I'm big into making memories, creating and following traditions and doing fun things that are going to leave some sort of lasting impression. A few years ago when I started to notice the Elf On The Shelf popping up felt this would be another great opportunity for some fun and memories for our family to share!
I didn't research or know anything about Elf On The Shelf other than they could be mischievous little things during the Christmas season. I didn't know that they really were supposed to sit there on their shelves untouched all season long. Because I didn't know the details our elf story might be a bit different than most, and what it all evolved into are some of my sweetest memories in Jay's childhood so far.
So because I didn't know that the elves were not meant to be touched, Jayden's elf was brought right home to him and into his arms. Jay took to this elf, who was quickly given the name Toby, immediately. From the time Toby came home to the days getting closer to Christmas, it was not often that you would see Jay without Toby. Everywhere Jayden went, Toby was close at hand. TV watching, park adventures, home schooling....you name it, Toby was doing it with Jay.
So when the conversations started happening about Toby going back up to the North Pole with the other Elves on Christmas Eve....it was obvious that Jay's heart was heavy about his friend leaving. I didn't imagine that such a bond would form between the two of them...but it surely did.....With that being the case we woke Christmas morning to find the Toby, was still with us. He wanted to stay with his boy.
The whole next year, this friendship between a boy and his elf continued. Toby rode in the car with us, went out to eat with us, he even traded in his Christmas clothes for a pair of buckskins. The reason for the buckskins was of course because at that time buckskins were the outfit of choice for Jayden! Each night as I tucked in Jay, Toby was to be tucked in right beside Jay. Day in and day out Toby's face got darker and darker as the dirt from the daily life adventures he had with Jay clung to his face. He was worn out and well loved by his boy.
We are in our third year now with Toby...and he has began to sit on his shelf more often than not these days. He no longer comes along each time Jay leaves the house or takes in a TV show. The season of the boy and the elf is slowly coming to a close. Jay is growing and maturing...entering into a new phase of life and friendships....but this one, the first one, between he and Toby is not one that my heart will soon forget.
