December 2015, Latest & Greatest News

Happy Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve!

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So much excitement in the air today. You can feel it all around! We like to call it, Holiday Magic.

Today was the last day that Liam woke up to go on a hunt to find Mr Elf’s hiding spot. He had so much fun looking for him each morning this past month. He would use his little Lightening Mcqueen flash light & walk around our house shining it in every nook & cranny. I will share pics of a few fun things Mr Elf did along the way this year, next week. Today, though, on his last morning with us, he brought Liam a special goodbye letter and a Christmas Box of goodies.

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I found the letter as a free printable online & I’ll share the link next week. It was perfect, though, because it allowed Mr Elf’s magic to be lifted for a few minutes so Liam could hug him & say goodbye. We didn’t realize how big of an impact this would have until we did it this morning. He asked to take him into his room & snuggle, so we said yes. When it was time to put him back in the Christmas tree, my sweet baby had tears in his eyes because he said he would miss him so much. His Christmas spirit is strong and we love him so!

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The Christmas Box was an idea you frequently see on Pinterest boards, but surprisingly (for me, anyhow), Stephen really wanted to do this, so kudos to him because he did the whole thing! My hubby is usually not the one into Pinterest type things, so I was stoked! It has new jammies to wear tonight, a new Christmas book, and a few small toys (Star Wars themed, of course).

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….Since it’s Thursday, and we love to do #TBT on social media these days, I thought it only appropriate to share one of my MOST favorite pictures of little man from exactly 4 years ago. On 12/23/11, I took Liam to the mall to squeeze in a last minute 1st pic with Santa (which came out fantastic, by the way). He was just 5 months old. Then, while daddy worked, he & I had a great time strolling through the mall shopping. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I snapped this pic of him while we were in Barnes & Noble. Such a happy baby 🙂

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Last, but not least, is what has become our annual ‘Christmas Jammies by the Tree’ picture. I had saved Liam’s jammies from last year’s pictures and was thrilled that they still just barely fit this year, so we used them again.

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2015 ~ Liam: 4 years, 5 months & Timber: 13 years

For a look back on our previous years pictures, click HERE.

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We are off to bake cookies for Santa & make some reindeer food ❤

Until next time!

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Latest & Greatest News, November 2015

Welcoming Back Elf on the Shelf

It’s Elf Return Week!! Exciting times around Casa de Murphy, people! Our elf, Mr. Elf, flew back on Saturday night & Liam was SUPER excited to discover him when he woke up Sunday morning 🙂 ….I will be sharing pics of our first week of fun with him later this week.

For now, be sure sure to check out my latest Orlando Moms Blog post for some Elf on the Shelf fun.

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You can link to the full article HERE.

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I’m sharing some ideas for keeping the Elf on the Shelf fun & lighthearted in your home. Plus, a list of easy & simple suggestions to get you started with your elf. I also am excited to share a FREE printable calendar to help you plan your stay with your elf ❤

Happy Reading!

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December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Fun With Mr Elf

Last year, we introduced the Elf on the Shelf to Liam & he named him, Mr Elf ❤

This year, I wanted to make Mr Elf’s return special, and also be more of a re-introduction, as I suspected, Liam wouldn’t entirely remember him due to his age. We pretty much guessed that part right, which is totally fine, and again, just like last year, we keep Mr Elf pretty light-hearted and fun. It’s not really that he’s “watching” and waiting to catch him doing anything bad. I love me some Pinterest inspiration, and found this great FREE Santa stationary here. After looking at a few different examples of peoples letters that were posted on various sites, I came up with our own. So, Liam’s letter was brought by Mr Elf on his 1st morning back to our house (the day after Thanksgiving), but it was from Santa. It basically told him why he sent Mr Elf to hang out with us until Christmas, that he knew a few things he had been telling us he wanted for Christmas & he would do his best to try to get them for him, and to remember the REAL reason for the season ❤ ….we also left the Elf on the Shelf book on his table that 1st morning so we could read it together.

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Overall, Mr Elf doesn’t get into too much mischief at our house. I particularly liked his choice to play with Liam’s Toy Story pals, but neglected to realize that Liam would immediately try to pick Mr Elf up and also try to play with him as soon as he saw him in the morning…..LOL!! Ooops! 🙂

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 Occasionally, Mr Elf is known to bring Liam a small present. Liam is LOVING Rudolph this year, so he was super excited to find them both in the tree one morning!

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They say elves love sugar, so it should be no surprise of this, right?!?! ….I was cracking up 🙂

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The next day, after the syrup incident, Mr Elf was found taking a bubble bath 🙂

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Hanging around like Spider-man….

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Liam was super excited when he found Mr Elf hanging around on the wine rack with this awesome shirt from the Incredibles!

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Again, with the sugar….

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tiny clothes line of tiny clothes……surely, he thought he could fit 😉

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We have been having a lot of fun with Mr Elf and can’t believe it’s just 5 more days until Christmas! Since Christmas Eve is the last morning Liam will wake up to “find” Mr Elf this year, I am working on a good-bye letter for him to have with him, as he will go back to the North Pole with Santa that night. I’m working on a version that will let his magic be lifted for the day, so he can give him a hug, as he keeps asking….I think he would really like that 🙂

Until next time friends!

~H