Silly Elf

Our little elf, Henry, arrived about a week ago and he's quite a mischievous little guy!  He can be found hanging from the Christmas Tree, Curtains, and Nativity Scenes.  He also likes to eat stale gingerbread house candy!  Not sure if Paulie is fully convinced this little guy flies to see Santa every night as he tonight he said to me, "Where are you going to put Henry tonight?"  For now it's a fun little game to find Henry each morning and to talk and read stories about him, but it's not really working as a good behavior motivator.  Don't get me wrong Paulie has been an exceptionally good boy these last few days but I don't think it has anything to do with the elf!  However, I look forward to many years with Henry and am excited to start a new Izzo Family tradition.

And here's our Christmas Tree!  A string of lights is out and I've painstakingly tested each bulb and God help me can't figure out where the problem lies....On a positive note we have yet to break an ornament!  (Oh wait, Paul broke a bulb while decorating...to which Paulie totally called him out, "Daddy broke a ball, Daddy broke it, Daddy why did you break a ball, don't break any more balls Daddy, You need to be more careful and not break any balls!"  Nothing like a three year to reprimand you during the holiday festivities.  Paulie's little friend Makena came over and promptly tried to unwrap the candy canes and was about to take a bite when Paulie said, "No Makena, those are not to eat just for declaration!"  Ha!  You make me so proud Paulie!

One tradition I'm not so sure about is Gingerbread House decorating.  Correction....Decorating is okay, it's the actual making of the Gingerbread house that I don't care for!  After one failed attempt at Royal Icing, I threw in the towel and bought a G-bread house kit from Target.  Then I Elmer Glued that sucker together!  It isn't as though we are going to eat the thing.  Does anyone ever eat the Gingerbread House?  Speaking of eating....I've been able to stall Paulie for yet another year.  I told him not to eat the supplied candy as it was rock hard and would break his teeth.  So far he's only after the sprinkles AND believe you me those things are full of sugar!  The kid went nuts after just a few wet fingers full of sprinkles!

And just why are we decorating our Gingerbread house at 7am????