Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 22nd, 23rd, 24th

Dec. 22nd - Cutesy was up to more mischief this day. He went into Boogs' sock drawer and took one sock from each pair to make a swing. He hung the sock swing on the dining room light fixture.

We were so happy for December 22nd to get here. We had a half day at school and then we were able to finally begin our Christmas Break. My school's holiday spirit theme for the last day was Ugly Sweater Day. I had an ugly sweater that I have worn in the past. This year, I added a green tulle layer to it to make it extra ugly. I love these spirit days. Boogs just rolls his eyes at me and says, "I know to expect this from you."  I think he is glad that he no longer goes to my school.

Dec. 23rd - Cutesy was a little thief this morning. He must have gone through my school bag and taken one of the gifts a student gave me. Cutesy had a bag of popcorn, a box of Sour Patch candy, and a RedBox movie gift code for Boogs. I think Cutesy might be running out of ideas since this is his 13th year to visit us.

Dec. 24th - Wow! Cutesy was feeling pretty fancy this day. He brought Boogs a box of crackers and some spray cheese to make little Christmas trees on those crackers. He also left the rest of the Festive Trivia Quiz Cards he had not given to Boogs, yet. I wonder how many Boogs will get correct.

We are certainly going to be sad to see Cutesy head back to the North Pole this year. He told me this might be his last year with us since Boogs will be an 18-year-old grown up at Christmas time next year. I suppose we will have to wait and see.

Merry Christmas! May your holidays be filled with joy and laughter.

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 17th - 21st

Dec. 17 - Cutesy was ready for a day of pampering with Boogs. He brought a Bro Face Mask, eye mask, and some peppermint foot soak. Sounds like a good day to me.

Dec. 18th - Cutesy went old school this day by bringing in paper versions of Tetris and PacMan. He put little button candies on the PacMan page for Boogs to eat. The quote on the sign is from an 80s movie - War Games. Boogs remembered the name of the movie the quote came from. I have made him watch many of my favorite 80s movies.

Dec. 19th - Cutesy was concerned about all of the candy buttons Boogs had eaten so he showed up with a 3D printed Yoda toothpaste cap. It looks like Yoda will vomit the toothpaste onto your toothbrush. Eww!

Dec. 20th - Cutesy was hiding in the curio cabinet with an origami kit and a sign that says, "Can you make a reindeer for me?"

Dec. 21 - Cutesy set up a hunt for Boogs. He hid six Ferrero Rocher chocolates in the living room. Boogs easily found five but needed help finding the one placed on the Christmas tree topper.

My elementary school has been embracing the holiday with themed spirit days. I had a lot of fun dressing up for Whoville Day.

My partner teacher joined in the fun. We took our picture with a green screen and then put ourselves in Whoville.

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Community service project - Blankets of Hope

A Movement of Kindness

Blankets of Hope is an educational nonprofit that helps students practice empathy and kindness in an impactful community service learning experience. My fifth grade students participated in Blankets of Hope's video workshop which focuses on empathy and kindness. Students wrote cards of encouragement and care to attach to blankets to be given to people in need in our community. The blankets will bring warmth and the cards will bring messages of hope and let the person receiving the blanket know that someone is thinking of them. 

I think it is so important to teach children about ways they can care for others and make an impact in their communities. This is the third year my 5th grade students have participated in Blankets of Hope. The holiday season is a great time for students to think of others and how they can make someone's day better. Blankets of Hope also has a 21-Day Kindness Challenge for students. 

Round Rock Area Serving Center serves people who are living out of their cars or are on the streets. I delivered the blankets and cards to the Round Rock Service Center this week.  They were thankful to receive them.

Blankets of Hope is making a difference in communities all across the country. There are currently over 20,000 students on the BOH waitlist. Donations help keep Blankets of Hope going and able to have their workshop impact student's lives. Please click the logo below to find out more about Blankets of Hope and how you can help

 

Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 14th, 15th, 16th,

Dec. 14th - Cutesy made us laugh this morning. He was not too pleased with the teenage boy funky smell so he brought along some soap on a rope to help clear the air. Honestly, Boogs does not stink. I think Cutesy was just up to some nonsense.

Dec. 15th - Cutesy must have gone through the kitchen cabinets. He was doing his yoga practice on my silicone baking mat. Cutesy brought a yoga mat for Boogs to use to join him. Cutesy found the Elf Yoga poses sheet HERE.

Dec. 16th - Cutesy built a little wall to hide behind this morning. Boogs walked by his hiding spot four times before noticing the black paper wall.

Cutesy wanted to watch his favorite movie - Elf.

We are having so much fun with Cutesy this year. Each day is a new surprise. I can't believe Christmas will be here in less than 10 days.

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 11th, 12th, & 13th

 Dec. 11th - Cutesy picked a tricky spot to hide this morning. He was under the dining room table with the chairs pushed in. It took Boogs some time to find him. Cutesy had Christmas movies all around him and brought some Christmas movie trivia for Boogs to figure out. Boogs was a superstar at answering the questions. Cutesy must have found the trivia sheets HERE.

Dec. 12th - Every year Cutesy shows up with new pajamas or a new robe for Boogs. This year he brought his favorite Christmas color - red!

Dec. 13th - Cutesy was up to mischief and nonsense this morning. He "decorated" Boogs' phone with colorful rubberbands.

Christmas Spirit is running wild here in Texas. My school has been having festive holiday themed days. On December 13th, the theme was "You are a gift. Dress up like a present" day. I love participating in theme days!!!

How have you or your elves been showing Christmas Spirit?

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 9th & 10th

Dec. 9th - Cutesy the keeps surprising us. He brought Boogs a special treat (caramel apple) and a trick (caramel onion).

Wow! It looks like a couple of yummy caramel apples. But wait... here is a look behind the scenes.

Boogs was not fooled! He thought one of the apples looked a bit too lumpy. Cutesy was still able to pull off a trick because the powerful onion fumes permeated through the apple and made it taste a bit "onion-y".

Dec. 10th - Every year, Cutesy brings Boogs some kind of gingerbread house. This year, he brought a miniature gingerbread house kit from his elf friend.

Good job, Cutesy! The last couple of years, Cutesy has been a little confused and brought some interesting gingerbread-ish houses for Boogs.

This year, Cutesy is back on track with a small but true gingerbread house.

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 7th & 8th

Dec. 7th - Cutesy the Elf is enjoying his 13th year with us. He brought along some reindeer friends to help him complete our Santa and Rudolph puzzle.

Dec. 8th - Cutesy showed up wearing a bow tie to look more like a game show host. He had a Spin-the-Wheel game for Boogs to try. Boogs was feeling lucky and decided to take a spin. I was hoping the spinner would land on "Wash Mom's Car" but Boogs got lucky. He landed on a prize space and won a little plastic slinky.

Cutesy isn't the only one around here with holiday spirit. I love the Christmas holidays. I teach at a school that has theme days during the month of December. My favorite day this week was "Festive Hair or Hat Day".  How are you expressing your holiday spirit???

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Elf Antics with Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 4th, 5th, and 6th

Dec. 4th - Cutesy the Elf brought lots of Christmas Cheer by decorating Boogs' areas of the house.

Every year Cutesy visits, he finds some way to block Boogs' door. This year he put up a flag type banner that looks like a real decorated door. 

Here are a few of the ways he blocked the door in the past:

Every year, Cutesy decorates Boogs' bathroom with this Santa set. This year, he added the little elf to the door. The sign says: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Cutesy first brought this little tree for Boogs' playroom in 2011. Every year, Cutesy brings it back and also has a new ornament to hang on the tree. Since this will most likely be Cutesy's last year with us, he brought an elf ornament with a picture of himself for the face.

Dec. 5th - Cutesy set up a Taco Truck and brought a gift card to Torcy's Tacos. Boogs really appreciated that gift card. Cutesy found the Taco Truck Printable HERE.

Dec. 6th - Cutesy showed up with a special message. I think he wanted to wish this for the world and wants to hear this song.

What mischief and nonsense have your elves been up to?

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

 

Elf Antics With Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 3rd

Cutesy the Elf has been very busy getting up to mischief and nonsense in our house this week! He created a Sip & Guess Game for Boogs to play.

The card says: Want to play a game? Take a sip an guess what it is. Get all right and you win a prize. 

I caught Cutesy setting this up, so here are some behind the scenes pics.

Gatorade, Pickle juice, Coke, Eggnog, Cranberry juice, and Naked Green Machine.

Boogs was unsure if it was worth taking a sip. He remembered the time Cutesy left him chocolate covered brussels sprouts and last year's yummy looking cake that turned out to be kitchen sponges covered in icing.

Tentative first sip.

The first one was not bad - cranberry juice.

Ooooo, the third sip was the pickle juice!

Boogs was able to correctly guess all of the liquids. He actually said the Gatorade tasted the worst because it was so salty. He said it usually tastes better when you know what you drinking.

The prize was a Dungeon's and Dragons tin of mints.

Boogs thought the Sip & Guess game was clever and fun. We wonder what nonsense Cutesy the Elf will get up to next.

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.

Elf Antics With Cutesy the Elf 2023 - December 1st & 2nd

Cutesy the Elf is back for his 13th year with us. Boogs is 17-years-old, this is most likey Cutesy's last year with us. Cutesy is always ready to get up to some mischief and nonsense.

Dec. 1st - Cutesy came back with a Santa's beard countdown and a note that says: I have traveled all around, but my favorite place is with you! Let's countdown to Santa's visit.

Dec. 2nd - Boogs bought his first car this past summer. Cutesy decided it needed a little Christmas Cheer! Cutesy put light-up antlers and reflective Christmas light magnets all over Boogs' car.

If you would like to see over 250 of Cutesy's past adventures, you can see them HERE or click on the "elf" label at the end of this post.