Angela Conklin said she got the idea from the internet to dress her son in a red onesie and white collar to mimic the Elf.

The tradition of Elf on the Shelf usually includes children discovering their “Scout Elf” in a new hiding spot each day. The popular trend has been shared widely online, with some elves even making huge messes while the children are asleep.

That’s not the case in the Conklin’s Pittsburgh home, where Conklin sets up a holiday-themed setting and snaps a picture — or three — of James playing with lights or eating a Christmas cookie. Other images show James playing “Connect 4” with the Conklin’s golden retriever, Bailey, or sitting in a large mug of fake hot cocoa.

“It’s a whole production to take a picture,” she said.

Courtesy photo James poses with his “tied-up” parents, Angela and Joshua, for a photo taken by his grandmother, Mary Jo Carmosino.

But she is not alone in her endeavor, as her mom, Mary Joe Carmosino, travels from her home in Cresson once a week to babysit James, as well as her other grandson, Nico, who is 2 years old.

Carmosino has been a huge help in the process, Conklin said, often lending her own Christmas decorations or buying props for the photos.

For her part, Carmosino said the photos are a fun way to spend time with her grandchildren and bring Christmas cheer.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun doing it,” Carmosino said. “He really is a happy kid.”

Conklin shares the photos on her Facebook page and said the reactions from family and friends has been overwhelmingly positive. She said she even received eager messages when she was a little late posting the photo one day.

Courtesy photo James sits in a cup of fake hot chocolate for one of the daily pictures to be shared by his mother.

“There have been so many people that say they look forward to it every day,” she said.

Carmosino emphasized the work her daughter, who is a school teacher, puts into the creation of the photos. The duo had originally planned on doing one photo a week, but quickly expanded it into an everyday practice.

Conklin said that when Carmosino visits, they will create different sets for James to pose in and take photos in advance to share throughout the week.

“It really is a commitment,” Carmosino said, “but it’s been really fun.”

Getting James to smile is not usually difficult, but sometimes Conklin has to wait for his father, Joshua, who never fails to make him smile. Anglea said the real-life “Elf on the Shelf” photos have been an exciting way for the family to get into the Christmas spirit.

The Conklins plan to spend Christmas with Carmosino at her home in Cresson, as well as visit Joshua’s family.

When Santa stops by, Anglea said James will find a Nugget Couch under the tree. The couch, similar to a sectional, can be rearranged into seating and forts for playtime.

While they’re not sure the live Elf photos will continue next year, Angela said she plans to compile the pictures into a book for memory-keeping.

“We’ll be sad when it’s over,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Linden Markley is at 814-946-7520.