Meet Scottie the Elf & Oodles too!

Scottie is the newest member of our family.  He was sent to us special delivery from the North Pole.  He also comes with this special book: The ELF on the SHELF A Christmas Tradition. The story goes like this:

Have you ever wondered how Santa could know if you're naughty or nice each year as you grow?  For hundreds of years it's been a big secret.  It now can be shared if you promise to keep it.

At holiday time Santa sends me to you.  I watch and report on all that you do.  My job's an assignment from Santa himself.  I am his helper, a friendly scout elf.

The first time I come to the place you call home you quickly must give me a name of my own.  Once you are finished my mission can start.  What will you call me - Markle or Zart?  Will it be Foddle, Criddle, or Clyde?  Fisbee's cute, too, but you must decide.

Each night while you're sleeping to Santa I'll fly to the North Pole right through the dark sky.  Of course Christmas magic helps me to be quick.  I laugh with my friends and report to Saint Nick.

I tell him if you have been good or been bad.  The news of the day makes him happy or sad.  A push or a shove I'll report to "the Boss," but small acts of kindness will not be a loss.  In the car, at the park, or even at school the word will get out if you broke a rule.

I'll be back at your home before you awake, and then you must find the new spot I will take.  You'll jump out of bed and come running to see:  who'll be the first to spy little old me?

Maybe the kitchen, the bathroom, or den is where you will find me, your special elf friend.  I can hide on a plant, a shelf, or a frame.  Where will I be?  Let's make it a game.

There's only one rule that you have to follow so I will come back and be here tomorrow:  Please do not touch me.  My magic might go, and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know.

I won't get to tell him that you've said your prayers, or helped to bake cookies, or cleaned off the stairs.  How will he know how good you have been?  He might start to think you forgot about him.

I can't speak to you, so says Santa Claus.  All of us elves have to follow his laws.  I'll listen to you.  Tell me your wishes.  Would you like a game or some tiny toy dishes?  The gleam in my eye and my bright little smile shows you I'm listening and noting your file.

The final decision with Santa now rests.  What do you think?  Will you get your request?  The night before Christmas my job's at an end.  The rest of the year with Santa I'll spend.

So blow me a kiss and bid me farewell.  I'll fly away when I hear Santa's bell.  Of course I will miss you, but wait 'til next year.  When the holidays come I'll again reappear.

Until then I wish every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy.

This tradition began for The Brammer Family on November 29, 2010.  We welcomed our elf by naming him Scottie.

The kids were so excited that an elf would be staying in our house until Christmas.  Brooke and I wanted to name the elf Oodles but Jace insisted that his name be Scott.  We compromised with Scottie.  Each morning they wake up and and run around the house until they find where Scottie is going to be watching them from that day.  The second day, Jace even wrote a letter to Santa.   He cut a picture of the Iron man robot that he wants for Christmas out of a target ad, pasted it to a piece of paper and wrote I want this for Christmas  From, Jace. He put the letter next to Scottie and the next morning he noticed that his letter was gone.  It had been delivered to Santa for him.

Although, most of the time Scottie the elf has been a pleasure to be around ... last week Jace had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day and it was reported back to me that he was officially on the 'naughty list'.  I informed him of this after all of his misdeeds that day and he looked at me and said "Dang it!  I do NOT like having that elf in this house!"  I had to catch myself from laughing.  He continued with "Sometimes I just like being naughty and when he wasn't here you would see me sometimes but not ALL the time."  I told him he would just have to learn to be nice if he wants to be on the 'nice' list and get a present from Santa.

We went to the mall a few days after this and Jace would hardly even look at Santa because he thought he was still on the naughty list.  He's been trying so hard.  It's just so darn exciting this time of the year! :)

Don't worry .... I'm 50% positive that he'll make the 'nice' list this year.

We just got a second delivery of another elf ... we are naming him Oodles.  I guess we needed two elves to keep up with this crazy busy family. :)