Elf on the Shelf Return

Today is December 1st and today our Elf on the Shelf, Buddy, returned.

We had a big "Welcome Back" breakfast (for dinner) to celebrate. 

Our breakfast was "gingerbread" themed and it was so fun. 

Turns out, Santa sent reinforcements this year. Buddy brought a friend back to us this year.
Bailey promptly named her "Sparkle" and fell in love with her. 

Here was our centerpiece. The kids were so excited to decorate it. 

And the place settings.

Our breakfast consisted of gingerbread man shaped pancakes, which kids got to decorate, bacon and scrambled eggs. Then we had milk and hot cocoa to drink. 

It was a big hit with the kiddos. 

Even little Tuck enjoyed some pancakes. 

After we finished breakfast, we decorated our gingerbread house.
Tanner was so awesome this year. I piped the frosting but he told me where to put it and put on a lot of the candy. We had to let Bailey help a little, but Tanner did the majority of our house this year. 

They are pretty proud of their gingerbread house. 

My kids are getting so big and I have a feeling this Christmas is going to be a lot of fun. 

Then Daddy read the kids the "Elf on the Shelf" book and we let each of the kids give their elves some snuggles before they weren't allowed to touch them all month. 

It so hard to not touch the elves. (If children touch them, they lose their magic and they can't move or do fun stuff at night). So letting them get their snuggles out in the beginning helps. 

To finish off our return party, the kids let Tucker open the gift our elves brought us.
Tucker tore the wrapping paper off to reveal two Christmas books. The kids were thrilled.
(I love that my kids adore books so much). 

I hope our elves feel properly welcomed because we are ready for some fun this holiday.