An elf has been assigned to our house

Talking to our Elf on the Shelf
Originally uploaded by MCuthbert

When I returned home with the girls last night, there was an "Elf on the Shelf" box sitting on the back porch. We can only assume that it came from Santa.

We read the little story about the elf and learned that he flies back to the North Pole each night to deliver a report. He returns before the girls wake, and each day he appears in a different spot (sometimes getting into mischief along the way). Their job is to find him in the morning. They're not supposed to touch him though, or the magic that allows him to fly home each night might rub off. They can, however, talk to him (though Santa's rules forbid him from speaking to us).

Emily and Kendall named our elf "Eddie," and we set him atop the baker's rack in the kitchen (so he can keep an eye on Kendall while she refuses to eat dinner each night). The girls set up chairs in front of his perch and spent 20 minutes chatting to Eddie, listing 142 things they want for Christmas, telling him about how they plan to be good, and detailing other family holiday activities for him.

The girls haven't woken up yet this morning, but I noticed Eddie hanging out in the branches of the Christmas tree. I can't wait to see where he shows up tomorrow.