Mark Koopmans is hosting a St. Patrick's Day blog hop, and the challenge is to do a Paddy's day themed post on your favorite/best Green Day story.
I thought I'd share our favorite family tradition.
You see, in our house we love leprechauns, but we'd love their gold even more. So for the past several years, we've labored lovingly over intricate traps to catch the sneaky little green men.
We have yet to actually bag one, but they at least appreciate the effort, and leave behind a little treat.
This year we did three traps. My daughter (6) used recyclables with a fake floor, so that when the leprechaun climbed in for the treasure, he would plummet (softly) to the bottom. She had big plans for indoor plumbing, soft lights and air conditioning, but alas, I'm not mechanically (or handy man) inclined. Still, it was fun to build.
My son (4) is a Lego-maniac, and built this nifty trap, where 'fake' gold hangs from the ladder. Once the leprechaun pulls on the glittery piece, the ladder will come crashing down, trapping him inside.
Together, the three of us built a Lego home, with a box of glittery gems, hidden under a cage that will fall when disturbed, the rigging 'carefully' hidden by a rainbow on the nearby building.
The kids set their traps last night, after leaving a shoe on the front step, and went to bed with rising anticipation.
In the morning, the traps were all triggered, but once again, he got away, leaving a trail of glittery gold wherever he had walked. He did leave behind some chocolate coins, and a quarter in each shoe. There are already plans being drafted by the wee ones for next years trap.
That leprechaun had better watch out, these kids are getting craftier...
To finish up our green day, we will have a green dinner, complete with green chicken (basil pesto), green spaghetti (the spinach kind), cooked broccoli, limeade and green jello salad. Yum!
Got to love St. Pat's day!
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That's awesome! What a fun story, I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSounds great! I don't know how the wee little escaped those traps.
ReplyDeleteI know. Much to my children's consternation, those leprechauns are tricky little things...
DeleteThis is so stinkin' COOL! I love leprechaun traps. They are too much fun. I wish I would have done something like this with my kids this year. They would have loved it. :) Yours are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThank you - and they have the added benefit of being fun to make.
DeleteHappy belated St. Patrick's day and nice to meet you :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too - thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHey Mandi,
ReplyDeleteWow, those traps were awesome and what a FUN tradition... I think we'll have to try that one with our three boys next year :)
Believe it or not, I don't remember doing Leprechaun traps growing up in Dublin... that's sad!!
Oh Mark, you're boys will love them - they are such a good family time activity. And the excitement in their eyes on St. Pat's morning. It's almost as good as Christmas - almost.
DeleteOne year the leprechaun was so upset at his capture attempt he turned their breakfast milk green. They still laugh about that one. In fact, I think they were a little disappointed this year when the same thing didn't happen!
Great traps! What a fun tradition. We will definitely have to try this on out next year. We have such a long wait :(
ReplyDeleteI know, I hate seeing good ideas immediately after they're no longer needed. But the year goes by quickly. Too quickly sometimes.
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