The Leprechaun Trap

Let me tell you something about this girl.

She is not easily fooled or impressed.  She had just turned four when she started asking the "Santa" question.  "Is he really real, Mom, like REALLY?"  and "I know fairies are pretend but what about the tooth fairy?

So we were confused and a little surprised when she came home beyond excited about building a leprechaun trap for school.  Fully convinced she was going to catch herself a little green friend.

Warning from Leprechaun's Mom: Leprechauns Beware!

I have to say that before this assignment came home, I had every intention of ignoring St. Patrick's Day.  I know that some moms are super fun and get into these things.  Maybe I'm lazy. Maybe my priorities are just elsewhere but I just don't go big on the minor holidays.  Yet another thing my children can tell their therapist later.  No gold coins and leprechaun footprints.  What a sad life they have.

And yet, when all kindergarteners were supposed to bring in a leprechaun trap to catch a leprechaun over spring break. Darby was ON IT.

Fishing hook attached to a gold coin.  Very Humane.

The week before spring break was a busy one here, so I decided this would be a Daddy project.  And although my studious five year old was harassing us for weeks before it was due we pushed her off until 7:30 the night before.  One day our procrastination will rub off on her. Right? I'm mostly kidding.

After spring break things around the classroom had been moved, there were little footprints, and apparently the leprechauns had used the toilet because the water in that was green.  Our girl was disappointed and blamed herself for not setting the trap quite right. Sneaky leprechauns.  Maybe next year, kiddo. (But please first grade teachers, can we just wear green and call it a day?)

Daddy Daughter Date

Just sent Conor and a very excited five year old off on a fancy date.

 They're going to see Snow White performed by Ballet Austin.  It was a surprise to Darby, we just told her yesterday. :)
She was bouncing off the walls yesterday in anticipation, then this afternoon as we were getting ready, she got very serious.  And nervous.  And wanted everything to be perfect.  Just perfect for her special date with her very favorite person.

She's in dance right now, but I think she likes the idea of dance more than dance itself.  If we ask her if she likes it, she'll say, "Kind of.  I like dance, but you have to stand still a lot and I'm not really a standing still kind of girl."  HA. I love her.
Excited they could have this time.  Such fun and sweet memories for our favorite kindergartener.

Just a February Afternoon...

...jumping on the tramp and looking at bugs

 wearing a blanket as a dress because it's fancy

 and wearing a blanket so we can be like our big sister...

Hours of fun on this dangerous contraption.  Hours and hours and hours.

Can we just take a moment and acknowledge that it is February and we're in short sleeves and tank tops.  I'm not sure I'll ever get over it.

Happy Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine's Day here!  Full of absolutely zero crafting.  Bittersweet.  I'm learning a lot about cutting myself some slack lately but that's another post. :)

The day before, my friend Emily hosted a wonderful party for the preschool age neighborhood kids who weren't having parties at school.  Well, Kyler was having a party but he was home on Wednesday so he got to come. :)
You'll have to excuse the iphone photos but I had to take pictures of the table.  She's amazing and the kids looooved it.  I don't think Carson had a clue what was going on, except that it was a party and there was lots of candy involved. 
Important lesson of the day: It's okay that I'm terrible at giving my kids experiences like these.  Because I have amazing talented friends. ;)

 Those are marshmallows dipped in chocolate AND white chocolate/sprinkle dipped pretzels. Seriously. 

Yes.  Those are my boys with their hoods up.  I can't explain them.  I don't try to.

Darby and Kyler both had parties at school and all three kids came home on serious sugar highs. 

My sweet valentine woke up and made us french toast and brought me a HUGE triple-shot caramel macchiato (I must have seemed extra grumpy that morning.)  We spent the evening eating Chipotle and hanging out as a family.  Don't worry, Conor and I are going out on Saturday - I can't wait! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!