Adventures of Mozart in 2014 - Our Elf on the Shelf

This was our second year to have our Elf on the Shelf, Mozart (named by LJ), join us during the month of December. Mozart is one of Santa's elves that comes to our house every year to watch over the boys during the days leading up to Christmas. He flies back to the North Pole every night and reports back to Santa (great leverage for parents!).  There is a book that came with Mozart explaining the story behind the elf that we read the night before he showed up, so the boys were all refreshed on the story and 'rules' behind him.  Some rules are that the boys can talk to Mozart, tell him what they want for Christmas, etc, but Mozart will not talk back (he will just report all the things they say to Santa). And also, the boys cannot touch Mozart or he may loose his magic and won't be able to fly back and forth any more!! 

I took pictures of most of Mozart's 'hiding' places this year (although I did miss a couple days). LJ remembered Mozart, and was so excited to see him in our tree on December 1st! I put him hi enough up that LJ couldn't reach him... 

The next morning, LJ ran to the tree to look for Mozart first thing and was disappointed to see that he was gone. Then as he was eating breakfast, he noticed that Mozart was on a cutting board in the kitchen! He got SO excited!! Then he said, "Mom, you said that if we touched Mozart he couldn't fly back- but he DID!" I asked LJ what he meant, and he then informed me that the day before when I wasn't looking, he put a stool next to the tree so he could reach and touch Mozart on the foot. OMG- this child!!! He is out-smarting us every day and so sneaky!!! So I said maybe he still had enough magic to fly back this time, but wouldn't always, and that he probably came back for Evan. The rest of the month, Mozart always landed high enough that LJ could not sneak in a touch!! 

And I must say, it was so fun to see the boys search for him every morning! It was always the first thing LJ did, and then he would show everyone who came over where Mozart had landed! Fun! 

One of my favorites!

Riding the giraffe!

After Mozart was back in the North Pole for the year (after Christmas), I asked LJ which landing place of Mozart's was his favorite... he said the one below! 

Mozart got into our Cherrios! 

Dec 21st was the only day of the month we did not see Mozart at all! We were in El Paso, and Mozart didn't make it out of his hiding place in time (my bag!).  But the second day we were there, he was spotted in Capi and Gigi's condo!!! He made the trip to El Paso after all!!! 

In Capi and Gigi's kitchen...

And by their alarm as we left the last morning (Christmas Eve)! 

And on Christmas morning, Mozart made his final appearance on the tree- where he made his first appearance! The boys both said good-bye to Mozart before bed, and we will all look forward to seeing him again next year!! 

See ya next year Mozart!!