Elf on a Shelf

This year, we got a special project to do in conjunction with the Elf on a shelf. There was a book that described how the letters that kids write to Santa Claus are too large for the Elf to carry and fly to deliver them to the North Pole. So, included was a special kind of paper that the kids can write their letters to Santa on and then, they shrink down to "Elf size" so that the elves can carry them and deliver them to Santa. They reminded me of the old "shrinky-dinks" that I used to play with as a kid. Once the kids wrote the letters, they were placed in the oven and they shrunk down to the size of and density of a Christmas tree ornament.
Since the Chipman kids are here, we invited them to participate too. After Kevin read the kids the book, each kid wrote what they wanted from Santa for Christmas. When I checked on Trace's progress, I was so touched to see that the first thing he wrote was his wish for his parents to "get better". I think he's been so tired of seeing us in various stages of pain and recovery, I thought it was so sweet that we were his priority. When I saw what he had written, I hugged him and told him he was okay to ask for a gift or two, only then did he add that he'd like a Lego set. When I talked about it later, he said; "Well, Mom, Christmas is about being with your family and sharing special times, not presents." I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a sweet boy, but I sure do love him.

Letter Translation: "From Trace Carrell Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is my parents to get better. I hope you can do that for Christmas. Is it okay if I have a Lego for Christmas. Thank you so much for all you can do."

 After Trace's Elf (named Charlie) took the letters to Santa, he got into some shenanigans with some of Trace's other toys. I'm so grateful for Trace's enjoyment of all things "magical".