Elf On The Shelf’s Arrivals
Our ‘Elf On The Shelf’, referred to as “Jingles” has been a tradition for a few years now. Sophia, Aidan, and their parents stayed with us for awhile when they were young. They were here for Christmas and I bought Jingles for them. Sophia and Aidan are growing up so quickly. I wanted to make Jingles’ appearance this year special. In the past, Jingles has appeared at the front door in a postal package…
riding up on a Remote Controlled Truck in the garage…
perched on a swing dangling from the rails on the catwalk and holding a sign, “Let the Elf games begin!”, to name a few. For more of our elf’s antics click here ►Jingles.
The Daring Elf On The Shelf’s Explosive Arrival This Year
But this year, I wanted to make it something much more memorable. Fireworks came to mind. My first thought was having him come out of the fireplace where a small firework, smoke bomb, or something would be set off. Okay, that vision was quickly nixed because it would be pretty dangerous and stupid. I didn’t want to destroy the house in the process.
The thought of Jingles dangling from a parachute in the maple tree in the backyard was considered, but that really didn’t mesh with the firework idea. The idea of a loud bang to get the grandkids attention was the objective.
My husband Dave is not one to go to when you have an idea that is a little on the creative side. He will immediately tell you why your idea won’t work. So, I talked to my youngest son, Will, who usually is in charge of the fireworks on the fourth of July. He was on board immediately.
He agreed the deed had to be done outside and on a flat surface. We brainstormed for awhile and he said he would take care of it, getting the appropriate firework that is. That turned out to be a mortar.
The plan was for him to set off the mortar and then, from a safe distance, throw the elf close to the mortar shell. Positioning wasn’t critical. Jingles had, presumably, been blown up by a mortar!
A little charcoal colored eyeshadow was applied to the little guy’s face to look like he had been smoked.
Well, after everyone finished the Thanksgiving meal and all were preparing to play games and other activities, there was a loud boom and bright lights in the backyard. Everyone looked around in wonder and asked what that explosion was. We all filed out onto the deck.
Even though it was dark by this time, the kids immediately noticed the upright mortar shell in the yard. They also noticed something right beside the shell but were not sure what it was for a few seconds. Then, Aidan shouted, “It’s Jingles!”
Lulu commented that his face was all black. There were several discussions going on at this time and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. One of those comments was, “Jingles is really naughty.”
We cautioned them to stand back for a few minutes, and then, they cautiously crept up to Jingles and shouted, “He has a letter!”
Tiffany asked if they could retrieve it without touching Jingles. Remember, the magic will disappear if he is touched. Aidan was successful in accomplishing the task and they all came inside to listen to Aidan read it aloud. He untied the red ribbon wrapped around the letter and unrolled it to reveal this note. The note was created on PicMonkey.com using the “design” icon at the top of the page.
Well, they were a little concerned that he was outside but we assured them he could take care of himself.
When they were all preoccupied, I sneaked out to retrieve the errant elf and hid him under the front seat of my car.
The Next Morning
The kids spent the night with us and the next morning, bright and early, I got up thinking I’d rescue Jingles from the car and place him somewhere before the kids were out of bed.
That didn’t happen. Aidan was already sitting at the kitchen table! After he got involved in something on the iPad, I pulled Jingles from the car and hid him in my robe.
Once upstairs, I pulled him out and began to clean his face. I noticed a dark spot on his leg and began to brush it away, thinking it was a piece of leaf. Wrong! Jingles had been wounded!
Apparently, Jon-Michael helped Will with the covert deed and laid the elf next to the mortar before it exploded. Sparks from the fireworks landed on the elf. That was not the plan but who knows? It could have happened if he had been tossed there later. I knew there were risks when this scheme was first formed in my mind. We are lucky he didn’t catch fire and go up in smoke right in front of the kids! That would have scarred them for life!
What to do? Clearly, I didn’t have time to repair him at that point. I pulled out an old sachet that looked like a tiny pillow, slipped Jingles in my umbrella cover, and placed him in front of Frosty in the foyer. That Totes cover kind of looked like a sleeping bag, right? Well, it hid his injuries, giving me a little more time to figure out this catastrophe!
Sophia woke up and immediately said, “Where is Jingles?”
In a short time, she had found him and said, “His arm is broken!”
What? When he was stuffed in my robe, apparently his arm was disfigured! She showed Aidan and then began to go over what had happened the previous night. They surmised it had happened during that explosion.
Well, the next time they came over, Jingles had an arm sling and two tiny Band-Aids on his burnt leg.
Sophie exclaimed, “See, I told you he broke his arm!”
Not sure right now what to do to repair the little guy. Maybe some clothes are in order. Any suggestions?
Perhaps this was not the best idea but I don’t think the kids will ever forget The Daring Elf On The Shelf’s Explosive Arrival This Year!
