Zanzoe the Elf

Last year we had a visitor show up around Christmas time, the children named him Zanzoe.  He is our "Elf on the Shelf".  Have you heard of these elves?  They come from the North Pole to keep an eye on the children and report back to Santa.  It's really a rather clever idea.  I don't use mine as a threat so much (well, not everyday anyway), but it's our connection to the North Pole.  I love catching the kids whispering to Zanzoe about what gifts they are hoping for.  And it's fun to find little notes that Ella & Max have written to their favorite elf (one such note asked if he knew any Leprechauns).  And their excitement each morning in looking for Zanzoe is quite contagious.  Even Henry gets a kick out of finding the elf.  Last year Zanzoe's hiding spots were not so creative, but because of the kids' excitement this year, and because they are getting older and harder to fool, Zanzoe has been found in a bit more creative spots.  Sometimes.  Other days he's just sitting on the shelf. 

Hanging out with Harry Potter

Reading a good book (I hear it's one of the Game of Thrones novels)

Wheeeee!

And yes, one night he did make a mess...Snow Angels!  (Please note the cocktail in the back of this picture)

On the outside looking in.

What time is it? 

Isn't syrup one of the four main food groups?

This hiding spot seemed easy to me, but it took the kids two full days to find him.  Ella had even left him a note asking where he was. 

Do you have an Elf on a Shelf?  What are some of your creative hiding places?