I guess that makes me the angry elf

I thought maybe we could make ginger bread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and maybe even hold hands. Buddy the Elf

I live with Elf. We call him Bubby, for copyrighting purposes, but you get the idea. He is Smiles and Urgency and Squeals. Overly fond of syrup. He is wearing me out.
part-ogre
Now, don't get me wrong: Living with a perky elf has its advantages. He will get up early with a spring in his step, ready to take on the day. He loves people. He loves smiles. He has more energy and exuberance than he knows what to do with and I thank God for giving me such a cheerful little guy.

But at 6 am, sans coffee, I find myself shushing. When I am overwhelmed by laundry and dirty floors, I find myself growing irritable, which I am pretty sure makes me the angry elf in this scenario. (My apologies to Will Ferrell and the greater Elf population.)

So I am forcibly letting go (try that oxymoron on for size) of some of my neurotic 'I have to do Christmas this way' notions, for this little Elf is on loan, for a limited time engagement.

Comments

Angie McCullagh said…
All that exuberance can be wearing for us adults. I totally get it. We wouldn't want it any other way, but...Holy Schmoly, it's tiring.
Poor Mama Milton.

I love your "forcibly letting go" resolution. Last night, my boy looked down at me from his mighty height to wish me good night, and I found myself crying. Where did my little Elf go?

Love you, wise elf!
w said…
"Ya feelin' strong my friend? Call me 'elf' one more time!" This is my favorite movie... it makes my day to read this :D
Shana said…
Yes, what Holly said. My Little Elf is living in a van down by the river. OK. Not really. He's living in a condo in Santa Barbara. But still. They grow up and then the OH MY GOD IS THIS CHILD EVER GOING TO SHUT UP AND SIT STILL FOR FIVE MINUTES era of life is a fond memory. xoxo
Even that picture of Zack shows how quickly time passes. That toothless grin was from 2 years ago, but that's how I continue to see him today.

And will likely see him like that in 10 years too.

Weird.
Christine said…
When the boys were really young I started having "Sanity Silences." I would call one and the boys would have to be quiet for 5 minutes. Of course, they immediately began asking how long 5 minutes was, when they could talk again, etc. But now they honor my Sanity Silences, for the most part, for they know my insanity when my senses are completely overwhelmed!
Madge said…
I'm so there. We decorated the tree last night and I was biting my tongue and letting them do it their way, for the most part, but it always makes me so cranky.
brandy101 said…
aw, he is adorable!

I totally know how you feel.

My daughter is hounding me to get out various scraps of things and glue so she can make gifts for people for Christmas. Our house is in such disarray w. the construction, I really don't want craft materials adding to the mess. But she seems so earnest about it. Perhaps this weekend we will take a trip to JoAnn Crafts to get some sort of non-messy project she can work on. I am thinking ornament of some sort...
Stu said…
Great post Lisa. He is a great little elf and you are a great Mama Elf.

-Stu
Mrs. G. said…
He is a magical, smiley elf. Lucky you!
I totally have a little elf in my life too. Such a happy, energetic, active, cheerful, wring-every-drop-out-of-life kind of guy. Such a blessing; and yes, requires lots of coffee.
Suzanne said…
I need to have more patience with my peppy elves, as well. I caught myself trying to be all control-freakish about where my elves were placing the ornaments on the tree... really?? I think Christmas brings out all of the qualities in me that deserve medication.

And that was the best oxymoron I've heard in a long time.

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