I avoided and elf on the Shelf disaster. This year the ex wasn't playing nice with the elf (not sharing it between houses, evidently it's hers now not my daughter's). I thought I was in the clear after a few days with no questions, then it came. " Dad when is my elf going to get here? Maybe she can't find your house?" Uh oh! Well after a quick trip to Target, I sat down and drafted an elf apology letter. It detailed the troubled journey complete with why she was late, the need for a second elf, and why she needed a name. Elf calamity averted! She is 7 and still believes and completely understood why she was late.