December 11th

At Zach's preschool they have "centers", or areas of play.  One popular center is the house center.  About 6 weeks ago they changed the house center to a pizza shop.  There is a table, menu, cash register, oven, and wood pieces to make different kinds of pizza.  The kids take turns being the cook, waiter, or diner.  Zach LOVED the pizza center.  This week they turned the pizza center into an elf center.  There are boxes, ribbons, bows, and wrapping paper for the kids to play with.  This is also a BIG hit with Zach.  Elfie must have been practicing getting presents ready for Christmas too because this morning we found him stuck in a gift bag!

December 10th

Who would have guessed that Elfie likes Spiderman just like Zach?  This morning we found him coloring a picture under the Christmas tree.

December 9th

Zach found Elfie reading Christmas books to all of his stuffed friends this morning.  He sat right down and "listened" to the story too!  We also decorated the gingerbread house today.  Zach really got into it and did a great job.

December 8th

This morning Elfie put antlers on some of Zach's monster trucks and turned them into reindeer pulling his sleigh.  He also brought a ring toss game you wear on your head and another giving task for Zach.  He was to donate treats to the Animal Rescue League.

December 7th

While we were sleeping, Elfie snuck into bed and stamped Zach's face with Elf stampers!  Elfie must have a hard time seeing in the dark because all the stamps were upside down, but Zach didn't seem to mind!  :)  He also left a Grinch hooded towel and a slide whistle.  Happy Friday!

December 6th - Evening

Tonight we went to Jolly in the Junction at Valley Junction.  We got to see reindeer and Santa and Zach got the coolest balloon hat (Rudolph).  The highlight had to be seeing Grandma Bailey, Jenny, & Aunt Nancy and getting cookies!

December 6th

Today Elfie brought a toy house all decorated for Christmas, complete with Christmas lights.  He also brought a gingerbread house for Zach to decorate (thank you Grandma Bailey!).  Christmas tree cookies magically grew from the magic beans Zach planted last night.

December 5th

Wednesday Elfie brought Zach an Elf hat and officially made him one of Santa's elves.  He also brought another good deed task and some magic seeds.

December 4th

This morning Elfie was hanging from the TV with Elf jammies for Zach!  He even brought inflatable elf shoes to complete the ensemble!

December 3rd

Today we found Elfie in front of the Christmas tree riding a horse jousting with Truman riding Rudolph!  They were both wearing homemade metal armour.  Elfie left Zach some amour and a shield so he could play too!

 

 

 

 

December 2nd

Lately I have been struggling with the thought of parenting through the holidays.  Kids can't watch Saturday morning cartoons without at least 10 commercials for a slew of new toys.  Every day we get a stack of catalogs in the mail showcasing the latest and greatest must-have stuff.  Every where you look there is a message telling you that you NEED this or that.  It's a lot for an adult to handle, and super overwhelming for a 3 year old.

I feel like the most important thing we can teach Zach is the importance and power of giving to others, especially during the holidays.  Elfie and Santa are helping us spread the message.  Every few days instead of Elfie being all about Zach, he is going to give Zach a task that will help him brighten someone else's day.  Sunday was Elfie's first giving message.  Zach was to call Grandma (Chris' mom) & Mimi (my mom) and tell them how much he loved them.  Before bed we talked about the calls.  He was so proud of himself for making Grandma & Mimi happy.

December 1st

This morning Zach got quite the surprise when he tried to go downstairs to find Elfie.  Elfie had taped up streamers to the door closing it off.  He was hanging down with tickets for us to have breakfast with Santa.  Zach felt like a superhero busting through the paper "saving" us!

Breakfast with Santa was a great time and Zach looked absolutely adorable in his little bow tie.  I know I have said it a million times, but that kid just melts me!  Santa gave each kid a coloring/sticker book and a stuffed reindeer.  Zach named his reindeer Santa since Santa gave it to him and has carried it around non-stop.