The Elf entered our lives when she jumped into my shopping cart six years ago. (I mean when she arrived from the North Pole.) My oldest granddaughter was afraid of Twinkle when she first entered her life. She didn’t like that elf keeping an eye on her and showing up in odd places. She also wasn’t a fan of Twinkle hanging around her candy jar. She became a nuisance. Eventually, she learned to enjoy her antics. One day, she was on the counter playing in a bag of chocolate chips when she awoke. Thankfully, Twinkle shared a few and they became better friends.
Twinkle could be entertaining. One morning Kaylee walked out to find Twinkle swinging on the ceiling fan pull string. She rolled her eyes and ran to tell her parents, “That damn Twinkle is swinging from the ceiling fan. You better go get her.”
We all know the children are not allowed to touch the Elf on the Shelf, lest the magical powers disappear.
When my second granddaughter, Riley, was two, Kaylee explained the elf to her little sister. She assured her she was friendly and very funny. Now at the age of four, Riley fully comprehends that those elves could be her best connection to Santa and a stuffed bag full of toys under the Christmas tree. The girls work in tandem to maximize the gift score.
Last year, Twinkle invited an elf friend to stay with her at my daughter’s house. His name is Jack. With two elves in the house Kaylee and Riley have to be on their very best behavior. That’s four eyes watching all the time and those elves report directly to Santa. If only those elves could talk, there’d be so many stories, but they can’t speak while children are awake. It’s the rule. They can only talk to each other when the family goes to bed. I know this because my granddaughters heard them whispering the other night.
Twinkle, “I think the girls were really good today, don’t you?”
Jack: “Yes, make sure to write that down so we tell Santa. They deserve extra presents!”
The girls giggled and gave each other a thumbs up.
Twinkle: “They need something really special for both of them, I think.”
The girls giggled under the covers hearing the good news.
Now my granddaughters want to stay awake and listen for tiny elf voices.
They decided to write a note to Twinkle and Frosty to insure extra gifts from Santa.
Dear Twinkle and Jack,
Kaylee: We are so glad you are at our house. We like watching you do silly things. It bothers my sister when you sit on her mini-marshmallows though. Please don’t do that anymore. I am being very nice at school. I hope you heard about that.
Riley: I like having you watch us play and clean up the play room. I pick up more than my sister so make sure Santa knows that I deserve more presents. I like you, but I don’t want you to sit on my bed post anymore. Just hang on the fan until I wake up.
Kaylee: We will leave you cookies and milk. I hope you like sugar cookies with sprinkles. If you can’t eat all of them, just share them with the reindeer.
Riley: If the reindeer aren’t hungry, just leave them for me. I love them!
The elves appearance has made a tremendous change in the girl’s behavior. There’s less bickering and more cooperation. One mention of Twinkle or Jack and everyone snaps to attention. Those elves might be small, but they have huge powers.
I just learned that Twinkle and Jack have cousins. The girls suggested they come stay at our house.
Mistletoe and Merry are on their way now. Imagine, my husband might start closing cabinet doors if he knows Mistletoe and Merry are keeping score. He might even bring me coffee in bed!
Naturally, we’ll both be on good behavior. I’ll empty the dishwasher without complaining, most days. Pop would keep his socks in one drawer. I will try not to snore. I’ll eat my vegetables and Pop will clear the table. I will watch my language and I’ll exercise every day. Pop will never lose his keys. He won’t hog the pitcher at tea parties. either.
Our gift score would rise daily. We would be Santa’s best grandparents to visit on Christmas Eve.
More than anything, I want to snuggle under the covers and listen for Mistletoe and Merry’s chat about us, when they think we’re asleep.
I want to fall asleep to their whispered voices and enjoy the miracle of Christmas, once again.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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