LAVALETTE, WV (NBC News) — It’s that time of year when many kids wake up to find out where their “Elf on a Shelf” is, and what it’s been up to overnight.

For the kids at Lavalette Elementary, they found a life-sized Elf on a Shelf perched on top of their school.

The bearded man, Shawn Adkins, was wearing the traditional elf uniform or red and white, and he said he’s been planning it for about a year now.

Despite it being cold up on the roof, the man said it was all worth it to see the kids’ faces.

“Big smiles. Most of them.. 95% of the kids were all smiles when they saw me on the roof. (covered) When I saw their jaws drop from the road as they were pulling down to get out of their cars,” said Adkins.