Charlie, Our Elf on the Shelf

Most parents are familiar with the Elf on the Shelf.  We've had Charlie for a few years now.  The rules are simple.  Do not touch him or he will lose his magical powers (which include, but are not limited to, telling Santa if you've been naughty or nice, making sure you do not hit your brother,  are being honest, are not hiding your vegetables at dinner and on occasion creeping out Mommy).   We move Charlie throughout the day to different locations in our house to the delight of the boys.  Kyle and I have both been caught moving him to another place and this year have made the new rule that only parents are allowed to touch him and he will still retain his magical powers.  This of course makes perfect sense in the minds of a nearly 2 year old and a wise 4 year old.

Yesterday, as I was getting breakfast ready, my sweet little booshieman aka Kingston, walked over to the kitchen and told me in a slight panic that "Coltrane had touched Charlie" and he was concerned whether or not he would still have his magical powers.  I just told him that I wasn't sure and we'll just have to see.  I did not move Charlie all day until they were getting ready for their bath and moved him so that when they got out  he would be in a different spot.  Still dripping wet, their towels dropped as they jumped and squealed with excitement that Charlie had moved to the inside of a tissue box.  Kingston said he was probably "so tired from being on the hard wood all day" (that would be a wall wine rack) :)

As they boys were eating their evening snack, Kingston wasn't really eating and was quieter than normal.  He then said, "Soooo Mommy, actually it wasn't Coltrane who touched Charlie this morning.  It was me.  But it's okay, because he still has his powers".   I did the head down, eye brows up, eyes looking straight at his sweet baby face and we both broke out into a fit of belly laughs.  Meanwhile, Coltrane ate his snack and Kingstons.