NIKKI THE ELF

I know it's like, 104 degrees outside and most of you are not even remotely thinking about Christmas, but I am crazy and live my life 3 months ahead because I am OCD and plan everything. And so I want to make sure you all know about Elf On A Shelf. This is the cutest book EVER and I wish I would have thought of this BRILLIANT idea.

For those of you that don't know what this is, this cute little elf comes to your house at the end of November/beginning of December. You can let your kids name him (Paisley picked Nikki) or you can name him yourself. The elf gives daily reports to Santa at the North Pole. It is a great way to bribe, um, I mean make your children think twice about being naughty around Christmastime.

The elves also do silly things, make messes, hide in funny places, and bring little happies or lumps of coal, depending on behavior.

Here are some great Elf ideas!

Elves Love to Do What Your Kids Love To Do!

Elves adapt quickly to a household, and many mornings are found busy with the favorite activities of the kids who live there. Reading favorite books, playing games (including the Wii or Nintendo DS), having a tea party with best-loved dolls, and riding skateboards are all favorite Elf past times.

Elves Are Into Computers and Social Media

Elves in homes with teens have been known to have email, Facebook and Twitter accounts to keep an online eye on the kids and send funny emails, status updates and tweets. Many elves also seem to surf the internet late at night, finding fun new sites for the kids to enjoy.

Elves Love to be in Pictures

Apparently, Elves are very good at self portraits. Many families have found their digital cameras full of pictures of their Elves in all kinds of crazy poses.

Elves Often Have A Driver's License

If an Elf cannot be found in the morning, the car is the first place to look. Elves are often found in the driver's seat, sitting on a stack of pillows or books. The car may be parked backwards or in a crazy position, and in some cases even down the street or in a neighbor's driveway. Typically, Christmas music is blaring through the speakers and the gas tank is mysteriously closer to empty than before.

Elves Write in Journals

Elves and children often learn more about each other and build bonds by writing letters back and forth. Some Elves arrive with a festively decorated journal to keep all the correspondence in one place. It has been rumored that some Elves only write backwards, so children must hold the note up to the mirror to read it. A few are conversant in Pig Latin or other codes that older kids must decipher.

Elves Tell Potty Jokes, Too

Bathroom humor spans all languages and species. Elves love to turn the toilet water green (with food coloring), decorate Christmas trees in underwear, toilet paper kids rooms or whole houses, and write on bathroom mirrors with mom's lipstick.

Elves Spell Their Names - Everywhere!

Each Elf has a name. Some are named by the children they watch. Others arrive with a note introducing the Elf. Either way, all Elves seem to love to leave their signature as often as possible. Maybe the Elf's name is written in Cheerios, flour, or chocolate syrup on the counter. Other times in toothpaste on the bathroom mirror. Best of all, in food coloring on freshly fallen snow.

Elves Love Things That Remind Them of Home

Cotton ball snowball fights are a favorite past time of elves. Also, Elves often make elf sized snow angels. If real snow is not available, then Insta-Snow or flour make good substitutes. A favorite game for Elves is Candy Lane. If the house does not already have a copy, Elves have been known to bring one from the North Pole as an early Christmas gift.