St. Paddy’s Day Magic

There is nothing better than being a mother on a Holiday --- even if it’s a seemingly insignificant Holiday, like St. Patrick’s Day.

There is such joy to be found in turning an ordinary day into something magical for your babies. 

Today I attended  the kid’s school for their annual Walk-a-thon fundraiser. The weather was perfect- a little overcast with a cool, steady breeze.  I loved watching the kids walk/run to the music being played over the loud speaker. My favorite part was cheering all of the kids on. “You can do it!”, “Great running!”, “Look at you go!!!” ….and the occasional pick-me-up speech to the kids who stopped in to tell me they couldn’t go any further. Those kids didn’t care that I wasn’t THEIR mother…all that mattered was that I was A mother. They knew that where a mom is to be found – so is comfort, encouragement, shoelace assistance, and a hug. 

Karah started out strong with great running – but by the end, blisters had formed from choosing the “wrong” pair of shoes to wear. She totaled 6 laps (1 1/2 miles). She was so proud.

I took her out for lunch immediately after. It was fun to skip out of school – get GOOD food – and just talk and laugh. One of my best friends, Anne, walked into the restaurant we were in. She didn’t see us.

I said, “I am gonna go pinch her butt and scare her!” Karah started chanting, “Not appropriate! Not appropriate!” Upon questioning her – she told me that we weren’t in an “appropriate place for me to pinch someone’s butt”.

I said, “There are going to be times when you have to keep me in line.”

She quickly answered, “Yeah…there are gonna be LOTS of those times…cuz you know you!”

We laughed and laughed. She is a smart, little girl. Witty, too.

After lunch it was Bradley’s turn for the  Walk-a-thon.  It was fun to see him from across the track – blowing me kisses and waving. When our eyes met, his walk instantly turned into a sprint. He struggled to pull up his jeans, every few steps, as they fell from his little hips. He had a few wipeouts, but picked himself up and continued on in his dream of beating his sister’s record of 6 laps. Each time he would get to my section of the track, he would run over – give me loves – and forge ahead while looking back at me over his shoulder. I melted. His hard work paid off and he ended up making 7 laps around the track!

After school, the kids made a Leprechaun trap. They offered him “Free Gold” – providing an entrance for him to walk through.

What the little Leprechaun didn’t know – was it was a DROP OFF….and he would be trapped under the table. Bryce double checked the trick loot.

The kids were extremely deliberate with their plan. The T’s were crossed….the I’s were dotted. That leprechaun was NOT getting away tonight!

St. Patty’s Dinner:

Leprechaun chicken wraps with green (blech) gravy.( This was as good as I could do. I am not a mom who can stomach green food coloring in eggs, potatoes, and everything else in the fridge. I compromised with the gravy. Baby steps.)

Shamrock trees and Gold Coins (Broccoli and yellow squash)

Leprechaun Yak (Pistachio Marshmallow Salad)

Leprechaun Water (Green Hawaiian Punch)

After dinner, the kids went downstairs to check the trap –and came up screaming that the tricky Leprechaun had gotten away….right after he turned our furniture upside down! The place had been ransacked!

He left them a taunting note….

In exchange for the gold coins he snatched, he left each of the kids a gift and some golden candy.

They thought it was a fair trade…though they are already planning their next trap for 2012.

It was the perfect day. Laundry didn’t get done…the To-DO list didn’t get any shorter…but it was time WELL spent…with the little ones who matter most.

I spent the remainder of the night …..

Breaking the rules.

Being their mother is all that I hoped it would be.