We almost had him.

The trap was set, perfectly balanced with a skewer, and notes that read "Dear Leprechaun, push stick backwards so dog doesn't get you." A plan that took hours to devise, scheming behind closed doors, the art room off limits to two-year-olds who could ruin their perfect plan. A homemade doughnut dipped in green glaze was the perfect lure, they just knew it.

And then, imagine my surprise, at 10:16 p.m.  March 16th, as I am minding my own business curled up in my fluffy robe reading the pasta chapter of my new cookbook, when I hear a loud crash in the kitchen. Yes, he left gold, and yes, he left blue gummy whales for my allergic child, but no, we didn't get him. And we were so so close. We know we were so close because his little leprechaun vest was caught in the trap.  He must have had to wriggle out of it to get free.

More surprises! My kids came in at 10:19 p.m. March 16th because they were all in knots with excitement and had apparently been checking the trap every few minutes. And so life goes, most of the fun of St. Patrick's day 2011 is already over. Although I'm pretty sure no one else is bringing a real life leprechaun vest for show-and-tell.

Halloween

Such cute kids. The best part is their chubby cheeks sticking out under the masks. And how 'bout that sacked out Robin? Actually, she was sick most of the day and cried a lot...

Meeting up with neighborhood kids to trick or treat; Bryan in his Clark Kent costume.

Visiting Great-Grandma

A few local superheros: Batman L, Batman Ryan M., SleepingBag Man Jeff, Batman Garrett.

After trick-or-treating party (thanks Lisa!!); G and I reading Lonesome Dove in between trick or treaters.

4th of July

Getting all decked out for the parade.Liam making sure he loaded up on candy, even going so far as to yell at the floats, "fro me some! I NEED it!!"

Milli and Kella on the float in the parade. (Milli declared this part as a dream come true.)

Liam playing with sparklers.

What, you're sick of hearing about New York?

Ok, I have lots more New York stuff to post, but I figured I'd take a break to blog Halloween. The kids had a great time, but both have colds, so they started to ask to come home after about 45 minutes. They were so cute. What a magical holiday for kids....all that candy. M and Kella chose to be cheerleaders this year, and L, Nemo. The problem is that he thinks his Nemo costume is a jacket and wants to wear it every day, as a jacket. "Not this jacket! Nemo jacket!!"