My mom ordered him on target's website. He comes with a book too! The book explains how the elf works in kids terms. You can get different kinds of elves too. There are girl elves and boy elves. Dark elves and light elves. Here's the link: http://www.target.com/p/The-Elf-on-the-Shelf-A-Christmas-Tradition-with-Blue-Eyed-Elf/-/A-13740548 Here's what the book says: Have you ever wondered how Santa could know if you're naughty or nice each year as you grow? For hundreds of years it's been a big secret. It can be shared if you promise to keep it. At holiday time Santa sends me to you. I watch and report on all that you do. My job's an assignment from Santa himself. I am his helper, a friendly scout elf. The first time I come to the place you call home you quickly must give me a name of my own. Once you are finished my mission can start. What will you call me - Markle or Zart? Will it be Foddle, Criddle, or Clyde? Frisbee's cute, too, but you must decide. Each night while you're sleeping to Santa I'll fly to the North Pole right through the dark sky. Of course Christmas magic helps me to be quick. I laugh with my friends and report to Saint Nick. I tell him if you have been good or been bad. The news of the day makes him happy or sad. A push or a shove I'll report to the "the Boss" but small acts of kindness will not be a loss. In the care, at the park, or even at school the word will get out if you broke a rule. I'll be back at your home before you awake, and then you must find the new spot I will take. You'll jump out of bed and come running to see: who'll be the first to spy little old me. Maybe the kitchen, the bathroom, or den is where you will find me, your special elf friend. I can hide on a plant, a shelf, or a frame. Where will I be? Let's make it a game. There's only one rule that you have to follow so I will come back and be here tomorrow: Please do not touch me. My magic might go, and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know. I won't get to tell him that you've said your prayers, or helped to bake cookies, or cleaned off the stairs. How will he know how good you have been? He might start to think you forgot about him. I can't speak to you, so says Santa Claus. All of us elves have to follow his laws. I'll listen to you. Tell me your wishes. Would you like a game or some tiny toy dishes? The gleam in my eye and my bright little smile shows you I'm listening and noting your file. The final decision with Santa now rests What do you think? Will you get your request? The night before Christmas my job's at an end. The rest of the year with Santa I'll spend. So blow me a kiss and bid me farewell. I'll fly away when I hear Santa's bell. Of course I will miss you, but wait 'til next year. When the holidays come I'll again reappear. Until then I wish every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy. That's what the books says and at the back of the book it says: This tradition started for the ______ family on ___________. We welcomed our elf by choosing the name: _______ This is such a cool tradition to start. My 3 year old is really enjoying it and I can't wait for my 1 year old to be able to understand it as well! ~Erin~

*&%#@^#% !!!! Now I wish I had saved more of my hosta seed! I have just a few I will be winter sowing. Oh, maybe next year. That's a good idea I had forgotten about. Connie

I think I may have told the story before! In 1999, when I was still living in an apartment and didn't even own a houseplant, our radio station was getting ready to do the annual live broadcast from the flower show in Portland. I had never been, and had no plans to go. The day before the gig, the talent had a dizzy spell and I called him an ambulance. (He was a 75-year-old smoker, had many heart issues, several surgeries, and was not looking well that day. Just for the record, he was trying to talk me out of calling an ambulance!) They kept him in the hospital overnight and the flower show remote was re-assigned to me. I was hooked the minute I walked through the door! Roger gave me several interviews and walked around with me a lot. I had no idea who he was at the time!

I have several brown bears, and also have the perfect tree to use next year to copy this idea. Just have to get some Santa hats for my bears. :o)