Happy St. Pat's Day or Why I Was Making a Potato Stamp at 10 p.m.

Last night, Darren and I settled into our chairs in the living room with our laptops so we could work side by side like we do almost every night. (I know, isn't it sweet? In an odd, dorky way.) I was working away when suddenly I remembered....CRUD. St. Patrick's Day. I've got nothing so far, and I'd better get to Walgreens.

I found the Lucky Charms cereal easily, but I could not find the gold-covered chocolate coins. I finally gave up and went to the register, resigned that I'd now have to drive to the much scarier Walgreens in search of the coins. But what did I see in front of me? A woman who looked like she'd just gotten off work...with bags of gold coins! I asked where she got them, and she directed me to the Easter aisle. Crisis averted. When I thanked her as she left she said, "Now I've got to go home and make tiny green pancakes so they'll be ready in the morning for my kids." It's a mother love thing, I guess.

I got home and did the necessary preparations for my kids.

"This place looks trashed," remarked Darren. "And make sure you don't touch the wireless connections." Who knew the naughty leprechaun was married to the Grinch?

I got to sleep around midnight, and of course the girls were up at 5:30 a.m. When they were finally allowed to go down to the kitchen...lo and behold, what did we find?


Looks like he got in through the patio door...


He knocked over our Swedish birds and the toaster and spilled out all the vitamins.


He threw papers and books and dumped out Lucy's backpack, finally leaving by the back door...


But he also left a trail of gold coins, Lucky Charms for breakfast (hey, how come our leprechaun didn't make us mini-green pancakes?), and green milk.

So, Happy St. Patrick's Day. May your day be filled with green treats, gold coins, strong black tea (w/ milk and sugar), and a clean kitchen (the leprechaun was considerate enough to leave the Swiffer out at our house. Or maybe I just forgot to put it away yesterday).

I am a huge fan of Irish music, so I'll leave you with the Irish song that makes me the happiest...