St. Patrick's Day!

A valuable lesson I have learned as a mother: NEVER do something on a Holiday that you don't wish to continue every year. St. Patrick's day used to consist of green pancakes or Lucky Charms for breakfast and wearing something green, and of course pinching anyone not wearing green. One fateful year in Michigan I saw a cute "leprechaun trap" in our Family Fun magazine so the kids made it with our friends, the Seedall's, kids. It was fun and the kids all had a great time. The pesky leprechauns didn't get caught in their trap but left some goodies behind. But little did I know what kind of Holiday loving monster Nora would become.

When Brian dropped the kids off at school he called and said Nora left her backpack so he was coming back to get it. Then he called again saying Nora had accidentally wore her tap shoes to school and was coming back home for some regular shoes. I laughed because I'm not so sure it was an accident or if she was trying to be more Irish by being an Irish step dancer or something. It's good we live so close to the school!

Note: green eyeshadow and nail polish

The other three kids were thrilled to have Lucky Charms for breakfast and I had to convince Miles to wear something green. Sophie wore a turquoise shirt and called it good (and Wesley was clueless). But Nora had her hair and outfit planned for a week, spent a few hours on the "trap" and made the leprechauns a pot of gold and a rainbow from her rainbow loom, left them some fools gold and wrote them a note. Luckily those leprechauns did stop by, took Nora's gold and left behind some candy.

Because Nora loves holidays so much I can't bear to break her little heart and not let her do these fun things, even if it gets a bit stressful for me sometimes. Luckily she is usually pleased with whatever we happen to do and most of her big ideas she is happy to do all on her own. Love these kiddos!

Sophie had a strings concert at the High School that night. The 4th - 12th graders played pretty much only Beatles songs and they had some High School boys dressed up like John, Paul, George and Ringo and sang for 3 or 4 songs. It was great! I love the Beatles. And although I could barely see the top of Sophie's ponytail it was still fun. Nora came with me and Brian stayed home with the boys.

My cute 5th grader.

Winter Survival.

We are so ready to be out playing in the yard, but it appears we'll have to wait a few more weeks (or so?) Here is how we are curbing the cabin fever (barely):

Playing lots of Rescue Bot Transformers

Wesley spends lots of time at the bathroom sink, usually with Buzz and Woody.

Drawing/coloring at the kitchen table.

 

Playing with snow on a cookie sheet.

Playing in the snow in the front or back yard.

Doing stunts.

Pulling faces.

 

Being Batman and Robin (or usually- Batman and Batman)

Lots of Play-doh. Nora and Wesley both love the play-doh.

Nora sewing.

Taking videos of the kids and then letting them watch themselves.

And singing with dad at the piano.

In Michigan I could count on being outside to play by St. Patrick's day, but that isn't looking very promising here this year. But honestly I would be happy with 40 degree weather! We still have giant snow banks and it's been in the 30's. Boo! Hurry Spring!!

St. Patty's Day

St. Patricks Day was 80 degrees here in Wisconsin!!! Crazy. But awesome. We went to the local parade that was pretty fun.

The kids in the car ready to go to the parade.

We had a great spot in the shade right across from the Capital. Wesley slept through most of the parade and was pretty happy eating a sucker after he woke up. Side note: kids at parades drive me bonkers. The crowding and running right in front of other kids and grabbing all the candy. Grrrr. I make sure my kids stay in our spot and don't take all the candy! If I were in charge I would have lines spray painted all along the parade route and everyone had to stay in their designated square or be kicked out :)

Some Irish step dancers.

Nora brought some of her lemonade stand money to buy some cotton candy.

Bag pipers

She even bought Miles his own stick (Sophie doesn't like it)

What parade is complete without an Elvis impersonator?

We had forgotten our packed lunch so we went back home to get it and then walked/roller skated to a nearby park. Well, kind of nearby. It ended up being a bit further away than Brian remembered it being.... about a mile and a half there. But we had a great time. I was on roller blades pushing the boys in the double jogging stroller and Nora was on roller skates and Brian and Sophie were walking with Scooter.
Sophie brought her fishing pole and lost the line out of it somewhere along the way (I hope no one stepped on it!) She was pretty upset for a while. Nora took a few spills on her skates and once was right in front of me on a small downhill part and I ran over her with the stroller. Oopsy Daisy. She was okay after a minute, and I felt really bad. Then I giggled and wished it had been recorded.

Here is Wesley on the "beach". Sadly, the lakes in Wisonsin are not nearly as beautiful and "beachy" as the lakes in Michigan. Oh, and there's my foot.

The water was SO cold! These two boys were there and they were making it a competition with Nora to see who could go out in the water the deepest and who could dip their body in the farthest. Nora proved she has a competitive streak in her and beat those boys good. She went out further than both of them and ended up going completely under the water. Which is saying something considering Brian and I had a competition to see who could stand in it the longest and I think we lasted 30 seconds. Brrrr!

On the way home Sophie said to me "Mom, everyone we pass is laughing at me. I think they can tell I lost my fishing line." I said, "Honey, have you seen Nora? Do you really think people are laughing at you? They think she's cute though, they aren't laughing to make fun of her."

It was a great day.