You will probably have heard of Elf on the Shelf, it seems to have taken off in a big way this year. A friend of mine adopted an elf last December and I watched on a little enviously at the elfy fun that they were having in their house. I hoped that a little elf might come to visit us this year, and I wasn't disappointed! A few days before the end of November, a book mysteriously appeared on Small Child's bookcase, called 'Christopher Pop-In-Kins Pops In'. Small Child was rather apprehensive about the idea of reading it, because he had no idea how it got there, but we gave it a go, and discovered a delightful little story about a little elf who desperately wants to see a real child. Santa decides that it would be a great idea for Christopher to visit a real child in the run-up to Christmas, and at the end of the book Christopher sets off on his journey from the North Pole.
Imagine our surprise on the evening of the 1st of December, when Small Child was helpfully putting the empty milk bottles out on the front step, to find a box sitting there, in a pile of magical snow. After a lot of encouragement, he bravely opened the box, to discover that Christopher Pop-In-Kins had chosen our house to visit! Wow, he couldn't believe his luck! Christopher was in a lovely silver box lined with green material, sprinkled with a scattering of red glitter and clutching a candy cane.
Small Child admitted that he was feeling a teeny bit scared of Christopher, so Daddy popped him (still in his open box) up onto the top shelf of the bookcase to have a nice rest after his long journey from the North Pole. The next morning, Small Child was very confused when Christopher was no longer in his box. At first he thought that perhaps Christopher had gone to visit another child, but he was delighted when he found him sitting on the TV table along with a special gift of a chocolate advent calendar. That cheeky elf was eating the chocolate from number 1, but as it was now the 2nd of December Small Child was happy to leave him to it whilst he ate his own chocolate from number 2.
On the 3rd December, Small Child came leaping out of bed eager to see whether Christopher was still here. He was delighted to find that indeed he was, and very amused by his antics - Christopher had stuck fake moustaches on all the family photos, and on himself too, and was caught in the act hanging from one of the picture frames!
On the 4th December, Small Child didn't spot Christopher for a while, as he was hiding on a chair in our living room with another treat for Small Child. He had a packet of party rings (biscuits/cookies), and was munching on his own mini sized version. We never usually have biscuits in the house (if only to save me from eating them all!) so this was a very special treat for Small Child (and Mummy!).
Upon closer inspection, Small Child noticed that Christopher was holding a lovely, tiny, elf sized note with the biscuits, which read as follows;
I've noticed you've been good.
Here's a special treat for you.
Don't forget to share!
Small Child has indeed been behaving beautifully recently, and the fact that it had been noticed made him very happy, and very keen to continue his good behaviour (for now, anyway)!
On the 5th December we couldn't find Christopher anywhere. We thought that maybe he had had enough of visiting, and had gone home to the North Pole. Time was marching on, so we sat down for breakfast. Imagine our surprise when Small Child came across Christopher sitting in the fridge! Not only was he hiding in there, he'd actually made a packed lunch for Small Child, and an elf-sized miniature version, presumable for himself! Small Child thought that Christopher Pop-In-Kins was a very kind elf indeed, giving Mummy a day off from making lunch. I was impressed too, especially as we were running late that day! This post is getting very long, so I'll save the details of what Christopher packed for another day, but suffice it to say that his mini lunch was very cute!
On the 6th December Christopher had yet another surprise for Small Child (he really is a lovely little elf!). He was found hiding behind a curtain, clutching a little green bag.
Small Child gently prised the bag from his hands, being careful not to touch Christopher (according to the book, Christopher must not be touched, lest he lose his magic), and found some 'Magic Elf Seeds' inside. There were four seeds, a little bag of snow (white nonpareils) and another tiny note with instructions, which read as follows;
Plant them in sugar
Sprinkle with snow
If you are lucky
Something may grow!
After breakfast Small Child eagerly planted the seeds in a bowl of sugar as instructed, and after sprinkling with the snow, popped the bowl on the windowsill next to Christopher. He was very disappointed when he came home from school that afternoon that nothing had yet grown, but I explained that these things take time!
The 7th of December was a Saturday, so there was no rush to get to school. It seems that Christopher had this in mind as he had set up a craft activity for Small Child. He had made a little Christmas tree ornament from buttons, and left out all the supplies that Small Child needed to make his own ones, along with a little note that simply said 'Your turn'.
Here's a close up of Christopher with his button Christmas tree, and the craft supplies that he left out for Small Child. There were green pipe cleaners, wooden star beads, green buttons in a variety of colours and sizes, and some beads for the Christmas tree bases. Small Child absolutely loved this craft project, and very enthusiastically made several trees of his own.
Finally on the 8th December we came home from a night away to find that something had sprouted from the magic elf seeds! Christopher looked delighted as he looked on at the Christmas themed chocolate lollipops that had grown in the bowl of sugar!
According the mysterious book, Christopher must be back at the North Pole to help Santa on Christmas Eve, but in the meantime we're hoping he'll stay with us and continue his fun antics! I'll be sure to keep you updated if he does!
Grace
Rachel @ bentos for a gaggle of girls says
What a sweet elf! Ours doesn't bring as many gifts, and causes more mischief. Perhaps because my children are older?
Wonderful storytelling, too! I can just picture Small Child's face when he saw the elf had moved!
jacqui simpson says
Goodness, cannot wait for the next part! Wonderful! 🙂