Ralph the Elf

The Elf on the Shelf made a visit to the Clark home this year for the holiday season and we will admit it did work wonders in encouraging good behavior from James - which is it's purpose we suppose.  The notion is that the Elf is sent as Santa's little helper to watch over kids and then each night he flies back to the North Pole report to Santa each night if they kids are behaving or not.  Upon returning to the house each morning he appears in the house in a different spot.  The kids are not to touch the Elf as he loses his magic. 

December 1st marked Ralph's arrival - he brought hot cocoa and powdered sugar (snow) donuts from the North Pole.  We read the book together and then asked James to name his Elf - after several retreats back into his bedroom to think about it and several name ideas that were dismissed (Target and Chair) he came back and told us, "his name is Ralph because it rhymes with Elf!"  And so it began ... each morning James would rush to find us and then work to find Ralph in the house right after he woke up.  It was pretty fun to see his reaction each day.  Here is a picture timeline of all of Ralph's antics at the Clark household in 2012!

Ralph reading to his Christmas friends.

Ralph managed to get James' bike inside the house for a joy ride in the living room.

Just hanging out in the chandelier.

Ralph loves peanut butter just as much as James does.

Ralph took a sick day and hung out in the Kleenex box.

Marshmallow bubble bath with his friend Rubber Ducky.

School bus driver Ralph at your service.

Ho Ho Ho, Elf had to go potty too!

Even Ralph wishes the NHL season was "on."  Let's play hockey boys!

Eating some Cheerios for breakfast.

Ralph watched over Henry in his crib one night too!

Ralph made a mess in the bathroom trying to brush his teeth.

Snow angels in sugar and sprinkles!

Egg nog anyone?

Gone fishin'!

Running off some holiday cookies!

T.P.ing the Christmas tree!

Hanging out in James' stocking.

Driving the train just like James!

In honor of Unca Dan and Auntie Aimee's bungee jump this fall - Ralph took the plunge too!

Conductor Ralph makes his way around the tree on the Lego Train.

In true rookie fashion, Mom and Dad forgot to send Ralph with Grandma and Grandpa Clark when the boys spent two nights there over the weekend leading up to Christmas, but we kept Ralph's antics up so James could see what he was up to. 

Here he is sleeping in James bed, crying because he's wondering where James is.

Upon the boys return, a note from Ralph - I miss James and his farewell letter was attached as well. 

James bid farewell to Ralph on Christmas Eve - and finally got to give him a hug and touch him (up until then you couldn't touch him or he lost his magic!) and we worked to explain to him that he'd be back next year but that he was flying back to the North Pole for good that night until next year.  James still isn't convinced he's gone and keeps asking when Ralph is coming back or when he himself can go to the North Pole.  We think the notion of the whole elf watching over him worked pretty well to keep his behavior in check over the holiday season, one mention of Ralph and he would reply that "Ralph would be telling Santa that he was a good boy."  We keep joking they need Easter Elf, 4th of July Elf ... etc.  We're guessing he'll be back next year as well and hopefully we can come up with some new ideas and antics for "Ralph the Elf" to partake in.

We  know this will be something fun to continue in the years to come and can't wait to see Henry enjoy it too.