Little Leprechans

Love these little Leprechauns of mine, and St. Patrick's Day!  It was an eventful day.  A couple of weeks before, the kids got their leprechaun traps ready, determined to catch one this year as they're getting so close in recent years!

Cal had a box with holes and greenery inside.  Emma made a zip line from her bed to a box with a "rug" on top and gold glitter which lead to a hole in a box underneath.  She left a note asking the leprechaun to stay the night.  The Leprechaun left a message on her note that said "Haven't ye heard what's been said?  It's the early bird who catches the worm!"  In the morning, the kids were delighted to find a tiny blanket and pillow, which they figured the leprechaun stayed the night but they didn't wake up early enough to see him.  There were gold dollars in there for the kids, so they were pretty excited about that, but said a leprechaun would've been better. So close again!  They also found a plate of gold oreos, they thought the leprechaun spray painted them and weren't sure if they should eat them, but figured leprechauns are magic and it would be okay.  They were all glad to have a nice leprechaun, not a mischief maker this year.

For breakfast, we had breakfast burritos, one of their favorites.  I made the eggs green which looked pretty gross, but everyone ate them and liked them!  ;)

Lucy & Cov went on a field trip to the local grocery store, which they thought was the coolest, they got tons of snacks, treats, and even a toy!  We also watched a little girl, Sophia, whose mom was having a baby, yay!  Emma and Cal said that they were a little dissapointed they did nothing at school to celebrate.  Bummer.

So the day time was pretty uneventful.  Since we got some snow and it was nothing but white outside, we went out and spray painted some snow with green food coloring.  Lucy and Cov got a kick out of it!  And the other kids thought it was funny when they got home.  We also had our gold oreos - regular oreos + Wilton food spray for snacks.

Silly Lucy.  During the afternoon, she had to go to the bathroom.  Soon I heard an excited yell: "Mom!  Guess what?  I have green poop, just for St. Patrick's Day!" I went in and she told me again, looking so proud!  LOL!

For dinner, we had chicken cordon bleu in green shamrock bread bowls, cucumber shamrocks and green punch and mint chocolate chip cake for dessert.  The kids (and Dave) were excited when I told them it was their lucky day and they were off the hook for after dinner chores and that I'd do it all!

Then we did a few activities.  We read some St. Patrick's Day books from the library.  We got some new leprechaun names.  Here's what our names all are:

Dave - Dublin O'Fortune, Mom - Mickey O'Flurry, Emma - Emmett Wishypants, Cal - Crusty O'Wee (but he didn't like that one so found his own favorite combination and went by Useless Green toes), Lucy - Lucky McKissyFace, Cov - Crusty Wishypants.

We then did a craft where we made leprechaun masks.  Cal wasn't feeling very well, he stayed home earlier in the week and still wasn't feeling well this night.  So he didn't want to do it or have anyone make one for him.  Emma was leading the pack, but decided that she would have a witch leprechaun hat.  And Lucy wanted to do that too, of course.  They had a fun time cutting and rolling and gluing and mostly laughing as each other put on their masks for the first time.

Then we Shillelagh dancing.  Each person got a turn with a stick we had to be their shillelagh, we turned on the gaelic music and let everyone take their turn dancing.  These guys are pretty hilarious!  And we're lucky no one lost anything while Cov was dancing with it.

I am so lucky, no not lucky, but blessed to have what I do!  I think of the Hymn "Count Your Many Blessings" (Hymn no. 241) a lot lately.  When we see the Lord's hand in our lives, we feel happier!  That's the best way to get luck in life!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

(Chorus)
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your blessings; See what God hath done.
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. (Chorus)

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. (Chorus)

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. (Chorus)