Packed and Ready to Go - Day 24

We knew it was coming... on Christmas Eve morning, we awoke to find Cocoa packed and ready to head home. (Thank goodness that Cocoa's yearly departure coincides with the happiest morning of the year... I don't think we could handle it otherwise!)

Like last year, Cocoa left us a fun letter!

Again, Santa temporarily lifted Cocoa's magic so that the kids could touch him for the first time that month, give him a squeeze, and say goodbye.

Thankfully, we only had staged tears this year! (We had real ones last year!) The kids handled saying Goodbye so much better our second year with Cocoa-because Cocoa proved that he COMES BACK! We know it will only be 11 months until he moves back in for another 24 days!

 Mid day, I walked by Cocoa and found that one of the kids had left Cocoa a goodbye gift–his own pile of mini marshmallows. This little act touched my heart. We really do love Cocoa--all of us, young and old. Cocoa represents so much more than silliness and pranks... he represents the magic of childhood... the magic of Christmas time... and the power of family tradition.

Until next year, Cocoa... we'll miss you. 

Merry Christmas!

Bringing A Story to Life - Day 23

Carson made us a gift for Christmas and was so excited for us to open it, that we opened it a few nights early! To our delight, we found that Carson had written and illustrated us a book. (He's his momma's boy for sure!) Carson had written quite a tale... It was an adventure about Dad, Carson and Ashton going camping near a bear cave.... and wouldn't you know it, Ashton ended up wandering in the bear cave, waking the bear, and being chased out! Luckily, the day was saved when an (extremely strong) eagle swooped down from the sky, grabbed the bear with his talons, and dropped him over the edge of a waterfall--saving Ashton's life! It was quite intense! We loved the story... and it seems that Cocoa did too, because we found him reenacting the story when we awoke the next morning!

A Bedroom Makeover - Day 22 and a 1/2

On day 22, something extraordinary happened! Cocoa moved mid-day... leaving his best surprise yet! Carson had gotten in trouble after church because his room was a giant mess. Mom and Dad said he could not go play a video game until after he cleaned his room.... so Carson obeyed.... kind of! He made his bed as quickly as possible and it looked like this:

But when Carson returned just a few minutes later to do a better job... he found this:

Plus, all of the boxes that were still unpacked from moving 6 months earlier had disappeared. A curtain, a shelf, and pictures were hung, the clothes were neatly folded in his closet, the floors were vacuumed, and his desk was neatly organized:

The photo of him with Grandma and Grandpa Stevens that he had been begging to have was now even framed on his night stand.

When Carson walked in his room, he started half screaming/half crying/half hyperventilating! He could not believe his eyes! It was truly a Christmas miracle.

Cocoa must have known that an extra special boy needed an extra special surprise.

Cocoa must really love Carson.

Movie Night - Day 22

Cocoa was obviously offended that we didn't love his cooking, but by Sunday morning, it seems his heart had softened. Instead of leaving more graffiti, he left us a gift: a movie starring some of his buddies from back at the 'Pole! 

A Disgruntled Chef - Day 21

"You Didn't Eat My Lunch!"

Sack Lunches - Day 20

An elf favorite... spaghetti and maple syrup!

Mmmmmm!

Mom loved capturing Ashton's reaction as he looked into his elf made lunch:

"Oooooo! Marshmallos..."

Sorry about the blurry pic. Mom was laughing so hard she couldn't hold the camera still. She thinks that Cocoa is hilarious!

An Itchy Elf - Day 19

We're just not sure how our elf can be so nice one day... and then so terribly naughty the next! But, as always, Carson showed compassion for Cocoa... He said, "He must be itchy."  

Kyler, whose toothbrush was used, was not quite as compassionate.