The Elf on a Shelf was not a thing when I was a kid. My first year at Corpus, it was a treat to hear all the excitement about where the elf had moved to each day. This year, I’m lucky enough to have an extra role in the festivities.
The first grade class wrote letters inviting their elf to visit them. Such heartfelt requests were eagerly granted by Harold who arrived the next day! He’s even gone so far as to send daily updates about the report he has been taking back to Santa at the North Pole. Fortunately, part of my job as the school secretary is to open the mail, which means I get to deliver these lovely letters to first grade!
Around lunch time, I pop into the classroom while they eat. By the end of this first week, the kids know what it means when I poke my head in. The elation nearly knocks me off my feet. I had no idea 6 year old eyeballs could get that big. The envelope never has a return address, but it’s clear from the decorations on it that it came from somewhere special. The report always contains a synopsis of yesterday’s attitude: were you naughty or nice? Last week, one report read:
“I gave Santa the report that you boys and girls were very nice to each other. Santa said he loved that you were following the Golden Rule: treating others like you want to be treated! I got a little dirty on the way back from the North Pole and fell into a pile of snow. I needed to take a marshmallow bath! Be nice!!”
The class erupts in giggles at the thought of a marshmallow bath. How absurd! And equally fascinating is the fact the the twinkle lights on the Christmas tree seem to be changing! First they were colored, the next day white, and now back to colored! Harold is so sneaky!
Let’s not forget Harold’s associates either! Frost has been keeping an eye on Kindergarten and Mr. Pudding has got the low-down on second grade. Mr. Pudding enjoys the flagpole where he can watch the entire classroom from afar. Mr. Pudding also enjoys sitting by the window so that he can observe recess. Frost had a great view of the book room while she sat atop the fire alarm light. She’s also known to leave footprints across the whiteboard and pilfer candy canes!
Of course the magic behind these elves has one critical requirement. No touching! If the elf is touched, he or she loses all the magic! Of course, for anyone under the age of 7, that is just too great a risk. And so, the elf sits happily, undisturbed keeping watch and taking notes. What a magical time. They say ignorance is bliss. Never is that more true than during the Christmas season!