Adventures with Rudy the Elf – 12 days in

I’ve realised this year, that there are two types of moms in this world. Those that do the Elf on the Shelf thing. And those that don’t.

I am that mom that does it! I’ve been so excited for 1 December to arrive this year – more so than usual! Reason being, I can do Elf of the Shelf with Noah properly, all the way until Christmas Eve. Jason got me my elf last year, complete with Superhero outfit and storybook. But, we were busy getting ready for our move from Durban to Cape Town, staying with my sister and her family. Plus, we didn’t actually have space in our car for our elf and his box of tricks, once we left Durban. So, for the first two weeks of December last year, we had Rudy doing his thing for Noah and his two cousins. Then we left, and Rudy stayed behind. Thankfully, Noah was still a bit too young, so when we got to Cape Town, he didn’t even bat an eyelid at Rudy not being around. 

Enter the festive season 2018! I couldn’t wait. I had screenshots on my phone of elf ideas. Everywhere I looked at home, leading up to 1 December, was a potential spot for Rudy to be doing something mischievous. I even got my sister-in-law involved in Elf on the Shelf this year. She was a “Don’t-Do-It” kind of mom. But, for practical reasons, it worked out that she would need to get one for her two kids as well. She resisted at first. And insisted that I send her photos everyday of what to do. Just a few days in, though, and she was coming up with her own ideas for Elvin, their elf. I was so proud – another mom converted! 

There are so many places to look online for some elf inspiration – Google, Pinterest, Facebook groups. There is even an Elf on the Shelf Ideas app that you can download onto your phone. Plus, any moms on your Facebook timeline, who are doing it, will ten-to-one post some photos of what their elf has been up to. There really is no shortage of ideas! 

To prepare Noah for the impending arrival of our elf friend, Rudy, we started talking to Noah about him getting a special visitor this year, all the way from the North Pole. He was a bit nervous in the beginning. He said he didn’t want Rudy to come and visit him. Then, we started reading him the storybook all about our elf, and he started warming up to the idea – thank goodness!

My idea for 1 December was that Rudy would be waiting for Noah by his bowl of cereal, and he would have an advent calendar for Noah as well, as a little gift. I got it all ready and set up for Noah, while Dad distracted him in the bedroom. Once everything was ready, I called Noah to the lounge to come and see what I had found…and all the wheels fell off from there. Noah was not impressed that Rudy was trying to eat his Rice Crispies. Then he didn’t want Rudy to sit by him while he ate his breakfast. The more I tried to explain, reason and figure out why Noah felt this way, the more upset he got. Then he decided he didn’t want Rudy at all, I got frustrated (not my finest mommy-moment I will admit), and Rudy and the calendar ended up “in the bin”. 

At this point, Jason intervened, spoke with Noah, and Noah was finally happy for Rudy to return. Never a dull moment, I tell you! And the thing is, Noah is so into it now, that when he wakes up in the morning, the first thing he does is ask where Rudy is and what he is doing. I can’t keep up with this kid! 

I’ve shared a post a day about what Rudy has been up to for the first 10 days on Instagram and Facebook. From day 11 onwards I started sharing on my Insta stories, and saving them in my highlights reel. So, in case you were wondering what Rudy has been up to for the past 12 days, have a look at the photos below. 

It’s been the most fun coming up with something fun and creative for Rudy to do each day. And the delight on Noah’s face each morning makes it all worth it!

Have you been doing Elf on the Shelf this year? How have your kids taken to it? Do you have any fun ideas I could potentially use over the next 12 days? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.