Last year we started the tradition of The Elf On The Shelf. He visits until Christmas and watches over the kids and reports back to Santa what he sees. He came with a story book and in it the kids got to name him- of course my kids had no problems coming up with a totally appropriate elf name: Chazz Star. (For real it’s way better than Buddy or Santa.)

Each night he’d fly to a new spot in the house (if Mom & Dad remembered in their exhausted holiday haze, and amazingly, we did, with a few very close calls in the morning as the kids woke up and we were all Look! Over there! And quickly threw Chazz up on the fridge or in the Christmas tree branches.)

This year hubby asked when I was going to put the elf out and I was like, elf? Oh yeah. Where did I put him? I thought for sure I’d find him as I dug out Christmas decorations but I remember hiding him somewhere less obvious so that the kids wouldn’t know it was US that was behind the magic of Chazz Star.

Anyway, I found him last night and the kids noticed him on the shelf pretty quickly. And that’s when Gray decided that Chazz is SCARY and HE’S LOOKING AT ME and I glanced up at him and he totally WAS looking at Gray.

I keep telling the kids they’re suppose to go talk to Chazz and tell him what they want for Christmas. Noah asked if he could ask for money. No you can’t ask for money I said huffily. Then he turns to me with his puppy dog eyes and says I just wanted money so I could help you buy groceries and stuff.

Ok, suck up. (And I admit it made me misty, that child and his heart.) Also? Total suck up.

Every other hour Gray comes up to me and crouches out of the elf’s view. He’s scaring me, Mommy.

Only 22 days until Christmas!

P.S. I’m going to tell you where I hide Chazz this time and ask you about it next year, so remember, okay?

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a baby girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph .