HOLIDAY HUSTLE

What is December with out our annual cold!  Yep William and I have been under the weather again this December (3rd year in a row).  Causing me to be down and out for about a week, and a little more behind on my holiday preparations then normal, which as you guessed makes me just a little anxious! 

Thankfully this week has given me some opportunities to catch up on my shopping, planning and organizing.  Which has also helped me get in to the Christmas season.  Its hard not to around here with a very excited 3 year old who only talks about EXTENSION CORDS that light up the blow up decorations and Christmas lights.  If any of you ever have any questions about exterior or interior illumination, extension cord efficiency and/or electricity feel free to consult WILLIAM ALAN RUSSELL (our resident expert).  

For those of you who follow me on Facebook you will have noticed that we have started a new tradition around these parts.  Its called ELF ON THE SHELF.  And although it seems a little creepy at times and there was some resistance to the idea initially from William, it has been come a fun way to start each day as we search for our elf, who is named "SWEET HOME ALABAMA".  (not even kidding... William named him...).  For those of you not familiar with this "tradition"  we have an elf (named Sweet Home Alabama) and he hangs out and watches the kids during the day and flies home (to the north pole) each night to report to the big man (Santa) about the NAUGHTY and NICE status of the kids (William in this case).  When the elf returns from his North pole trip he "hides" in a different spot and the kids are to seek him out in the morning.  Initially this lovely (slightly creepy) Elf was not received with a warm reception.  Although William was excited to open the package he came in on Dec 1, he was quick to express his desire for the elf to go back to the north pole right away!  (BACK STORY-- About 2 months ago after an exceptionally difficult few weeks with William, A letter was sent to William from the NAUGHTY AND NICE DEPARTMENT at the north pole, stating that if he didn't smarten up he would be on the Naughty list.  This letter was also not received overly well by the little person in the house.  However attitude and behaviour from that same little person was slightly improved after the letter.   So the initial reception of our dear ELF ON THE SHELF was perhaps due to this incident.  oops... Hind sight is 20/20)

Anyway a couple days later William named our elf and now he wakes each morning and seeks out Sweet Home Alabama's new hiding spot.

Day one-  Un-named elf, feeling a little homesick, tissues and a NORTH POLE sign... I guess the inital welcome wasnt what he expected!

Day 2- and Sweet Home Alabama is born!

3- Hanging in the new basement

4- Enjoying our tree

5-Hanging with the NutCrackers

6-Reading Christmas Cards

7-Advent Calender

8-Peek a Boo!

9- Cozy stocking

10-Hanging in there!

 

 

11-No picture-- Hanging off the light in the Kitchen

12- This Elf loves Christmas Decorations!

Other then that Christmas season has been warm and cozy in our new basement (livable but not 100% complete).  Clayton did a great job with the help of some very nice little helpers :)

The RUSSELL FAMILY would like to send everyone WARM WISHES and SEASON GREETINGS over this joyous month!

Love
Lyndsay, Clayton and William (and Sweet Home Alabama)

PS- Williams Christmas List this year...

(The Picture he made me draw is suppose to be the "Rocket with a pump launcher"...  Obviously Im not an artist... and yes it does look unintentially phallic.  No idea where he seen this incredibly difficult to find toy!)