Well, it's that time of the year again at our house....the elves arrive.  In our area a mom came up with this concept about 10 years ago.  (I hasten to add here that she's laughing all the way to the bank!)

Basically she sold these little stuffed elves that come to your house on December 1st.  In order to get your elf to come, a child puts out saltines and water (not sure why) the evening of November 30th.  For the next month the elves do naughty little things around the house and get into general mischief.  Then on December 24th you say bye to your elf because Santa takes him back to the North Pole when he comes that night.  I know it sounds so silly, but my 8 year old son is counting the days til his elf arrives.  His older siblings also had elves and although the no longer are believers their elves still come too.  It's nice because my older two enjoy planning what the elves will do. 

I am happy to report that I just went through our boxes of Christmas decorations and I found our elves.  They will make their entrance tomorrow with a box of spilled Cheerios or with a roll of toilet paper wrapped on the chandelier.  Then we know that the Christmas season has begun at our home!

Recently it seems that there are many stories in the news about the recall of  products (usually toys) that contain high and dangerous  levels of lead. This is frightening to me, especially as the holidays approach and many of these toys  will be purchased.

A  friend of ours gave my children some fake, rubber teeth for Halloween.  Our friend heard on CNN that they contained high levels of lead and he panicked.  He called us immediately and told us to throw them away.  Fortunately, my children had barely used them. 

A doctor on the news last night said the home testing kits available to test the level of lead in toys was insufficient.  As a consumer, what are you going to do differently this holiday season when purchasing gifts?  How are you planning to protect yourselves, your loved ones and friends from the products that contain high levels of lead?

Well, my 8 year old's football season has ended and they won the championship game!  I have to confess, it was a fun season in the end!  All along though I was thinking (and complaining)..."why do 8 year olds have to practice two nights a week AND have a game one night a week?"  It seemed a little intense, but he really enjoyed it. 

Before the final game we made noisemakers and banners and even stood out on the field like cheerleaders as the boys ran through our human tunnel.  It really was fun and the boys had a great time.  I thought I'd let him play football for one season and he'd get it out of his system and return to a more sensible sport like soccer.  Don't think that'll happen anytime soon!