St. Patrick's Day!

Around here we don't just wear green on St. Patrick's Day to avoid getting pinched... Oh, no... we have a tradition. Have you ever heard of the Legend of the Leprechaun? I honestly don't even remember where I found the story... but the legend is that if you decorate a box of some sort in all things green and leave it in the moonlight for the leprechauns to find then one will come and fill it with "treasures". However, he always hides his treasures to the best of his ability... He's tricky, but no matter how hard he tries he always leaves a trail of green. Sammy was so concerned that her sisters were going to miss out on the fun in the morning since she leaves for school before they even get up. So she left a note for the leprechaun asking to leave clues for Katie and Ashley, too. This is what she found in the morning: There was green yarn attached to her door nob that she had to follow to find her treasures, but it wasn't easy. It was ALL over the house! Literally!!! It went from her bedroom, to the bathroom, to the guest room, downstairs to the living room, through the dining/kitchen/half bathroom, to the family room, and back upstairs to Ashley and Katie's room.

Along the way she found the treasure meant for her. It was a cup with green polka dots filled with stickers, silly bands, and candy. She also got a few new cute green shirts. Ashley and Katie got the same things, just slightly different to tell them apart.

After our fun on the treasure hunt we had some friends come over for a holiday craft. As they came in we sent them on the treasure hunt as well for a bag of Lucky Charms with a note attached that said, "I'm so LUCKY to have you". They thought it was pretty great. They each "helped" make leprechaun beards made out of pipe cleaners and orange yarn and then colored a few pictures of leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold! We had a great time and we hope that we can continue this fun tradition.

And of course I had to put a picture in of my darling girls in their matching shirts!

She did what?!!!

This has taken me some time to post because I needed a time out. About a week and a half ago the girls (Ashley, Katie, and Gracie) were being great. They were all so obedient, playing well together, and we were even doing a few activities. They had been by my side most of the day and I told them to quickly clean up the bedroom and we would play with the new preschool CD ROM. I walked into my room, put away some laundry, and within about five minutes Ashley came running in saying, "Mom! Katie cut her hair!" I GASPED and said, "What?!!!" Ashley then quickly added, "Only a little bit, Mom." I found her downstairs with a pair of kid scissors (I have no idea where she found them) and had cut a big chunk. All of my parenting classes flew out the window! I said, "This is not a little bit!!!" Seconds later my friend, Sarah, came over and asked what was going on. I told Katie to turn around and Sarah gasped and said, "Yeah, that's noticeable."Her hair was down to her waist and this is how much she cut (notice the hair in her hand). I realize it could be much worse... but it was SO long... and I loved her hair! Of course it was the one day Andy happened to take my car to work. So I was very glad Sarah was there... and I'm sure Katie was, too.
Sarah drove us over to our friend's house (she has a salon) and she fixed it. I think I might go back and have her cut it a little shorter in the back so I don't constantly see the big chunk (you can't tell unless you saw it before).

This was the after picture.

Sarah mentioned to Amanda that she thought she saved Katie's life since she showed up right after it happened. And if I had caught her with the first snip it would've been just a trim... but it was a little snip... then a little more... and then another big snip! I still love my baby, but it sure took some time to get over it and be able to snuggle with her again. In fact the other day I was talking to someone about it and she was listening and said, "Yeah, but you still love me, mom."