Brita the Elf

Last year we started The Elf on the Shelf. I don't do anything too elaborate with her. 

I know some people hate this elf. It's extra work on the parent's part, even though he/she is supposed to watch for good or bad behavior - kid's behavior doesn't change for the elf, and other random reasons.

I'll tell you why I like her:

• She encouraged Isaak to read and write last year. Isaak would write our Elf Brita, and Brita would write him back. If you remember Isaak's never been much of a reader, so I'll take anything that gets him to read and write.
  

• She encourages creative thinking. 

A few days ago Brita left a a paper train of people. Isaak has been trying to make a paper train ever since that day.

• The boy's other toys get played with. I use Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle(s) as Brita's side kicks. 

They were zip lining across our kitchen.

 

• Brita sometimes gets Isaak up in the mornings. At times he jumps out of bed to go find her. 

Floating in a boat.

 

•  She puts a smile on both boy's faces. 

She was hanging with Michelangelo up until this point. Leonardo took Michelangelo's spot. He kissed her.

 

Poor  Michelangelo was throwing a jealous fit.

• She gets rid of things that Mom and Dad want gone, but Isaak want's to keep. 

Isaak has been getting stickers from school for "good behavior". He leaves these stickers laying everywhere. Michelangelo decided to stick them on Brita. Isaak wasn't too happy about this one.

 

 

Pinterest has a lot of ideas. If you find that you're not super creative there's a lot of ideas online.

 

We have had a few elf hiccups. 

 

Isaak thought the elf was supposed to bring him presents. I said, "Nope, possibly sometimes (like the Kisses), but it's Santa's job is to bring the presents. Brita is just here to watch you, and do funny things." If he doesn't expect presents, than it will be all the more special when she does bring things. 

Isaak thought it would be fun to hide the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to see if they really would take part in Brita's antics. It's his own way of testing his faith in her I suppose. I've had trouble finding them twice. 

Elf on the Shelf - More Pranks

I haven't taken pictures of what Brita our Elf on the Shelf has done every day. I've been trying here and there. 

Isaak still writes her notes. If anything came out of having an Elf on the Shelf - Isaak's getting some writing skills down. He certainly needs the practice. 

Letter: 

Dear Brita,

Are you boing (doing) well today and every other day.(?) p.s. I like gold(.) What is your favorite color.(?) Why do you always hide and Be(be) funny. Love (, Isaak)

Brita wrote him back on the other side saying:

Dear Isaak,

I am doing well. I do miss you and your brother when you are in school. My favorite color is red because I wear it all the time. I like to hide because it's funny watching you and your brother run around to try and find me. 

Love,

Brita

I got this next idea from masshole mommy.
Her snowmen's noses look better than mine. I had orange gum drops, so I cut them in 1/2 and used those as noses.

Then Brita was in the refrigerator all cuddled up because she was so cold. 

Another night I was mad. I went to get out my sprinkle box, and the lid got caught. Sprinkles went all over inside the box. You could say I've had the dropsies lately. I would have saved them, but the box wasn't exactly clean. Instead of taking full blame, I dumped them on the floor. Brita got into them. Ya that's who did it. ;)

Brita Update

We have the Elf on the Shelf for the first time this year. 

I didn't know how much the boys would get into it, but they really have. Isaak writes her letters every day. If anything Brita coming around has upped Isaak's writing skills.

Brita and Leonard had a marshmallow fight, and got 2 cups of joe ready for the morning.

Daddy rolled his eyes at me when I got Brita. When he saw how into Brita Isaak was, he to got into placing her around the house. 

First Dad placed Brita on the ceiling fan helping Leonardo up.

Then Dad had Brita and Leonardo getting into the cereal box. Cute butt shot!

Then I took over, and had Brita get into my makeup. Doesn't she look pretty?

She wrote an apology letter saying over and over again, "I am sorry. I will not get into your Mom's makeup again."

I had Brita sleeping all cuddled up in Isaak's room the next night. Mica got super jealous that day.

The next night she hid candy canes on Mica's drawers.

She got into Isaak underwear drawer, and decided to decorate the tree with them. At least they were clean.

I'm not struggling for ideas just yet. So far I'm kind of glad we got this Elf on the Shelf.