the elf on the shelf

the elf on the shelf works wonders around here. if you haven't heard of it and have kids, look into it for next year. it is amazing!!! the elf comes out right after thanksgiving and leaves right after christmas. we named ours "peppermint" and he hides in new places every morning and reports back to santa in the north pole every night about whether or not kids are good are bad. dottie is VERY scared of a bad report to santa so has been on her best behavior for the whole month. hopefully santa will agree with peppermint that she and esther have been good girls this year! we shall see... (the second picture is of his hiding place this morning)