Dear Zippy the Elf,

Welcome back to another slightly frantic December at the Lowe home. Your first season with us was a big hit with the munchkin, although less so with me if you recall.

Since you are already on thin ice, so to speak, I'd like to request some help from you and your cohorts. You see, sometimes, the munchkin wakes to discover you in the same spot as the night before when you are supposed to have moved to a new spot after your nightly trip back to the North Pole to report to Santa. In the next edition of The Elf on the Shelf, I'd be grateful if you'd point out to eager munchkins everywhere that since Santa has so many elves flying in daily, he has to schedule appointments for them throughout the day and night. Apparently, your appointment is approximately 11 am. It has taken some effort to convince the munchkin of this.

See, the problem is that we already have enough trouble with our tricky Tooth Fairy. Many's the morning that we've found the money hidden in odd places in the munchkin's room rather than the usual under-the-pillow spot. You elves and fairies sure do keep us on our toes.

Thanks,

Mama Lowe