Preparing for an Elf Visit... (alternate title, How to Give a Reindeer a Sex Change)

We will be traveling over Thanksgiving this year.  It's our family, my Aunt, Uncle, my cousins, their significant other, and well, Mom was supposed to attend.  Due to health issues, she'll be staying back.  It is a huge disappointment for her and for me.  I was SO looking forward to this little family get away. Nana was planning on a sleep over with the kids and lots of fun.  So, let me just stop there, before I get all emotional and upset and delete this post like I have about 10 other ones. 

anyway

We are an Elf on the Shelf family.  If you have read past posts, or allowed me to flood your Facebook feed with our elf antics, you know this.  We have an original elf, give to the kids by Nana.  His name is Rocky.  Then, two years ago, a vintage pixie elf that was either my Great Aunt Norma's or my Gramma Elsie's came to our family.  Apparently I like to give inanimate objects gender re-assignment assistance, because he became a she.   She wears a Green felt suit with a red lace skirt, her name - Tinkerbelle.  Here they are:

This was after they gift wrapped the toilet

 



They get into all kinds of adventures while visiting, and they send the kids a book in January that documents all their adventures in our home, and if they remember, they send notes through the year to remind the kids to be on their best behavior. 

Instead of coming the day after Christmas, our elves come when St. Nick visits the house on December 6th.  Sometimes they show up on Dec. 1st.  They have a pretty open schedule, so it's up to them.

Now that the Elf on the Shelf has raised the bar and added a goofy looking reindeer to their story.  He/She is not that goofy, but not up our alley.  So, I decided to find our own reindeers for snuggling at night time on vacation.  I am totally asking our hotel to help me surprise the kids with their new PJ's and stuffed animal surprise.  Here's hoping that works.

A friend, showed me these SUPER cute Reindeers by Jelly Cat.  After studying them, I decided I could make one a boy and one a girl reindeer.  A boy is easy, tie a bow around his neck, instant bow tie.  But, a girl... that required some thought.  I looked around the house, and found some white and red fabric, green ribbon, lace, red ribbon, and some snowflake clips.  I did NOT want to sew and my heat seal tape is MIA.  This left me with the glue gun.  About an hour later (and a couple of burns to my fingers due to the stupid glue gun), I was done.  Now, she's not perfect, but I think her new owner will love her.

What do you think???

So, yes, this fluff is my first blog post in a LONG time.  I hope to get back to oversharing, things have just been a little nutty lately!!!!