Dad turns baby into real-life ‘Elf on the Shelf’

In recent years, “The Elf on the Shelf” has become one of the most beloved holiday traditions for many families. Kids love discovering their elf in surprising places throughout their home, and parents love the fact that kids are on their best behavior when the elf is around, to ensure he gives a good report to Santa. Well, one dad has taken this fun tradition one step further by turning one of his six children into a real-life Elf on the Shelf of sorts.

In 2015, Alan Lawrence decided to dress up his son, Rockwell, like an adorable elf and capture him on camera getting into mischief and turning up in the most unexpected places in their home. Here he is pretending to down some syrup with a straw, just like Will Ferrell as Buddy in “Elf”:

https://www.instagram.com/p/-_8FyNwnU0/

Lawrence even caught him hanging around while he was trying to take a shower:

And he caught him getting into the whipped cream in the fridge:

Too cute!

Last year, Lawrence once again revived the tradition, and it’s evident that little Rockwell had grown quite a bit! Here he is getting into some chocolate at 15 months old:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN7vKsNBXp4/

“It’s been a little more difficult now that Rockwell can walk, Lawrence told Us Weekly in 2016. “The window for the shot is a lot smaller. And if there isn’t candy or sweets involved, he usually makes a run for it.”

Another issue is that Rockwell was less amenable to the adorable red had that completes his outfit.

“My wife and I wait until the last minute to put it on his head,” Lawrence explained.

So far this year, “Rockwell the Elf” has made a few appearances:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbqtox_njAx/?taken-by=thatdadblog

Check him out getting into trouble in this hilarious video:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbyLyJYnnnx/?taken-by=thatdadblog

We’re guessing now that he’s hit the “terrible twos,” it might be even more of a challenge than last year to get that shot!

Keep an eye on Lawrence’s Instagram and blog to see if the mischievous elf makes some more appearances in 2017.