Tidbits…

I’ve had so little time lately, I’ve neglected our blog at bit. Between our own grown up dances, parties and gatherings, our children’s Christmas programs, parties and gatherings, and keeping up with our so originally named,Elf on a Shelf, Elfie, we’ve been quite busy! (McCanless named her elf with Mimi when she was three. I asked her if she would consider changing his name to “J Crew” but she refuses, so Elfie it is…) Elfie has been found in any place imaginable in our house and usually has to hide out of reach of Mary Clare! He isn’t as mischievous as other Hartsville elves, so we’ve heard, and has only made one mess in our kitchen when he got into some Christmas cookies one night. We’ve had fun with Elfie this year!

Last year, McCanless had so many questions regarding her elf, the North Pole and everything Santa! I grew very nervous, as she was only three and very skeptical about the whole thing. Nevertheless, we emphasized the true meaning of Christmas and tried to just use magic to explain everything else. This year, she certainly knows that Santa has helpers and she doesn’t ask as many questions. (We probably ruined her outlook when she was two and Mel “helped” Santa by playing the part one night in town. I thought we got away with it until we were leaving and she turned and said, “Bye-bye Da Da!”) It also probably doesn’t help that Mr. Chip, who “plays” Santa for many functions in Hartsville is also a member of our church and sings in the choir. We see him every Sunday and watch his beard grow and turn snow white beginning in October in preparation for the Christmas Season.

This year, McCanless will run up to any of Santa’s “helpers” and explain that she knows he is just a helper. She also tells him to relay her messages. It has been so much fun to see her excitement grow as Christmas approaches. We received a response from their letters to Santa a few days ago, and I thought McCanless would burst with excitement! Mary Clare is still not a Santa fan. Today, we had Lunch with Santa at the Country Club with my family. Mary Clare cried the entire time she saw Santa, and wouldn’t even sit near him for a photo. McCanless, on the other hand, wouldn’t leave Santa alone. We had to make her move so other children could chat with him. I’m afraid of what her list consists of now! She was with him for quite a while.

In other news, Mel has begun to update his blog once again. He gives his take on life, our girls and Hartsville. If you know Mel, he can be quite the character, which makes for pretty interesting reading. Check it out. www.melpennington.com

Life is great in our little corner of the world. We couldn’t ask for more.