More Adventures of Dobby

More adventures of Dobby...

Dobby had a snack and read one of his favorite books.

Dobby helped Little Man pick up his crayons.

Dobby went fishing!  I had to explain to an irritated Little Man that Dobby was just pretending to fish for the Nemos. 

Dobby was helping Mommy with her work that night!

Dobby built a stunt car with the Tinker Toys and performed some daredevil stunts!

Dobby tested out a blanket I was making for Little Man's cousin.

Dobby is the King of the Castle!

Dobby overheard Little Man ask why he didn't wear bells, so he wrote us a note that night.

We got a new angel on our tree, and Dobby wanted her to feel very welcome!

Family is the Reason for My Season, and Our Elf is a Part of the Tradition

  Ha ha!  Dobby is back!  I... I mean, we... get to have our fun again!  The first two nights Dobby was back, he kept it kinda tame to feel out how Little Man would respond.  The first night he waited patiently in Little Man's stocking, and the second night he took a ride on our lollipop Christmas tree.  (Photos on left)

Last night... last night, Dobby pulled out all the stops!  Frosty set up a zip line across the living room, so there was adventure to be had!  As I looked around, I could hear (no, not literally) the dialogue going on between Little Man's toys and the Christmas decorations.  This morning, I decided to create a comic strip to illuminate the scene for those of you that can't be here to see it yourself.  Of course, few people see things the way I do, so the comic strip is a safe bet either way.

I realize this makes me a dork!  I should not have spent the time I did (no, I'm not telling how long it was) creating something that might get read once and probably will be forgotten immediately.  I don't care.  I had a BLAST doing it, and I'm having a blast re-defining the role of Dobby in our house.  I'm kinda sorta following the rules, however Dobby is more of a happy addition to our home rather than an actual watch dog for Santa.

I'm trying to downplay Santa's role in the holiday and up-play (it's a word NOW, people!) the role of the whole season.  I'm not going to get into the spiritual / religious discussions about the real "reason" for the season, but I will say that my reason for every season is my family.  Now that Little Man isn't afraid anymore, Dobby is a part of our family, and we are creating a new tradition that is all our own.

Dobby has been with Little Man since he was born, but we only got around to naming him since Little Man could talk and give him a name.  Yes, Dobby goes and talks to Santa each night, but I emphasize that Dobby more tells the good stuff that Little Man does so he doesn't have to be afraid of Dobby "tattling".  I've got a great kid, and I would prefer him behaving because he's being taught to behave rather than being afraid of no presents once a year.  Just my perspective... no judgement.

For the most part, Dobby is just fun!  He eats monsters (and ghosts and witches) when Little Man finds them and is scared, and Dobby gives us a daily morning mission that we complete together.  I love being woken up to the sound of, "Mom, where's Dobby?"  So, now that you have our story (no guarantees of sticking to it), I'll share the comic strip.  Enjoy!

The Many Adventures of Dobby - Episode 1

Procrastination at Its Finest

I'd love to tell you that I have something deeply profound and inspiring to tell you today, but - no deal - I'm exhibiting a bit of procrastination.  Work avoidance.  I have to cut 65 very intricate and detailed invitations (3 pieces to each invitation, all shaped like tags), and I'm not looking forward to the stiff neck or innate boredom.

Instead, I'm going to brag a little about the Christmas package I made and am slowly posting in my Etsy store.  Instead of cutting the invitations like a good girl (I've been procrastinating for the past 24 hours), I decided to quickly stage a hot cocoa bar and take some photos of my stuff.  Yes, I realize that I should have had these Christmas items up since before Black Friday.  I'm a little behind.  That's what being a single mom (slowly) growing a business with parents that are slowly getting older will get you.  Get it?  Momma of Drama...  Sigh.  No really, my life is actually pretty great.  I'm just crazy busy.

Back to the procrastination.  Here is my favorite so far; it's actually a Starbucks Frapuccino bottle filled with chocolate chips for my "hot cocoa bar", wrapped with my water bottle label and tied with the Christmas favor tag.  I have so much fun staging parties, but the other stuff usually gets in the way.  Goodness, I still have about 6 party packages that need staging and posting.    Nothing like upping the stress level by reminding me of all the things I need to do.  Sheesh, thanks!

I'm going to get back to cutting now, but tomorrow brings the staging of a Christmas Wine Party and possibly a Kids Table at Christmas dinner.  Wish me luck!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ah, it's that time of year again!  The time when I can guilt-free put eggnog in my coffee, listen to Christmas carols all I want and not get stared at as if I'm a weirdo when I'm extra nice to people.  I love this season... not just Christmas.  Christmas has never been about presents to me (OK, never is a strong word; I WAS five once) but about spending time with family.

We moved around a lot when I was young, so Christmas was the only time of year we could almost guarantee we would all be together.  I loved it.  I have a large family that is noisy and crazy and volatile and who loves one another very much, even through the insanity.  Some of my fondest memories come from the mischief my cousins and I would get up to at the kids table.  When else could we interact so openly without direct adult supervision?  Ah, memories!

I hate that I don't live close to much of my family anymore.  As we've grown, we've spread out and started families of our own.  It sometimes feels like it is impossible to visit with family that lives two miles down the road.  What can I say?  Life happens!

So... this year especially, I'm trying to form some new traditions with my son.  I was all over Pinterest trying to find unique things that Dobby, our Elf on the Shelf, could do.  Can you imagine my surprise when, three days into it, my son announced that Dobby scared him and wouldn't go within a 5-foot radius of wherever he was?  Ugh, I tried my hardest to get him to realize that Dobby is his friend, but I think the idea of a magical being traveling at will through our house every night was just too much for his three-year-old brain.

Alas, don't despair!  He went for the weekend with his Papi, and they had a really nice visit with Santa.  He came back yesterday ready to accept Dobby back into the fold.  So, wish me... I mean us... luck!  I'll keep you informed.