Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I remember that as a child St. Patrick's Day was a big deal. One year my grandmother even dressed me as a leprechaun. I vividly remember running around the dining room in my glittery green costume setting the table.

There is also the tale of how our great great uncle was King of the Leprechauns. Of course, he used to nip into the spirits quite a bit, but that is what he claimed as he did his Irish jig around the room. =) Therefore as children my sister and I used to claim we had leprechaun blood. =)

I tried to share the tale with my girls this year. Shaely promptly got on the phone and called Mama to find out if I was telling the truth. =) Of course she was already leery of the concept of leprechans due to the fact her preschool teacher had told them how last year a leprechaun had used the bathroom and forgot to flush (think green water!). =0) They had been making leprechaun traps in school this past week. The other night at 2:00 in the morning Shaely calls to us that she has to got to the bathroom and keeps asking if it is St. Patty's Day. We keep telling her to go to the bathroom, but she won't. Finally Brian goes in and we realize that she is scared that there may be a leprechaun in the bathroom. It was hilarious, but not really at 2:00am. Hence the next morning I talked about how magical leprechauns are and how they tend to visit school, not houses. I also told them how their great great great uncle was king of the leprechauns, which of course then sparked the aforementioned phonecall to Mama. =)

So, although it doesn't hold the same magnitude of importance as it did as a child, I love St. Patty's Day. The thought of leprechauns, wearing green and magic makes me smile.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Life's A Bowl of Lucky Charms

This morning my husband woke me up by bringing me a cup of coffee. I heard him put it on the nightstand and then begin his shaving preparation. I just wasn't ready to open my eyes yet.

I knew that I needed to open my eyes, but I was still caught in the state of semi-wakefulness. My eyes began to open and close rapidly like the flutter of a hummingbird wings. As I am having rapid fire eyesight, I hear the pitter patter of little feet coming down the hallway- in walks Shaely with a bowl of Lucky Charms in her hands (sans milk so she can sit with it on the couch and watch Mickey Mouse). She proceeds to chat away to my husband as he shaves.

By this point I am fully awake and watching her. It is amazing that she can be this alert and animated at this time in the morning. Suddenly my husband stops his shaving and realizes that she has cereal. When asked where she got it, Shaely states that she got it herself. I sleepily inform Brian that she pours her own cereal (without milk) all the time. She is getting to be a big girl! Shaely grins at him and leaves the room. Shaely's footsteps echo down the hallway as she heads out to watch TV. For such a little thing, she sure can make a lot of noise.

Now Brinly enters with brush and ponytail holder in hand. I still do not understand why my child insists on wearing her hair in a ponytail everyday. This has become a daily ritual. I sit up and take a sip of coffee and then brush her beautiful honey brown hair into a high pony placed firmly in the middle of her flat spot.

Once again the pitter patter of little feet can be heard coming down the hallway. Shaely comes in, once again with a bowl in her hands. This time she hands the bowl to me and with a huge grin spread across her face says, "Mommy, I made you breakfast in bed. But.... I left out the milk so you don't spill it in bed."

This morning my life is a bowl of Lucky Charms. Aren't I lucky? I think so!

Pure Joy

She was so sad that she didn't get to go see the new Alice in Wonderland movie.

My littlest daughter was jumping up and down in anticipation. My two girls and husband had been talking about the Alice in Wonderland release for weeks! Although I had extreme doubts about the appropriateness for either girl, I was willing to give it a go. As the time grew closer, I told my hubby that our littlest shouldn't go. He agreed, but she really wanted to go so we were going to give in.

As we prepared to leave for the theater, the nagging sensation in my gut grew. I knew that this wasn't a wise move. Looking at my husband I saw the doubt in his eyes as well. I decided to look it up online. There are numerous sites that specify the recommended ages for movies. Although rated PG, the movie was recommended for 11+ by many people. There were a few 7, 8, 10s, but for the most part it was geared toward older children. Brian said he thought that our 8 year old would be fine, but the youngest...

Looking at Shaely, I told her that this movie was too scary for her. I waited with abated breathe for the tantrum to ensue. Nothing... she just crumpled to the ground. My husband picked her up and she proceed to cry. I felt awful. Finally I bribed her- my husband suggested she and I go to frozen yogurt and she was sold. So as Brian and Brinly left, we got in the car and headed out for our mini yogurt date.

We had a fabulous time! We talked and giggled. We went to the nearby Little Gym and got information to sign her up for gymnastics with her friend. Then on the way home she said she wanted to go to the park so WE DID! We ran around and played. I haven't played like that with her in so long. It was uplifting. The pure joy on her face as she raced over the play structure and catapulted herself down the slide reminded me of all the fun I had as a child playing outdoors. She was content and happy. She didn't see the movie. She didn't have a little friend playing with her. Guess what? She could have cared less. She was playing with her mom and she was happy.

What started out as a sad morning turned into a good day. I truly am blessed.

Remembering

As the house trembles to the rumbling of the thunder I remember how as I child I would sit huddled under grandma's aftgan and count the seconds until the lightening would flash and light up the window. I would be warm in my little self-imposed cocoon and feel safe and loved. Outside the violent storm would fill the landscape, but I just felt the excitement of it all.

My eldest daughter's eyes grew wide with astonishment when I told her to hold very still during the storm.

"If you hold very still, you may feel the house move when the storm thunders."

She thought this was hilarious and a bit daunting.

"Just listen."

At the next sound of thunder she shakes her body. Maybe she is too young to appreciate the magnitude and wonder of a thunder storm...

Rites of Passage

Life is full of rites of passage. Your first date. Your first job interview. Your admission to college. Just to name a few.... =)

Today my daughter experienced one of her first rites of passage- her Kindergarten registration. She answered questions/performed tasks that will help establish her place in her academic career. I was so excited for her. She smiled, answered and charmed her way through the intricate performance assessing maze. She emerged from her first academic quest with a smile that radiated from her little angelic face. I was so proud.

In reality this feat will have little impact on her life as a whole. Yet, a rite of passage was completed today without the accolades that it heralded. So, here I am, a proud mother, and I want to shout to the heavens that I am soooooo proud of my little girl and I look forward to the many other rites that she will embark upon in her marvelous life.