Building Blocks with Gumdrop

Today we discovered that Gumdrop likes playing with blocks as much as the boys. I was relieved to find him playing a bit after his trip to the North Pole, rather than playing a practical joke or doing something ornery!

Noah decided to add a few mega blocks "castles" to the pyramid of wooden blocks that Gumdrop built. He was very upset with me when I started to pick them up. He insisted that Gumdrop needed a big building with lots of rooms to play in today.

Gumdrop & Baby Jesus

Today the boys found Gumdrop rocking baby Jesus from their nativity set. All the wise men & animals were gathered round to watch Gumdrop share his love for Christ. After all, even Santa's elves know the true meaning of Christmas.

Elfed! Toilet Papered Christmas Tree

Gumdrop was at it again over night. Today's practical joke - a toilet papered Christmas tree!

The boys both spotted him right away, as they came out of their rooms from sleeping. They laughed so hard when they saw Gumdrop in the tree holding a long piece of toilet paper.

Ornery Elf!

Adventures with Gumdrop - Maple Syrup

The adventures with Gumdrop continue. Today he left this note, while sipping on our maple syrup...

Dear Luke & Noah, 

I've given good reports so far, but you're walking a thin line;
I don't like the yelling, you're supposed to be kind.

The fighting & arguing simply must stop,
Or on to the naughty list your names will drop.
So remember to be kind with brotherly love,
Santa & the Lord are watching from above.

Happy Holidays,
Gumdrop

PS - Thank you for the maple syrup. It's one of my favorite things to drink!

Elf on the Shelf 11/26 - Hanging from the Rafters

Today the boys were perplexed on where Gumdrop was hiding, after returning from the North Pole. Last night was his first report to Santa on the boys and they were excited to see where he would appear.

After several minutes of searching, I encouraged the boys to come sit at the table for breakfast. I asked them to look down, to the right, to the left and finally straight up. What do you know!  Gumdrop was swinging upside down from the chandelier in the dining room!

He must have had some extra time on his hands last night because he made paper chains & snow flakes which he hung from the light. The boys were delighted to have found him and thought his silly antics were quite funny!

Can't wait to see what our sneaky little elf has up his sleeves tonight!

Gumdrop! Our Elf on the Shelf!

Today we started a new tradition in the Padron house - Elf on the Shelf!  It's a cute concept where the Elf on the Shelf appears in a new spot each morning; then reports back to Santa each night.

The Elf appeared on our kitchen table this morning. He brought out all our Christmas place mats & left us a funny Elf Yourself video on the computer.

The boys & I read the Elf on the Shelf book and promptly named our Elf, Gumdrop!

It's amazing how well this is controlling the behavior around our house this morning! Everything nice the boys do, we compliment them and point out that Gumdrop will surely report the good behavior to Santa that night. Everything naughty the boys do, we remind them that Gumdrop is watching. Without exception, this has stopped the undesirable behavior in its tracks!  Awesomeness!

Can't wait to see where Gumdrop will turn up tomorrow or what antics he'll be getting in to when we wake up!