Our Elf on the Shelf returned on Saturday morning and brought our annual "North Pole Breakfast". This is a tradition we started back in 2012 and it's a morning we all look forward to.
Even Jack Bauer was excited about the kids coming downstairs :)
I set everything up on Friday night after the kids were in bed and on Saturday mornings they typically all wake up and just play upstairs so I was able to set out the food and make a few final preparations while they were still upstairs.
The table runner is a roll of wrapping paper from Homegoods and the garland is a cheap one from Michaels that I add lights and all the "filler" to. I don't do traditional red and green in our Christmas decorating so I like using it to mix it up a bit and make things extra festive and fun.
The food is simple...
... mini donuts...
... pigs in a blanket....
... grapes...
... strawberries...
... and marshmallows for hot chocolate (and eating plain) :)
The little glass straw cups were from the Target dollar spot several years ago and I just switch the straws out with fun festive ones.
I used a tiered stand to hold the cocoa supplies (the cocoa packets were in the little jar) and the glitter boxes with tissue had the ornaments for the kids.
All of the polka dot dishes I bought at Hobby Lobby the first year we did a North Pole breakfast, the white dishes are my regular white plates and the placemats are pieces of glitter scrapbook paper I grabbed at Joann's.
Buddy wrote a little note to the kids and that was set out for them as well.
The little picks and ornaments in the garland are things that I've picked up on clearance at the end of the season over the years. I always feel like "more is more" when it comes to garlands so I just load it on there.
And the whole reason this morning is so much fun is right here...
When the kids got to the table the first thing they did was change into their new pjs (I picked up a set of these for each of them - this brand is AWESOME, affordable and they wash and dry so well! Luke is in a 12 (I order sets like this up a size for him so they're not as fitted and "toddler-ish"), Mason is in a 6 and Griffin is in a 5 )
Luke read the letter from Buddy...
... and Dave and I were cracking up because they all (Mason especially) were blown away that Buddy knew things about them ;) I think that Mason's face in the picture below was when Buddy wrote a reminder to Luke to turn the interior light off in the van before he gets out :) (he does this EVERY TIME we're in the car! hahaha)
Ready to EAT!
The little poppers (I found these at HomeGoods) had a party hat and a mustache (that Griffin was NOT about to put on)...
Every year Buddy brings each of the kids an ornament and I like for it to be something that kind of represents their year.
Mason got a football (because this is the year he played football AND fell in love with TCU football)...
... Griffin got a schoolhouse (because this is the year she started school)...
... and Luke got a kayak since this was the year he learned to kayak at the lake house.
After they open them I write their name and the year on the back/bottom and they hang them on the tree.
After ornaments we busted out the RediWhip...
And then it was time for their present!
Buddy brought Mason a couple of Beanie Boos (he's STILL obsessed with them!) and a TCU shirt...
... Griffin got a reindeer purse with a pretend makeup set inside...
... and Luke got a set of Wimpy Kid movies and a few packs of Pokemon cards.
I know NOTHING about Pokemon, but the amount of excitement over a particular card he got in one of the packs let me know I may have grabbed a good one :)
Griffin LOVES watching me get ready in the morning and the makeup kit was a TOTAL hit!
The kids played for a bit while I enjoyed some hot tea...
... and then we wrapped breakfast up with hot cocoa.
I am absolutely TREASURING these moments with them and trying to soak it all in. Dave and I have the BEST time watching their little faces and now we just have to remember to move Buddy every night :)
Happy Monday, friends!!!
PS - this post contained a few affiliate links. Thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog!
PS - this post contained a few affiliate links. Thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog!
It looks like a magical morning! And help us all remember to move this elves. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, girl!
DeleteAh!!! I just love this so much!!
ReplyDeleteYAY! Thanks, friend!
DeleteThus is my favorite post you do every year! I can't wait to do this next year with my girls!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoy it! Thanks, Alysha!
DeleteThis is Amazing! What a joyous season ❤️
ReplyDeleteYou are creating such special memories for your family! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanya! I really hope they look back fondly at things like this!
DeleteYour North Pole Breakfast always knocks it out of the park!!! Love everything!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lizzie!
DeleteJust this year my daughter finally asked for an Elf on the Shelf, he or she hasn't come yet. I don't know if I'm ready for that commitment! Ha ha! How do you maintain that the Elf comes from the North Pole and not the store when they have them right by the Christmas aisles?! How do you get started on this? I have so many questions! Please help! :)
ReplyDeleteMy kids have never asked! I need to think that through so when they do I'm prepared!
DeleteSo cute! We don't do Elf in our house (GASP) because the whole thing caught on after our oldest would have been into it and it just never became one of our traditions, but I do look forward to seeing how you do it every year because you do it so well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa! I have a couple of co-workers who do it with their older kids and have SO MUCH FUN all moving the elf :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful tradition you've started. The table is gorgeous and your children just look so happy!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! They talk about this morning all year long :)
DeleteThis is always one of my favorite posts that you do because #goals! LOL I always think this would be so fun to do with mine but I just can't seem to get it together in time! Maybe next year! Where did you get their ornaments from?
ReplyDeletegirl - I feel you! I LOVE the breakfast but struggle with the daily moving :) I ordered their ornaments from Amazon.
DeleteOur poor elf is VERY lazy but they love him regardless thank goodness! I love this idea and we have that makeup set and it's a favorite here too :) xoxo ERIN
ReplyDeleteNothing better than a lazy elf! :)
DeleteOh my goodness, I just love this! You are so creative. This looks likes so much fun. I love the idea of them having a new ornament that represents their year. My grandma used to do that for me, and now that I'm older it's so special having those to look back on!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of your grandma to do that for you!
DeleteSO MAGICAL!
ReplyDeleteYou are the BEST Mom. You give me so many fun ideas to share with the kids I nanny as well. Have a great Holiday season!
ReplyDeleteOh my word! Such a sweet compliment! THANK YOU!
DeleteI love this! What a special morning to look forward to every year! Your kiddos will remember this always!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! Thanks, Tish!
DeleteThis is one of my favorite posts of yours to read every year. The ornament representing the kids' year is also a brilliant idea--especially writing their name and the year on the ornament before putting it on the tree. What a great tradition you have established.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that! Every year I debate even sharing because I don't want it to feel "old" hahaha
DeleteOh this makes me want to start all over and copy ALLLLLLL of this! I totally missed out. I give them one more year before they figure this whole Santa business out. :( That Inspired Chick
ReplyDeleteYour elf could make a surprise visit in the summer to ensure they're behaving - hahaha :)
DeletePretty sure this is my favorite post every year!
ReplyDeleteThat makes me so happy! THANK YOU!
DeleteThis is so much fun and look at all of those smiles!! Our North Pole breakfast is my all time favorite breakfast of the year. I have the best time, I mean our elf has the best time, putting it together for them. Great job mama! Sierra~ Beautifully Candid
ReplyDeleteSet an alarm for every night and name it "Move the Elf!" Have it to repeat daily!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great tradition. Your kids will hold these memories close to their hearts throughout their lives. Love your setup..you really did a very nice job! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWe did Elf on the Shelf for about 7 years and that's what blew the Santa secret for us. It was great and so fun (but a bit annoying, ha) for when they were little but I kinda wish I had stopped sooner. Our oldest said she knew it looked like a doll and had seen it at Target and Walmart. So, we have put up our elf for now since we still have one little one that believes. We may just pull him out in a few years and have FUN with him!!! Love your breakfast, decorations and traditions!
ReplyDeleteEeek!! The best morning ever! It’s a huge hit in our house!
ReplyDeleteI love your North Pole Breakfasts!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to this post every year and my kids are big! You make Christmas so magical for your kids. They will have wonderful memories;).
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable!! You did an excellent job.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite post of yours to read! You outdid yourself again!! :) also, I just wanted to say I am so sorry about the loss of your grandma. Sending prayers to your family!
ReplyDeletewould you ever consider doing a bow tutorial? your bow was perfect.
ReplyDeletePlease never stop your North Pole breakfast posts, they're a favorite and a tradition I plan to start next December (will be my first Christmas as a mom) thanks to your inspiration!
ReplyDelete