Throwing back the covers Kate sighed as it was so unusually hot for this time of year. The heat hung in the air like a heavy cloud making the atmosphere around them muggy and stuffy. It also didn't help that Mike was always hot and radiated heat. She couldn't sleep as she felt so hot it was just after midnight and it was still pretty warm.

"you okay?" Mike whispered as she pushed herself up switching on the lamp

"yeah, just can't sleep with this heat" she sighed looking over at him. "and you are just like a furnace" she grinned looking over at him

"well, I can't help it if I have a smoking hot body" he grinned

"no, you're just hot in general your just radiating heat." she said looking over at the clock. "I'm going to stand under the shower" she said sliding from the bed.

Standing under the shower Kate could feel the cooling effect of the water almost instantly. It was bliss as the cool water ran down her back. Changing In to a loose-fitting night shirt. It was a large t-shirt she had worn when she was pregnant but had kept hold of for some reason but it came in handy when the temperature sky rocketed, she headed out on to the landing to check on the kids.

Nicole and Chris were both okay with just a single sheet over them in vests and shorts. Walking across the landing she walked in to Graces room. As usual Grace was wrapped up in a cocoon. Thick pyjamas, her dooner and an extra blanket. sighing softly Kate could feel the heat radiating off her daughter from the door. Carefully pealing back, the layers so Grace wouldn't over heat. she had no idea why Grace did this but she always would wrap up like she was heading to Antartica.

Walking back in to her bedroom she pulled the duvet right off the bed folding it and placing it on to the chair. She had heard Mike walk down the stairs as she went in to Graces room. pulling back the sheet she slid in sitting up against her pillow as Mike walked in holding out a hot water bottle.

"mike its still 29 degrees out, I have you radiating heat. I don't need a hot water bottle to add anymore heat" she frowned

"its not hot. Feel" he said holding it out to her.

Taking it, she could feel it was ice cold and a welcome relief of the cool water bottle.

"that's nice" she sighed placing it in the small of her back shuddering slightly as the cool sensation shot right up her spine.

"better?" Mike asked sliding under the covers next to her

"Grace was wrapped up again" Kate sighed pulling her hair over her shoulder lying back down. "she was like a volcano. I don't know why she does it. It is baking out there"

"well maybe she just likes being toasty" Mike said reaching for the light

"Mike it hasn't dropped below 30 all week its unhealthy to wrap up that warm and how can she sleep. I am in a thin tee and I still cant sleep."

"there is one way that always makes you sleep" Mike grinned

"no its too hot" she said rolling over

Waking up a few hours later the heat had broken and a thunder storm had rolled in off the sea. Heading down stairs she wanted to make sure everything was set up with the elf for when the kids came down as it was officially the start of Christmas. Pulling out the advent calendars she had brought. Simple Cadbury's ones for the kids and a more luxury one for her and mike she placed them on the table with the elf and the elf's letter saying he had been given the all clear from the state to be allowed to spend Christmas with them and as he had tested negative then he didn't need to 'elf isolate'

They had 2 elves. Trixie Glitter-pants was Gracie's and this was the first year Chris had his own Elf as for the past 3 years Grace had shared her with her brother and it had brought treats for the three of them. Nicoles Elf Ginger Holly-berry had retired last year as Nicole had said she didn't need a elf anymore as she was too old. But Kate knew secretly she enjoyed the fun and tricks the elves played

"i thought the Elves were supposed to be isolating in the jars" Mike said wrapping his arms around Kate kissing in to her neck.

"ah well that was in case they didn't get their test results in time and I am pleased to say that their test results arrived this morning and they got the all clear so they can come out of the isolation jar" she grinned turning around

"so why is that one in there" he pointed to the elf still sat in his jar

"because that is a new one for Chris this year so it is staying in the jar until Chris gives him a name. He has a special letter from Santa"

"right and remind me what was Graces elf called." he asked

Looking at the letter to remind her self "Trixie Glitter-pants" Kate smiled.

"ah yes why the hell did she choose that name? It sounds like a stripper"

"and how would you know" Kate grinned

"No comment" he grinned "so what have they done today.?" Mike asked knowing that the elf was always outrageous

"well as it is their first official day in our home, they have brought us all our advent calendars" she smiled

"right and which one is mine" he grinned picking up the biggest one.

"not that one. That is mine. See all Milk chocolate. This one is yours" she said handing him a favourites calendar.

"thank you" he smiled opening the door one pulling out a cherry ripe miniature "my favourite" he smiled

Hearing the Kids run down the stairs Kate smiled as they pushed their way in to the kitchen.

"Trixi" Grace called running up to the table jumping up and down

"calm down Grace. Look Trixi has left you a letter from Father Christmas" Kate smiled handing Kate handed her the letter from Santa. "Chris look I think someone has come for you. Look." Kate said as she carefully lifted the jar off the table. "it's an elf for you. He has written you a letter" Kate pulled the scroll. "To Chris. Farther Christmas has sent me to watch over you until Christmas and make sure you are being a good boy. I am here to stay till Christmas eve when I will go back to the north pole when Father Christmas comes to visit. first of all, I need a name" Kate read. "you mustn't touch and only look as I will loose my magic if you play."

Kate gave a mock gasp looking at Chris as he watched totally absorbed in what she was saying. Placing the jar back up on the table she pulled off the advent calendar she had gotten for him.

"so what are we going to call your elf" She asked

"i know" Grace danced around ecstatic that they had 2 of Santa's elves in their house and most of her friends would only have one. "we can call him Alfie McElf-face" she grinned

"Gracie its Chris's elf so he gets to choose the name" Kate looked at Grace. "now go and tell daddy what you want for breakfast" she said turning back to Chris. "so what is elf's name" she said softly

"bob" Chris piped up looking up

"that's not a very elfish name" Grace called from the kitchen table

"Grace if Chris wants to call his elf Bob then he can" Kate looked over shaking her head. Grace could be a little domineering a times and want everyone to sing to her hymn sheet. Now that she had 2 elves to try and come up with 23 fun and naughty things for them to do over advent. She had a few ideas but she was well short of some and she wanted to think of some new ideas so she would have to hit the internet for some really good ideas.

so happy December 1st really hope you like this. Graces elf's name came from a name thing i found on the internet (first letter of your name + fav colour) and chris's is just random. anyway i have a few ideas for the elf on the shelf in. anyway let me know what you think and huge love 24 sleeps to go. x