The Elf on the Shelf

He knows when you've been sleeping, he knows when you're awake...

So the song goes, but some children do wonder how Santa monitors their behavior, especially when it's down to the wire. So some families have enlisted the help of a little pixie-elf who shows up usually after Thanksgiving to watch the naughty and niceness of the household.

You see this at the stores as a kit called The Elf on the Shelf. It has been around for years, the creation of a University of Tennessee graduate (Go Vols!) and mother of three and now grandmother, Carol Aebersold. Along with her daughter Chanda Bell, is the author of The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. It is a story of how Santa really knows who is naughty or nice.


Aebersold says she started the tradition for her own family when her children were very small. She says the first time the elf arrived at their home, her children officially adopted him by giving him a name. Each year he would arrive around the holidays and his sole responsibility was to watch the kid's behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after her children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the North Pole and was now resting in a new and different place. The children would race each other out of bed and try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Apparently, each elf has his own personality and depending on the house, the elf can get into all kinds of mischief. Reports of cookie raiding, silly string, and all types of holiday fun seem to follow the whimsical guy. It is always interesting to hear stories of what your family's Elf on the Shelf is doing this holiday season. Please share your stories if you have them!

So if your family is looking for a new holiday tradition this year, check out The Elf on the Shelf. I think our family is going to start the tradition this year and we will see if the elf can bring on the nice and quell the naughty. We shall see..

The Hype of Cyber Monday

Did you hear it is Cyber Monday? I just heard last night on my local news. Actually they called it Black Cyber Monday, like Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving when retailers traditionally get out of the red for the year with Holiday shopping. So when I heard the term "Cyber Monday" I said to myself, "you've got to be kidding." It sounds to me that Cyber Monday could be some good ole fashioned hoodwinking from some marketing savy folks, someplace, somewhere in a room thinking up the next big thing. I decided to investigate.

Yes, indeedy...Cyber Monday is a made up marketing word trend for your shopping enjoyment. Way back in 2005 the term was coined by shop.org as part of the National Retail Federation's CyberMonday.com designed to serve as a portal for Cyber Monday deals and offers. It is a fake holiday and apparently we've bought into it with consumer fever.

Some out there like to boycott this day as a no shopping day to protest what they call a useless media buzzword and liken it to holiday induced "fluff journalism" and forced trending.

I'm O.K. with Cyber Monday, especially since I am finding great deals, free shipping, and bonus savings. I especially love these Swedish pajamas and the free shipping deals. So here I am on the bandwagon of this fake holiday and as I click through my savings I marvel at how some marketing folks in a room in 2005 created their very own national day of shopping. Happy cyber deal hunting!

Germ Warfare 101

Nothing strikes fear into a mother's heart quite like a public restroom. It is the fear of the unknown, the possibility of a germ or virus lingering on a knob, a handle, a door...you know the feeling. My children are quite the trained professionals at using their elbows to navigate doors and dryer buttons, using paper towels to handle trash cans, flushing with their foot, and alas, washing with soap and water. It may sound a little Mommy militant, but a new study backs up the cause for concern.

An article featured at www.momstylenews.com shows a poll conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of LifeBridge Health reveals when in a public restroom without soap or towels, 74 percent of American adults who use public restrooms would rinse their hands with water and let them air dry.

“They might as well not even bother,” says John Cmar, M.D., an internist at LifeBridge Health’s Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and expert on infectious diseases. “Washing with water alone does not get rid of microbes – the action of working up a lather with soap, and then rinsing it off, is what washes them away. Plus, by touching the sink faucet – one of the dirtiest things in a restroom – these people could be adding even more germs to their hands.”

The study seems to show alarm over the H1N1 Flu is causing 8 out of 10 Americans to wash their hands more frequently. Infectious disease experts recommend scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds or as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday through twice. When in doubt hand sanitizer can also be used to kill the germs.

It sounds so simple, but with young children it is not always easy to pull off the perfect restroom pit stop. Taking the time to teach good hand washing techniques can pay off in big dividends especially when your family isn't entertaining the latest germ on the block. Try instead to entertain with a nice round of Happy Birthday.

Pizza Pirates

My two younger boys and I decided to kidnap Daddy for lunch today. We looked in our super-duper coupon book for a deal and we settled on a trip to the local pizza buffet. The free adult entree with purchase of one entree seemed like a good deal.

We walked into the pizza buffet and were immediately greeted by a swashbuckling team of managers. We have visited this restaurant before but have never seen this many people working at once. They reminded me of a merry band of pirates, each one chanting corporate songs and wielding pizza pies as if on cue. It was surreal and a bit unnerving.

The manager who rang in our order looked at my coupon and sighed. He then tallied up my total. "That will be $17.67" he said.

I looked at the total and it seemed a bit high. "I'm sorry, did you take off the coupon?"

"Oh yes" he assured. "You just have to buy drinks when you use this coupon."

My foggy-Mommy brain could not do the computation as I wielded my own toddler, 4-year-old, and bottle of hand sanitizer to the nearest table. A table that proved too close to the actual buffet and too close to the merry band of pizza pirates who were waiting to address our every pizza need. They continued to chant songs, call out cues, and flit about as if pants were afire. I get indigestion just thinking about it.

My hubby soon pointed out Captain Corporate Pizza in the blue oxford shirt with the logo on his pocket. He was commanding the other workers about and striking fear in the hearts of any general manager in his path. I think this fear may be the cause of our being overcharged. I looked at my receipt and realized the nervous general manager had overcharged us by $5. I went back up to get what would likely become my Starbucks money.

We marveled at how one man, Captain Corporate, could set such a terrible tone for the entire restaurant. His brute management style and employee scare tactics had cost us an enjoyable meal, but watching the pizza pirates in action was somehow mildly amusing. Sort of like watching a reality TV show that you know is bad, but your just to weak to look away.

We walked out of the restaurant and as we were buckling up our little dumplings, the general manager walked out of the exit door and yelled over to our car and waved to us. "Good to see you folks, come back soon!" He never stopped walking and went straight back into the entrance door like a cuckoo clock chiming the demise of a pleasant meal. I think he knew we had witnessed a siege and his band of pizza pirates were not so much merry as mired in corporate menace. It is a shame that some believe these tactics an effective way to motivate employees. It certainly does not motivate digestion.

Here Comes the Joy

When something inspires us and makes us smile, no matter how small, isn't it worth passing along?

Jill and Kevin Heinz had no idea their hip-hop walk down the aisle would become an internet sensation. They decided to for go the traditional wedding march for a choreographed dance to Forever by Chris Brown. The bridal party went for the idea and did their own joyful dances with varying degrees of skill. The couple's wedding guests smiled and laughed as they witnessed this unconventional walk down the aisle. If you watch the video you too can see and feel the joy of their special day. You almost feel like you are watching a movie, where Hugh Grant will roll down the aisle at any moment.

The happy couple posted the 5 minute wedding video onto YouTube shortly after their June 20th nuptials at a St. Paul, Minn. church. The Heinzes say they figured only family and friends would enjoy the video. But after appearances on Good Morning America and other news programs, the wedding entrance currently is closing in on 13 million hits.

The Boy's Club

Apparently there are special privileges awaiting mothers of boys.

"You get to walk right through the pearly gates", the 70-something gentleman chortled to himself as he watched me try to wrangle my three-boy posse through a crowded store. Later the same day as my two oldest jockeyed for position on my shopping cart the sweetest lady smiled and proclaimed to me that there was a silver-lined cloud waiting for me someday. I am not sure what prompted these celestial endorsements, but I am sure it had something to do with my three-man vaudeville variety act. For some reason the sight of boys in triplicate brings out musing stares, knowing glances, and lots of sage advice.

Boys are fun. The energy is boundless and the questions keep coming. Boys have a penchant for finding the action with such sticky-sweet peanut butter and jelly perfection. I love this about my guys: the ability to savor any moment no matter how simple. Whether it's a rock in the road or a giant toad in our backyard you can bet the excitement just never ends. I wish I could be so easily entertained.

But this boundless energy and curiosity seems to be lost on some folks. Sometimes when we are in the public eye I can sense others not quite relishing in the magic of my trio's youthful exuberance. Take the gentleman that fixes our eye glasses. After my middle guy's eleventh lap around the lobby, the man proclaimed "energy is wasted on youth". I smiled my apologetic smile and wondered if this particular brand of commentary was jealousy or annoyance. I had trouble telling the difference, but I have a feeling annoyance could be the first reason. I was certainly almost there myself.

In the many "boy" books I have read recently it talks about how boys are all gross motor and abound with constant energy. The trick for me is directing all of that seemingly immortal energy into constructive activity. We have soccer, the pool, bikes, running, and digging in the dirt. Trips to the mountains, museums, and aquariums are also favorites.

My little pack is constantly on the go and there seems to be no end in sight for what they can do with their energy. I adore their logic finding and inquisitive quests for all life has to offer. At the end of the day I know the fun of "boy wrangling" is an investment in their future, even if it takes lots of parental gasoline to pull it off.

So about that cloud....I'll take the cumulus spa package please.

A Ring Bearer is Ring Security

Weddings are always fun, but the wedding we attended yesterday was simply beautiful. The bride is a good friend of our family. We have watched this sweet young lady go to college, graduate, become a teacher, and now marry the man of her dreams. So we were delighted when she asked our 3-year-old to be her ring bearer for the big day. My son was so excited and announced he was going to be a "reindeer" at the wedding. We all had a good laugh and explained the job title was actually called ring bearer, which he confidently replied, "Oh yeah, ring bear." And so, "ring bear" it was.

He was very serious about his duties and looked dashing in his tuxedo. We chose his outfit at the tuxedo store. It was a tuxedo they sell for young boys instead of renting. It was actually fifty dollars less than renting to buy the tuxedo. So we snapped it up and figured we could save it for our youngest or sell it on Craig's List. Our ring bear complimented the groomsman and looked great next to the flower girl.

For the rehearsal, the Bride and her Mom got my son the cutest t-shirt to wear for practice. It was black and said "Ring Security" on the back. He loved it and looked like a real security detail. All he needed was an ear piece to authenticate the outfit. You can find these shirts at craft stores like Michaels.

I was curious about the tradition of the ring bearer or "ring bear" Here is what I found

What is a Ring Bearer:
A ring bearer is usually a young boy between the ages of 3 and 8 who has a special connection to the bride and groom. He may be related to them, or just be a family friend. He walks down the aisle immediately after the flower girl, or last bridesmaid, with the wedding rings tied to a small pillow.

How to Choose a Ring Bearer:
Look for a responsible young man who is important in your life, and will take his role seriously. If you are having trouble choosing between two ring bearers, there's no reason why you can't have two ring bearers. Give them each a ring to carry and send them down the aisle together. Or, if you're having a long train, get two boys to act as pages or trainbearers instead. Avoid choosing someone who is too young – he will be confused and perhaps scared. An older boy may be more suited for a job such as reader. If your only choices are unsuitable or not that close to you, there's is no reason why you have to have a ring bearer – simply give the rings to the best man to hold.

Preparing Your Ring Bearer For His Role, and Calming the Nerves
I recommend buying a book about being a ring bearer- he'll know what his role is, and understand it's importance. Seat his parents on the aisle, near the front so that he can see them when he walks down the aisle and during the ceremony itself. Ask a groomsman to be his "buddy" and make sure he uses the restroom before the ceremony. You may wish to ask his parents to cut down on the sugar intake the morning of the wedding. Avoid the pressure on him by tying only fake rings to the pillow, and wait to give him the pillow until immediately before he goes down the aisle. Also, ask his parents to bring a change of clothes – young girls are usually happy to wear dressy clothes all day, but young boys are often itching to get out of them! Most importantly, remember the younger your ring bearer, the more you have to be prepared to be okay with whatever happens. If you're the perfectionist type, choose an older ringbearer, or go without.