Gnome on a What?? + FREEBIE!!

So, teaching 4th grade, I have no idea what to expect with my kiddos and what they believe or don't believe ...each year it's different.  Not that it's a topic of conversation in class....it's totally not but I listen and can hear them chatting....this year I have quite a few that have younger siblings and are totally believers:)  There are a few that have the famous Elf on a Shelf and have told me crazy tales. 

Well, Monday, one of my quiet boys asked if he could show me something.  He goes to his backpack and pulls out this teeny, tiny gnome (that's what he said it was)  It's adorable.  He said it was from somewhere...my memory is fading with the approaching holidays....I think Germany, not sure..anywho, he said it knocked over his Mom's Christmas characters.  I said he had better not wreck my classroom and my sweet boy said

"Oh no, Mrs. Eiken.  He will be in my backpack."

Haha!  Let the games begin!  So needless to say, during a trip to another classroom to look at social studies projects, I got some helpers to wreck my room.  We got back to this:

As we were entering the room, my kids did the whole train wreck reaction.....the first one stopped dead in his tracks and then boom, boom, bang, crash.....pile up!  Then as they entered the room...with mouths WIDE open, one of my boys yelled out and I quote:

"We've been robbed!!!"

I about died!!  

So gnome has been a fun substitute for elf.  After 2 days of gnome havoc, he is only allowed to come back on Fridays.  It has been fun to see the looks on my kids faces.  It's is also great to see how quickly (I'm talking minutes) they pick up and after a few minutes of excited chatter, we are back in action.

Let me introduce the culprit.....gnome:

He's the little tiny thing on the left...lol.  I'll get a better pic next time.  I am actually thinking about making some of these...kinda fun and lots cheaper than the elf.  Plus my daughter would not come home from college if I got the elf, he scares her..lol!

Love this pic!

I love that I can still have this kind of fun with my older kiddos:)

I'm linkin up my gnome fun with Miss Nelson who is having a Elf linky party with some 

yummy prizes:)

I can't get enough of Melonheadz adorable elves!  I made up some No Homework Passes in hopes of keeping academic focus up and encouraging best behavior in this countdown to Christmas break:)

Jolly Joy!  No Homework Pass

They are free at my store:)  Happy weekend all!

Don't forget Monday Made It December edition is this Monday:))))  

Please oh please, get your craft on and link up:)