Baby New Year: The Procrastinating Mom's Elf on the Shelf

I wanted to do an Elf on the Shelf this year, but between our advent activities and all of the other Christmas preparations, it just wasn't happening.  So my sister and I were talking about it and this is what we came up with.  (Although I don't think she'll thank me for giving her credit for any part of this.)  Anyway, this might add a little fun to the long, cold month of January.

Baby New Year does all the fun things Elf on the Shelf does like bringing treats, leaving messages, and hanging out in unexpected places, but instead of reporting to Santa about behavior, he checks in to make sure everybody is keeping their New Year's resolutions.  Those on the right track at the end of January get a special surprise (yet to be determined).  Here are some places I suspect our little Baby New Year might be turning up:

Having a snack

Catching up on some reading

Caught in the make-up drawer!

Since my 2 and 3 year old had no idea what resolutions are, I introduced this activity by reading Squirrel's New Year's Resolution.  On January 1st, Squirrel hears on the radio that it's a great day to make a resolution, but she doesn't know what a resolution is.  She goes to Bear to find out.  He explains that it's a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others.  Squirrel spends all day trying to think of a resolution, but mostly she ends up helping other forest animals with their resolutions.  At the end of the story, she realizes that her New Year's resolution is to help someone every day.

I thought Squirrel's New Year's resolution made a perfect one for us too, so that's what our Baby New Year will be keeping an eye out for.

Linking to Type A, Crayon Freckles, Today's Creative Blog, DIY Home Sweet Home, Someday Crafts, Sweet Peas & Bumblebees, Junk in Their Trunk
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