St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Here's a little limerick to get things started:

On St. Patrick's day people wear green.

Not to show that they're jealous or mean,

but that they are a sport

of the good and kind sort.

And to avoid getting pinched if they're seen.

I love St. Patrick's day. I always have. It's not a huge holiday, but there are still so many fun things you can do to make it an extra special day, and to help break up the monotony of regular day to day life.

We already watched Darby O'Gill and the Little People a few days ago, so I don't think we'll watch it again tonight. But it's a great movie! I highly suggest it if you've never seen it.

Yesterday we made a leprechaun trap. It's an improved model from last year's because we spent a little longer on it (meaning I remembered I wanted to do it more than 5 minutes before Emma's bedtime). I saw the idea for it online, and loved it. The leprechaun will climb the ladder to get the nugget of gold only to find the hat's top is only a thin piece of paper which he'll easily collapse, falling inside where he'll be trapped. The sign says: Do not climb the ladder! Since leprechauns are naturally mischievous and love ignoring rules, it will help encourage them to climb up. It seems to have worked. We caught a leprechaun, but he used his magic to escape (which, of course, he can only do if he leaves us some gold or something). Emma might be happier with her chocolate gold coins than a real leprechaun anyway!

Setting it up last night

The air was heavy with anticipation

This is what we found this morning.

This is what Emma started doing when we brought it inside.

I had to interrupt her chocolate eating so that she could have breakfast. She had some Lucky Charms cereal. This is actually the only time of year we buy it. We get it just for St. Patrick's Day. It seems appropriate.

Last night I made some rainbow cupcakes. They turned out great! Eric took most of them to work with him to give out, but I kept a few here for Emma to snack on. I told her this morning that I had a surprise for her, and she promptly asked me, "Is it the cupcakes?" I guess I was too noisy last night while I made them. Next time I'll wait until I know she's asleep.

Dinner was corned beef with cabbage and other vegetables. I am not a corned beef fan (and neither is Emma), but Eric likes it, so I made it for him. Emma and I ate some chicken along with some of the vegetables. For dessert I made some shamrock shakes. Mmmmm.

Emma really wanted to share her shake with Eric, hence the two straws. See below:

It has been a fun day (even though I'm Scottish, not Irish). I always love seeing these holidays through Emma's eyes. Her excitement is contagious.