He's still got it!

In December 2010 I went to lunch with a friend.... We talked about Christmas and traditions. I had heard about this "elf on a Shelf" thing and asked her what she thought ;-)... I mean we already had certain traditions at Christmas time. Ones that I LOVED... cutting down our tree...stopping at Hot Dog Johnny's on the way home...reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" the night before CHRISTMAS!! But for some reason I was drawn to this silly little elf idea. My friend dropped me off after lunch and about an hour later I get a call from her... "are you home??" she asks.. "Why yes I am!!" I respond... Next thing I know she is pulling up to my house and what does she have??? THE ELF!!! (Thanks Eileen!!) and so the tradition began...
In 2010 the boys were 7 years old... Still totally believing in Santa so the idea of Erwin our Elf was easy :)... 2011 the boys still really believe...in Santa and Erwin but I know I am on borrowed time... So fast forward to 2012... About half the kids in 4th grade do NOT believe in Santa and LOVE telling the other half about it!!! SHUT UP!! :-) (who am I kidding.. I found out before my brother, who is older and couldn't WAIT to tell him and of course in turn he told a bunch of his friends...) So this year I am unsure of what the boys will think of Erwin.
A few days ago Erwin DID return and I must say I was a little disappointed (heartbroken really)...with the boys reaction...

Seriously lacked the fanfare I was hoping for... I mean LOOK!!! He was shipped from the North Pole!! I thought it was super cute!!(totally stole the idea from the internet...but who am I kidding...it's where all my ideas come from!!) The boys reaction was sorta blah... But I did over hear Cole talking to his friends the next day at school informing them of Erwin's arrival...
Day 2...

He decorated the boys "mini" tree... Well maybe a tad more excitement ... and a really small "tad"!! Cole really just wanted to know if he could keep the ornaments... 
Day 3..

Blah again... They thought Erwin was sorta funny but Cole was more worried about the fish getting cleaned after Erwin went back to the North Pole the next night..(your Elf returns to the North Pole every night to report to Santa on your behavior then comes back to your house and shows up in a different spot everyday... exhausting..trust me!!)
Day 4..

 Ok NOW we are getting somewhere.. This went over big except poor Cole thought Erwin was trying to "clean" the toilet(he does NOT get that from his Mother...let's be clear!), not fully understanding that Elves  pee green ;-).. But at least I can hear the "buzz" when he is talking to his friends... Ok I, I mean Erwin, still stands a chance of pulling this off :-)..
Day 5...

BINGO!! It happened.. Cole wakes me up and tells me I HAVE to come see what Erwin did now...Excitement was in the air! Cole turns to me and says... "Wow Erwin is amazing..so funny. I can't believe this.. he is super cool..maybe even cooler than Santa!!" 
YES!!! I, I mean, he's still got it!!! Thank you Erwin for keeping our Christmas spirit!!
Hoping you all have the Christmas spirit this year and always :)