North Pole Breakfast 2013

Santa sent an Elf on the Shelf to our house this year and I am very excited.  I've been diligently doing my Pinterest research like all good moms do, right?!? ;)  Since this is our introduction to the whole Elf on the Shelf idea, I decided to go all out.  I found the idea of the North Pole Breakfast on Pinterest and wanted to do a smaller version for our introduction.  Obviously, it's just Addison and she's not quite three so I wasn't sure how much she would appreciate it, or get it. 

 

 

 

I love and could quite possibly be addicted to printables! I love banners to hang up in the dining room to make it a little more festive.  I found these a while back from a blog that I subscribe to, How Does She, and I think they are adorable.  They always have the cutest ideas and you should totally check them out.  The Christmas banner is located here. I love that you can add your holiday pictures but was disappointed that I could only find a few years back.  Apparently before having a kid we didn't take any pictures but have taking 8 million in the last three years!

 

 

 

 

Our sweet new friend brought some goodies with him, really were the only thing that caught her attention this morning.  He brought the book (obviously!), a coloring book, the movie and pjs (or jammies, as Addison calls them).  I found the snowflakes at the Dollar Tree.

 

 

 

I found these cute Elf on the Shelf printables from Pinterest at 505-Design and love that they are customizable.  You just open it up and can write whatever you like.  I imagine I'll use these each year to update.  I used the letter for make the elf report and the introduction letter.  I framed the North Pole Breakfast sign and also used the gift tags for each of the presents out new friend brought.

I did most of the decorating and set up last night and had a hard time going to sleep because I was so excited, a glass of wine did help.  I woke up this morning to set the food out then went back to bed to wait for sleeping beauty to wake up. 

Our new friend and Candy Cane Joe-Joes!

 

Candy Cottage with all the fixins' for decorating

 

 

I put our elf up on the top shelf with the candy cane Joe-Joes because I knew kids aren't suppose to touch the elf or he looses his magic.  I didn't want to risk that.  I saw a little girl at the store the other day carrying around her elf and thought to myself how that parent is ruining it for the rest of us!

 

 

 

 

 

I did make the tent cards myself but can't take credit for the idea.  I found that somewhere along the way on Pinterest. I was super excited when I found the s'mores marshmallows because don't they look just like elf pillows! ;)

 

Powdered Donuts

 

Fruit candy canes

Addison is a sleeper and not much of a morning person.  I was giddy when she got up but she was slow moving and needed a lot of coaxing to come to the dining room.  Once she did, she was still a little sleepy eyed and needed direction to check it all out.
 

First glimpse...I'm pretty sure she's still asleep

Presents...perking up!

After eating, we cracked open the book and read it.  Then we took plenty of time contemplating a name.  We've been discussing and had come up with a list of names to choose from - including Turkey, Elfis, Toulouse, Jepsen, etc.  She finally decided upon Buddy - I know, not very original - and I take credit/blame as we just watched Elf on Thanksgiving night.  I'm okay with it, Elf is one of my favorite Christmas movies.

We settled down on the couch to watch the movie, I popped it in and was surprised that my DVD player couldn't read the disk.  At first, I assumed I purchased a Blue Ray instead, but when I pulled it out, noticed the DVD was cracked.  I'm not sure if it came that way or if she broke it when she took it out of the case.  At any rate, I'm hoping Target will take it back. 

So, welcome to Buddy the Elf...he's only been here half a day and we've already used the "Buddy is watching you" tactic more than I can count. 

Our new friends

I'm super excited to share about the two newest people in my life. My dearest friend Michelle was expecting twins in the New Year and much to every one's surprise they made a very early appearance on December first.  Taking a note from my own playbook, she kept the names to herself and didn't tell folks the babies names ahead of time.  Well, with the exception of strangers...which was fun, especially when we went places together and I encourage her to tell strangers, then badger them to tell me. 

At any rate, Gia Louise and Gracie Marie made an early appearance on December 1st at 32 weeks when her water unexpectedly broke at home.  The only thing cuter than one baby girl is two and they are so tiny!  They spent a small time in the NICU but were both home by Christmas.  I'm pretty sure that's the best Christmas present ever. 


Gracie Marie

Gia Louise

 They were oh so tiny when they arrived but were otherwise very healthy.  Little tiny Gia is so small she doesn't have any cushion...but she's catching up.  I try to see them weekly because they are growing so fast and last I'd heard, Gia had almost doubled her birth weight already!

Since I didn't know their names ahead of time, I had to get something monogrammed because what respectable southern baby doesn't have lots of monogrammed outfits?!?  Here are the two outfits I came up with before hand.

Purple and Gold Fleur de Lis

Big Sister ~ Little Sister

Since the onesies came in a pack of five, I had the fifth one monogrammed with a G after their arrival and announcement of names.  First of many outfits they can/will share!  What's sweeter than one baby girl?!?  Two baby girls...congrats Kevin and Michelle, so very happy for you guys!!!

Welcome to our blog...

I'm slowly realizing that not everyone in my life is as addicted to facebook as I am, so I thought blogging about our lives may be of interest to some folks.  I'm not sure if anyone is interested in reading...but if so, I hope you enjoy!