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!