Get Your Green On

If I ask my kids to name their favorite holidays, the list consists of all of the major sugar-induced festivities: Christmas, Birthdays, Easter, Valen-times Day... They like the Fourth of July because of the fireworks and that is when they typically get to see their cousins, Emmy and Gracie. Other than that, if candy or gifts aren't a major component of the day, it's just another day.

This year, St Patrick's Day was tired of being overshadowed by all of those other holidays. Thanks to our Brown Eyed Girl's first grade teacher [dripping with sarcasm], she encouraged St Patrick's Day to step up his game.

I picked the kids up from school the day before St Patrick's Day and my Brown Eyed Girl was so worked up and excited about Leprechauns and making Leprechaun traps. We got home and she got right down to business. She asked me to get out the old chunky blocks from the storage room (the very blocks I was just about to send back to Iowa to our little cousins.) I was about to take a business call and was more than thrilled when Handy Man came strolling through the door.

Building a Leprechaun trap sounded like the perfect Daddy job if you ask me!

After my call was over, I was escorted to the basement to see the masterpiece they had created.

I present to you, a Leprechaun Trap.

My Brown Eyed Girl began explaining the trap and how it works.
Supposedly, the Leprechaun is supposed to come into our house the night before St Patrick's Day. Are you kidding me??? What is this Leprechaun business? I was warned all about the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa Clause in the Early Years chapters of the Parent Handbook. I do not recall a chapter or section about Leprechauns and Leprechaun Traps. 

My Brown Eyed Girl tells me this little Leprechaun character will enter the trap at night and if her trap works correctly, it will close like so and she will catch the sneaky Leprechaun.

I began frantically posting photos and sent out an SOS on Facebook. 

Lucky for me... I went to bed before any of my friends had a chance to fill me in on this trap business!!!

I dreamed nothing of Leprechauns.

At 5:20 am my lovely daughter sprinted into my bedroom super excited to check her trap. Oh Crap!

The trap... was exactly the same as it was left the night before. No Leprechaun. Two little frowny faces looked over at me for an explanation. I could NOT wait for parent-teacher conferences in four more hours. I had a bone to pick with that chick!

Improvisation is a mastered skill for all parents. I quickly looked over at Boji and asked him if he saw a Leprechaun last night. Our deaf dog licked his lips and I exclaimed, "Did you see that? I asked Boji if he saw the Leprechaun last night and he licked his lips. I think Boji ate the Leprechaun!!!"

"Boji, did you eat that Leprechaun?" More lip-licking. "See! I think Boji ate the Leprechaun!"

I was not positive they were very convinced or sold on the idea of Boji eating the Leprechaun. So, I quickly suggested we make special pancakes for St Patrick's Day. Special GREEN pancakes!

Upstairs we went, crisis diverted!

These cool GREEN pancakes were looking awesome. Even I was excited for St Patrick's Day!

Not as spectacular once they were cooked. 

While flipping pancakes, I finally checked my facebook. Oh-my-lanta! Some of my friends are super star, above and beyond, first place parents. Their Leprechaun suggestions were amazing. But... I am not sure I am ready to adopt one more nighttime persona.

I think I am sticking with the First Annual Green Pancake Party!

They hit the spot!