Please let me know if Max causes any trouble.  I will send you an email with my personal account so that you can report to me if there are any problems.

Thank you so much!  Good Luck and I hope you have fun!!!!

Merry Christmas;

Santa Claus

November 9th: Around the yard