Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
One of the fun aspects of having kids is playing in to their big imaginations. I remember when I was in elementary school, the teachers plastered the halls with little green “footprints” on St. Patrick’s Day. I was old enough to know they weren’t real, but I couldn’t wait to replicate the experience at home for my younger brothers. Now, I wonder how hard my mom must have worked removing non-washable green paint from their bedposts and walls.
We had our corned beef yesterday, but at the last minute I decided it would be fun to treat my oldest son to some leprechaun mischief on St. Patrick’s Day morning.
Late last night I set up this scene in our bathroom. What can I say? Boys like potty humor.
The leprechaun went potty and then escaped, via a piece of twine through the window, out the back door. Fortunately Mr. Boy was so caught up in the excitement, he didn’t notice that the footprints only went one way. He did wonder why the leprechaun had gotten into paint.
I used Crayola washable kid’s paint, which I presume will wash off these surfaces later tonight. Dip the side of your curled hand into paint to form the foot, then use your thumb and fingers to make the toes. You can find lots of tutorials showing how to make leprechaun footprints online. Here’s one.
Some gold nuggets were left for breakfast (actually Corn Pops cereal with printable tags I found here). I also dyed a cup of milk green, but my son would have nothing to do with it.
There was also a scroll with a secret leprechaun message (my son is into languages and flags at the moment, so I thought he’d get a kick out of it). And the leprechaun had set up Pandora to blast Irish Traditional Radio. What a way to start a Monday!
My friend and reader Sophie mentioned that she was making my Cranberry Orange Soda Bread recipe this morning, and she inspired me to do the same. I took the baby out to the store to get the ingredients I needed, then whipped this up during naptime. Yum!
Speaking of the baby, today this little leprechaun is 10 months old! Can you believe it? And today I received some party supplies that I ordered for his first birthday. His party will involve some green, too. I can’t wait to share.
For good measure, here’s his big brother wearing the same sweater on his first St. Patrick’s Day in 2009. I think it was at least 30 degrees warmer outside that year.
Hope your St. Patrick’s Day is fun and festive, too.
This post made me miss my mother. She, like you, could make loads of fun for her children with taking the time and having the love to do it being the main ingredients, not money. It’s a gift you and she had. Your children are lucky.
Thank you so much. I’m happy to hear you had a fun childhood, too.
Adorable! Happy (late) St. Patrick’s Day!
Thanks! Right back at you!