The Elf on the Shelf. Capturing Memories and Telling Stories one image at a time.
Vermilion, Alberta | Jammie, our resident elf| Nicole Marie Photography Co photos
The Story:
As I was thinking about what to post for the next story telling image I was absently browsing my fb feed on my cell. I scrolled past a post regarding the Elf on the Shelf that grabbed my attention. I did the reverse finger scroll and read the post in it’s entirety. The author of this post hates the Elf on the Shelf craze. She is too busy to deal with a stupid elf. Who has time to pinterest ideas for their elf or be individual enough to come up with something on their own. You get the idea. I’m going to be honest, it did stir a reaction in me. Not because I am an Elf on the Shelf advocate but because I thought to myself, why do we as a society have to make our opinions known to the world, and in doing so, be so down on those who do not share the same opinion as we do? I looked across the room and saw Jammie, our elf sitting on the top of a horse. Logan put him there because I had neglected moving Jammie the night before. It warmed my heart that my 19 year old son loves his little sister enough to make sure the joy the elf brings Dolly remains strong all holiday season long. Holiday traditions that bring a family closer together and create memories. That is when I thought that a photo of Jammie is the perfect image for my next post.
My family life is very important to me. I try to make every day special for the kids in some way. The holidays are a time that is especially treasured to us. Dolly takes great joy in the holiday season. She is a giver at heart and very much like her Grandma Templeton in her very vibrant imagination. Grandma has an elf named Pete. Pete is always doing bad things. He has shown up in the middle of the Hilton Hotel in Calgary while Dolly was on holidays with Grandma and Grandpa, causing trouble for the staff. Pete has broken ornaments and shredded toilet paper. Pete is a bad elf. Our elf Jammie is a good elf. He keeps an eye out for Dolly. He leaves her notes and sometimes little gifts. Jammie has made travel between mom and dad’s house a little easier during the holidays. (thanks to two loving older brothers, even though they complain and threatened to bust out the truth regarding Jammie) Jammie always does little things for Dolly that make her giggle. Nothing elaborate. No crazy schemes. He moves around the house, plays with Dolly’s toys and sits on the tree. He is very much a part of our Holiday spirit.
The Memory:
When I see this picture of Jammie I remember how horribly cold it has been. Even Jammie has to dress up a little to stay warm. He has the same hat as Logan but he doesn’t look near as dashing as Logan does in his hat! Logan has worn his hat with style for the past 3 or 4 years. Jammie is sitting outside the door with the house key, waiting for Dolly to come home from the weekend. It is her job to unlock the door when we get home as I am usually carrying a bag or two of groceries from town. Her routine to run up the steps would have been stalled when she saw Jammie. Her laughter filling the air. Looking at one photo of Jammie fills my head with memories of all the days he has brought joy to our home. All the times Dolly has come running into a room and seen him sitting somewhere unexpected. The way she has told Grandma and Grandpa about his latest place to sit and watch her. No our elf doesn’t do crazy things like draw on all our family photos but he is a part of our holiday memories.
Telling stories, one image at a time.
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If you have not heard the Elf on the Shelf story you can find out more information here.
