Not on my shelf.

The tradition goes by several monikers: "Elf on the Shelf", "Gnome in the Home", or "Troll in the Bowl", but the one we use is the story of Christopher Pop-in-Kins.   Sure, the "troll" and "gnome" ones are probably not traditions that are well known, and ones that I made up, but the first one I have heard about many times.   Several years ago, we began the tradition here at our home with Chris and it is a much anticipated event each year.   On Thursday night, we will read the book of Christopher Pop-in-Kins and how he is an elf much smaller in size than the other elves at the North Pole.   Wanting so bad to be part of the build-up to Christmas, Chris goes to Santa and asks if there is anything he can do in order to help with the season.   The big guy tells him that he is to go into the houses at the beginning of December and keep the little children's minds busy by playing hide and seek with them each night, only to move to another place in the house the next night.   Of course, if a child touches him, he loses the magic and must return immediately to the North Pole.   Watching our daughter get excited about the tradition only makes me want to continue it as long as we are able.   When I started to take his picture today, it was as if I saw a twinkle in his eye as if to say that he is just as excited about the journey as we are.   How he moves from place to place each night is a mystery to me, but soon I'm going to catch him making his jump from shelf to shelf and spill his secret.   I'm watching you, Christopher.