Next year, I picture Rachel coming downstairs on Christmas morning screaming, "Where's my loot?" because she is classy like that.

This is the two year anniversary (birth?) of my blog--thank you for reading.  I haven't been as attentive to it as I should be...believe me, I have still have plenty to say just not a lot of time these days.  I can't explain why I am so busy.  I have been more present with my girls...while that means less time in front of the computer, it does mean that I am just gathering more subject matter.

So this elf thing....still don't like it.  Again, the Wang's elf is Mike.  I was purposely late to the game and just started "Mike's watch" this past weekend--I am on Day 5 of situating him prior to going to bed so the girls wake up to see where  and how Mike is waiting for them.  Out of five days, I have woken up during 3 nights realizing that I forgot to take care of that little red shit.  As soon as my alarm goes off, I jet downstairs to make sure Mike is in a new spot.  God, the pressure is killing me and I just started!  Some people started prior to Thanksgiving.

Interestingly, Rachel, the youngest, isn't interested.  She could care less--I think this is Rachel's last year believing in Santa.  Next year, I picture Rachel coming downstairs on Christmas morning screaming, "Where's my loot?" because she is classy like that.

Laurel needs to see where Mike is ...Laurel loves the surprise and truly believes in the fat man in red.  We have another few years of this.  But with this belief, the pressure is on--me, just me.  Ching has never touched Mike.  And that's another thing, Laurel flips out if anyone touches him--it hurts his magic.  I do respect her rule of that little stalker can't land upstairs when she is sleeping.  So Mike is relegated to the first floor or basement.

But then I have found the pressure causes the issue of "Elf Envy" I hear about all of the precarious situations that her friends' elves has gotten into.  What if my "Mike situations" aren't cool or creative?
LAW:  "You know Mackenzie got a gift from her elf."
JCW:  "Yeah, on Christmas.  You will too."
LAW:  "No, she got it yesterday."
JCW:  "Elves don't bring appetizer gifts up to the big day."
LAW:  "It was just a key chain."
JCW:  "Does she have a car too?"
(Sensing my pissiness, Laurel dropped the gift idea.)

For me the sole purpose of the elf was leverage.  Mike was going to watch over my girls to make sure they are good until December 25th.  There are no gifts given prior to this and the situations stress goodness and "kiss assery".  Mike does homework, cleans up and appreciates focus--you know, the Wang way.  You will not find our elf driving the Barbie vette, with Barbie riding shotgun, topless.  Or writing on a wall with a crayon.  Or leaving a trail of chocolate chips like he just poo'ed across the living room.  (Jesus Christ, this would be the only time that Rachel would be interested and I just got her to poo on the potty 5 months ago.)

So, as a parent, if I don't convey discipline, I have Barbie sized elf dressed in felt to do my work.  Yeah, I feel pretty much demoted for the next 14 days.