Elf on the Shelf

Meet Jessery Stinkplum.

He’s our crazy Elf on the Shelf who joined our family two years ago.  

After some fun family brainstorming, the name Jessery Stinkplum came to life. It seemed quite fitting for our Elf, as right from the get-go it appeared that he may get himself into some crazy shenanigans.   

Last year he arrived in a box full of snow via Canada post

He dressed up as Santa Claus and wrapped a bunch of mini gifts

He hung out on the wreath

He made chocolate Initials for the kids

He hung out inside a big giant balloon (he could have finished installing the pot lights, and fixed the pillows on the couch if you asked me)

He tangled himself in Christmas lights and hid in the plant

He took a small airplane ride

He took a big airplane ride

He got into the toilet paper

He wrapped himself up, and then wrapped himself inside a mirror

He had green tea and mini donuts with Barbie on their first date

And then he married her

He drew moustaches on our Family photos

He turned our milk green

He started a “Reward Jar” for the kids and every time they earned a marshmallow, it went into the jar.  Once the jar was full he surprised them with hot chocolate and marshmallows so they could have a hot chocolate party.

He ate an entire bag of Werther’s

He painted our nails while we slept

He got into the baking supplies and baked cookies

Jessery Stinkplum and Barbie replaced our hand prints with their own

And of course he dressed up as a superhero.

These are just a few of the things that Jessery has been up to at our house, and we are anxious to see what is in store for us this year.

What crazy things has your Elf been up to?

Dear Mom,

I love you to the Moon and back. 

60 years ago(today), the World became a better place because you were born.   

I am so grateful for everything that you have done for us over the years, and for everything you continue to do.

You’ve taught us so much through our lives and we are so fortunate to have you as a Mom.

You have taught us what it is to be loved.

You have shown us the importance of family.

You've taught me strength-even during the most difficult times.

You taught me how to bake a cake for the most beautiful times.

You have shown me that life is too short to stress about the silly stuff, and having fun and enjoying life is so much more important.

You’ve taught me that no matter how deep I get myself into things, you will always be there to dig me out.  Even if it means staying up to bake all night...or all week.

Or even if it means chopping off all your hair to help reach my goal.

You’re always by my side. 

You’ve taught me that even though a “Utherus", a "hog dog" and "chicken scissors", don’t really exist- They're still pretty funny, and I love you for that.

You’re the most thoughtful and caring person I know. Always looking to make someone else’s life better by putting them before yourself. Even if it means giving up the last dollar in your wallet, the last bed in your house, or dropping everything you have to do, just so you can be there to give your time-even when you don’t have the time to spare. 

I cherish our relationship.  Our friendship.  Our telephone conversations 3 times a day. Our late night baking parties, our chit chats over a bottle of wine.

I love that you set your alarm at 5:30 am so that you can talk to me on my drive home after a redeye (even though you really should be sleeping).

I love that Amelia and Sam get so excited to spend every second with you and then hate coming home.  

I love how you have opened our house to everyone and anyone over the years, and how every holiday our family has grown to include so many friends.

I love how you love with all of your heart, and all of your soul. 

I love you because you are you, and I can only hope that one day my kids will feel the same way about me as I do about you.

I love you!

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!