For a few years I've been thinking about doing this Elf on a Shelf for the boys. But the more I look at it, the creepier he seems to me. But this year there was a thing floating around the interwebs of a family who had "Dinovember", in which the kids' plastic dinos did pretty much the same thing the Elf does at Christmas time. You know, getting into stuff, making messes, and causing mischief while the kids sleep. So I ventured to do the same for my boys this year. I picked up plastic dinosaurs at Wal-mart for a buck a piece on black Friday. Then started collecting ideas for what these guys would be doing during their stay at our house.
We made their introduction on St. Nick's day with the gifting of the boys' stockings. In them, they each received a new pair of gloves (just in time because it snowed that morning), a pack of orange bubble gum, and a surprise from their new friends, the Christmas Dinos. The Dinos had left a letter for the boys explaining how they would be up to mischief each night while they sleep and they would find them in the mornings. They also made a Christmas countdown chain for the boys to put together and hang. I LOVED the excitement on their faces when they discovered these surprises! They were so genuinely thrilled at such a small gesture!
So here's a recap (in photos) of some of the shenanigans the Dinos were up to as we counted down to Christmas 2013.
Busted sneaking candy from the dish!
Riding the Christmas Train around Grandma's tree!
Making a huge mess with the boys' cereal! And helping themselves to some!
Defacing our family photos! (Elijah COULD NOT STAND to see this! He cried. Then he insisted that we clean the picture frames immediately!)
Constructed a Trio Block City on the kitchen table!
Colored Christmas pictures in the boys' new coloring books!
Played Chutes & Ladders
Worked Puzzles!
Stole candy canes off the tree and ate them!
Rode Zeke's tricicle outside. It was freezing so they wore their scarves which Grandma Debby made them!
Helped Mom make coffee in the morning!
Made a mess helping wrap Christmas gifts!
Watched a Movie and ate popcorn.
Played in the snow, went sledding, had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows!
This was one of the most fun Christmas traditions we've done yet. I loved planning it and sneaking downstairs while the boys were sleeping to get it all ready. And I loved seeing their happy faces each morning when they discovered the Dinos! We'll definately be repeating the Dino tradition next year!
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