North Pole Breakfast 2019 :: Rose has Returned with Resentment

The downstairs has cleared.

It's quiet for a moment.

Just her and I remain.

Scattered crumbs and half eaten donuts cover the kitchen table.

She's still there, perched on top of a green balloon, giving me the stink eye.

She's wondering how long she will be left to hold the same position.

How many times will she frantically be moved at 6 am before the girls wake up?

She's wishing that she was purchased by a more organized, less scattered parent.

She's hoping to be re-gifted to a family with out an over-sized german shepherd. Most years her red felt jumper is covered in dog hair probably due to the fact that I've dropped her just a few times in the middle of her moves.

She's judging my thrown together North Pole Breakfast. She talks the other elves - she knows the big elaborate shindigs captured on Instagram and shared countless times on Pinterest.

She's giving me a look that says, "Let's not mess it up this year, okay?".

Rose is back.

The high maintenance elf has returned with all her animosity! 

The full letter is below. I know that Rose begrudgingly included a P.S. to cover my butt. When she was a young elf she dreamt of different life, but she got stuck with me. 

This year Morgan read the entire letter out loud - she didn't miss a single word!

Rose brought ornaments for our playroom tree!

She even brought one for Shelby, though she is no longer a believer - tisk, tisk.

This year the letter brought messages of kindness {guess that doesn't apply to her relationship with me}.

So, Hooray Hooray {I know you can just feel my excitement} it's Christmas...the time of year where you can hear "Oh, crap! If forgot to move that dang elf" ring through my house at around 11 pm each night!

Let me tell you Canva is a lifesaver. I created our sign, Rose's letter and the food picks all using Canva. You can design amazing images for free. This is not an add, but do get Canva Credits when you use my link to create for first flyer, poster, facebook image, pretty much anything...Click here to start designing! 

Holiday Home Tour

Bekah and I decided (at the last minute) to have fun with a little Holiday Home Tour.

I still have about 50% of decoration in the garage...maybe next year I will get the entire house decorated. 

Here are a few of my favorite areas

Re-Capping Rose

This year, after some debate, we (meaning I) decided it was time to try out an Elf on the Shelf. I am all for giving something a shot and see how it works out.

Our Elf arrived the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had a small party with donuts.

Bekah was super excited to see the Elf which we named Rose. Bekah loves a good party an day of the week. 

Rose brought gifts: new ornaments for our tree which I think is a tradition that we were let her continue. 

She also brought us a copy of An Elf's Story which has been watching close to 100 times. 

Here are some of the places we found Rose this year.

Rose Relaxing in a bubble bath. 

Rose broke out the Christmas books. 

Rose riding in on a Camel.

Rose stuck in a jar. Did Strawberry Shortcake put her there?

Rose bringing us things to plant. 

Look what we grew!

Ooops...I know two girls who were being a bit naughty. 

Rose brought snowman donuts. Which are now called "snow donuts" and Bekah wants them all the time. 

Rose loves Selfies!

Rose found CandyLand in our game closet and Bekah played it all day long. 

A little reminder from Rose. 

Rose was waiting in van to take Shelby to school. 

Rose tried to help Bekah with potty training...it worked for a day.

On Rose's final day with us (Christmas Eve) she brought a letter saying that her powers were lifted and she could be touched for that day!

Bekah was beyond excited! Rose played all day long. 

And she was there for cooking making. 

She even went to Christmas Eve service with us, but stayed in the bag so no other kids would see her.  

Speaking of Christmas Eve service, here is how my yearly picture with the poinsettias went. 

yeah, that good. Poor Morgan. 

So, Bekah gave Rose on last hug and left her with Santa's cookies before bed. 

She still asks me about Rose and when she is coming back, so I'd say Rose is a new tradition for our family. I hope she has a great vacation and we will see her next year!

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

Yesterday was our Children's Christmas Program at church and let me tell you Bekah performed her little heart out!

First off, I stayed up way too late Saturday night sewing these dresses. They have some major flaws, but no one seemed to notice.

 We were a late add in the program, so we only had a week to learn the songs. That didn't stop Bekah, she lip-synced her way through most of the production.

 I believe she was the youngest (or one of the youngest), so she was put on the front row. This was an open invitation for her to step forward which makes her appear like she was singing a solo.

 Along with her solo, she was moved to add in some serious hand raising!

 The girl was getting into the music! Then she had to march, which became more of a dance then a march, but as you can see it took serious concentration.

And the benefit of having a grandad who is the pastor, you alway know where to wave.

The little girl next to her wasn't have nearly as much fun as Bekah was.

Bekah wasn't the only one who performed on Sunday. Yep, I forced persuaded Shelby to be a participant as well!

 The whole thing was so stinking adorable...I may have cried just a bit.

Big thank you to my friend Andy for capturing most of these pics for me!