March 18, 2011

St. Patrick's Day

Lucas and I recently realized that we hadn't had a free weekend (no company, events, or travel) since mid-October. It's been a busy couple of months, and exhausted from all of the events, and the special things we had done to celebrate them, I told a friend "I am NOT celebrating St. Patrick's Day. I'm not doing anything special. I'm too exhausted." She replied "I don't think that's a bad thing. Do people celebrate St. Patrick's Day anyways?" In my head I thought "Activity Directors do." I should have known right then that we would do something.
Because not only am I an Activity Director to the core, but I have a rich Irish heritage of which I am very proud...and I always feel it more strongly near St. Patrick's Day. So when my mom told me she bought them special shirts, at first I was annoyed (We were NOT supposed to do anything special!), but then I was excited - a way to celebrate without me really having to DO anything.
And then, one morning, Ryan was clearly looking for something to do. When I asked him, it turned out he wanted to paint...and so we painted St. Patrick's Day decorations...


And then the twins got to put the decorations wherever they wanted. And THEN, as Lucas and I did our meal planning for the week, I decided it might be fun to make a traditional Irish meal. So I bought the supplies to make corned beef and colcannon (I was also going to have the twins help me make some shortbread cookies, but we ended up not having time so THAT was the thing I let go).
Who was I kidding? Of course we were going to celebrate!
Did I mention that Gigi also bought hats?
Cutest Leprechauns EVER!
Pretty soon Ryan (ALL boy) was playing with a big stick!
Then Allie borrowed it.
Then Ryan got it back and refused to take any pictures without it in his hands!
I can't help myself. The Activity Director in me is too strong. Holidays must be celebrated!
And the holiday Lucas celebrated? Only his favorite holiday of the entire year - Opening Day of March Madness! He chose to forgo the green and wore his NCAA basketball t-shirt instead. Teams have been chosen, brackets created (and posted on our wall to make keeping track easier), and now the games have started and our brackets are getting marked with wins and losses. Thank goodness this holiday spans a significant amount of time so I have a chance to celebrate both holidays on separate days!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course, one HAS to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, right? We went to Jeff and Tori's and Grandpa bought the kids each a St. Pat's shirt and Tori made some awesome corn beef--the best I ever ate and we talked Irish heritage and Micheal and David knew all about St. Patrick (many things I didn't know) from Awana's the night before. It was a good Irish day, just like yours!! Grandma

Anonymous said...

They are the two cutest Leprechauns , I have ever seen. I see Ryan didn't wear his strap on his hat so it would stay on tho. sounds like you had a very special day after all. Gigi

Kelsey said...

Oh my goodness are they cute, or what?? Love the shirts, and the hats!!! Green compliments them very nicely :) At least you were able to celebrate at home...it's nice once in a while! And yay for corned beef!! Lucas...you need to re-adjust your tastebuds!! It is amazing!! :)

Anonymous said...

Kim-

They are so big! Allie's hair is GREAT! Kudos to you for celebrating. March Madness may be crazy at your house, but at least it is shorter than the Long Island fishing season. ;)

Miss ya! Kim Moody

Anonymous said...

The Cutest Leprechauns EVER!!
Hugs from Nana

Kelsey said...

Colcannon?? OMG, if I would have been at your house for St. Patrick's Day, I would have ate Lucas' portion. I just clicked on your link for it! That sounds delightful...now that I KNOW I like cooked cabbage, outside of a Runza, that is! ;)