The Secret Elf

A couple days ago a secret elf showed up at our house. He or she (as Savannah--in a surprisingly mature and politically correct move--has taken to saying) started off by leaving little heart shaped notes that said, "Your secret elf." Sometimes these were accompanied by a picture (the one for Kip) or candy (the ones for Mark and Savannah) or a shell (the ones for Savannah, Emma, and me).

The next day, Kip said he needed everyone's sheets off their beds. This resulted in a huge outcry from Savannah who said that she couldn't do it and cried passionately about this. Lo and behold, when she went into her room 5 minutes later, the sheets were off her bed and another note had been left. Truly, the secret elf was both quick-thinking and thoughtful in this one, as the thought of doing Savannah's sheets as a kindness certainly hadn't occurred to me.

At this point, there began to be much conjecture as to who the elusive elf might be. Savannah was beside herself with curiosity and even Mark was in a bit of a sleuthing mood, asking if it was me and claiming that he'd found a stack of hearts on Elizabeth's dresser. "Well," I told him, "You never know; the elf has to put his ['or her,' Savannah said] stuff somewhere."

Elizabeth, for the record, adamantly denied any accusations about her part in the elfing. At one point, she even shouted, "I am not the elf." And truly the elf has been most careful not to be seen. Yet she [or he] has continued to leave notes, do good deeds, and provide candy for the lucky Pace household. Each time something is discovered, there is much joy.

The interesting thing is that the mood in our house yesterday was very calm and happy. After the Secret Elf made everyone's beds, the other kids seemed more willing to be kind too. They all did their responsibilities with a surprising amount of cheer and they played nicely together for the entire day.

Notably, the only person not to receive a little something from the Secret Elf has been Elizabeth.

Consequently, this morning after she left for school, a couple of chocolates appeared on her pillow from The

 Happy Elf. Good thing. She deserves it.