Dad turns baby into real, adorable Elf on the Shelf

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Santa's little helpers are everywhere this time of year.

One Utah dad, Alan Lawrence, who runs That Dad Blog, recently realized he has one in his home, too.

"Around the first week of December a random elf showed up in our family room," he says on his blog. He and his wife were going to call the police but decided they were probably overreacting, so they checked with their neighbors. They said it was normal for this time of year (through Christmas) and said the elf will watch the children at night and assist them with their mischief. They even called it "fun."

>> The most terrifying Elf on the Shelf ever

Since Lawrence feels anxiety without a camera, it was only natural that he document the elf's time in the house. (Because the elf is actually his son, he had no choice but to keep him around.)

What results is possibly the most adorable collection of Elf on the Shelf photos that has ever existed.