red & rosie

a few years ago, our own elf on the shelf arrived in the petrous home.  i don't think harper truly understood that first year what it was all about.  but over time, she has come to grasp it and finds it funny and magical.  i know there are some that think this whole elf thing is odd.  that he's creepy because he's always watching.  that parents are lying to their children and fooling them.  i hear that, but i also see the girls faces light up each morning, remembering their daily mission to find out where the elf is hiding and what he may have been up to overnight.  and when they find him, and they laugh and they run to us and happily and giddily tell us to come and see! that's what this is all about.  the wonder and the magic of christmas.  they're only little for a short while.  why can't it be joyous and magical?

last year, red came back with a wintry bang.  he brought snowman donuts and a fun breakfast scene.  and then his daily antics began.  and a few weeks later, he decided the harper and crosby team were too much to handle for just one elf, so he brought along reinforcements and introduced a new elf to us.  harper named her rosie, and the r & r duo certainly made us giggle.

this year, the pair returned and being in our new home, they have definitely had their fair share of new places to hide.  more of their adventures to come.  for now, here are photos from 2012.