“It’s time to clean up,” I yell down to the boys.
“I DON’T WANT TO CLEAN. I HATE YOU MOMMY,” screamed my little redhead. My blood started to boil, but instead of yelling I calmly and clearly replied, “Oh, you shouldn’t talk to your mom like that, Santa is watching.”
Immediately the tears and screams stopped and the only sound I heard was the clink of LEGOS being dropped into the bin.
Ah, Christmas.
Twinkling lights, Christmas trees, presents and best of all Santa and his sidekick the Elf on the Shelf.
I’m not a huge fan of the Elf on the Shelf, or Elfie as we so originally named him. The amount of time, effort and Pinteresting people put into making their Elf sneak cookies or have parties with Barbies, makes our Elfie look like a slacker. He once stayed in the same place for the whole Christmas season and I just told the kids it was his favorite spot.
However, he does serve his purpose, just like Santa. Thanks to the red-suited duo, my children are “angels” {I use that term loosely}, and seem to listen better and be more compliant when it comes to cleaning, bathing and getting their shoes on.
This is the Christmas magic that no one speaks about.
It’s like a little mom secret.
I’m sure a mom created the Elf on the Shelf just for this purpose. The kids need a visual sometimes. Santa is great, but to have those beady elf eyes staring at you every day and night would make me be on my best behavior too.
Unfortunately, this Christmas magic is almost over. Soon the presents will be ripped open, the tree will be kindling and Elfie and Santa will head back to the North Pole to hibernate.
I’ll be counting down the months, days, hours and minutes until November 27, 2015 when Elfie and Santa will return.
