Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Elf Day (a.k.a. St. Nick Day)

Both Cameron and I have German blood in us, so in December we celebrate a German tradition called Elf Day (or as my family called it, St. Nick Day) which is when Santa's elves or St. Nick (however you want to celebrate it) come to your house the night of December 5th and fill your stockings (or shoes, if you are a Voge... can you tell Cameron and I are still trying to compromise with how we're carrying on this tradition!?). Anyway, so we had Hallie and Sydnee lay their shoes out on Dec. 5th for Santa's elves...

In the morning, Hallie was so excited to see what the elves brought her; Sydnee didn't really understand but thought it was cool that there were treats in her shoes that day. She had no idea that they were meant to be eaten but why spoil her innocence!?


This year, an elf was "left behind" to watch our kids throughout the month of December and report back to Santa of whether the kids have been good or bad. We told Hallie that the elf comes to life and moves every night while she's sleeping to a different spot in the house so he can watch her there. I should have known that Hallie would be skeptical about this elf... just look at her looking at him.


Well, since it is NOT normal for a three year old to be so skeptical of Christmas magic and Santa Clause, we were shocked when Hallie thanked Daddy for the candy and presents in her shoes. Even after Cam tried convincing her that the elves filled her shoes not him, but she just looked at him like he was silly for believing that!? Then, the first night that the elf moved, all the questions starting coming out. And just to say ahead of time, NO we did not tell her the truth, but here's how one of the many conversations played out the first morning we had to find the elf...

Hallie: Mommy, how does Santa get down the chimney? It's dangerous to go down chimneys! Why doesn't he just go through the door? Because we don't let strangers in our house?
Me: Santa comes down the chimney by using Christmas magic and it's closer to the Christmas tree than the door. And Santa's not a stranger.

Hallie:
How does Santa get on our roof?
Me: By his reindeer, they fly!
Hallie: Reindeer don't fly, Mom! They don't at the zoo, so they don't fly!
Me: uh......... yes they do! It's Christmas magic! Let's go find the elf, and see where he's hiding today!
Hallie: Okay! You moved him last night Mom?
Me: NO! He moves by himself when you're sleeping.
Hallie: No he doesn't, he's just a doll. Doll's aren't real.
Me: Yes they are... like Toy Story! They're real in Toy Story!
Hallie: That's just a cartoon, silly.

Okay, I was stumped. Of course, I'm lying through my teeth to keep the magic of Christmas alive, but yet, she's a smart little fart. So I just ignore her questions and hope that next year she will just start believing!?

4 comments:

Jess said...

Good luck with that one! I'd say you have your hands full!!

Linda A. said...

Hallie is hilarious! My family is Dutch so we celebrate St. Nicholas day on Dec. 5th as well. The boys put out their shoes and get candy in the morning. Don't you love those traditions. I am so doing the elf next year. So clever!

Ryan and Nicole said...

That Hallie is one super smart girl-its amazing that she thinks it through that much instead of just giving into the magic of Christmas. I hope you guys are having fun getting ready and I know you will LOVE being home for Christmas and not traveling anywhere!

*MICHELLE CAUDLE* said...

Hallie sounds like a very practical girl! Hopefully you'll still be able to convince her of the magic. My 9-year old pretty much thinks we're Santa, but because we're so convincing...she's secretly testing us in all different ways. She has no idea who she's messing with! :-)