It's been a busy few days -- taking care of a not-so-well boy and working on an intelligence analysis for graduate school. I did want to pop in to share some pictures from our Saint Patrick's day, as promised.
Coe Polk attends a special needs class a couple times a week, so I e-mailed the teacher and asked if I could do a little something for these sweet children. The Leprechaun, also known as Mommy, was busy delivering treats to Coe Polk's classroom while the children were outside to play. I've been preparing Coe Polk for a few weeks now, teaching him about Saint Patrick's Day and all it entails.
I first gathered Hershey's Nuggets (pictured above) and these yummy, little butter cream-filled kisses.

I then purchased some green and gold beaded necklaces from Target.

While sugary treats are always a favorite, I wanted to also include a little something that was educational. I found these sets of beads and laces at the dollar store and couldn't pass them up. They are wonderful to teach colors, shapes, patterns, and fine motor skills -- all for a mere $1.00 per pack!

I pulled out my gift certificate from Christmas and went to World Market on our recent trip to South Carolina. While there, I found and purchased packs of Haribo gummy bears and chocolate gold coins, along with foam shamrocks from Michael's Arts & Crafts stores.

I trailed the packs of candies, shamrocks, and coins from the front door of the classroom to the back door, which leads to the supply room. This was the path the leprechaun took though their room, or so we told the little ones.

I tucked the gifts in hiding places around the classroom, such as the art board above.

And on the puppet theater...

And in the dump trucks...

The children came in the room, and found the loot. I came from the supply room with my camera under the guise of trying to catch the leprechaun and get a picture of him. Coe Polk really believed his teacher called me back to the school for that very purpose. Perhaps that's a sign I take way too many pictures of everything we see? (Please excuse the blurred faces, but I wanted to respect the privacy of the children.)
This sweet girl was scooping up the treats as fast as her little hands could move. The expression on her face was priceless.
And the one word to describe the expression on this sweet boy's face was -- wonder!
My heart melted when this boy came to me to ask if I would take his picture with his treats -- he was oh-so-proud of himself.

When we returned from class, the Mommy Leprechaun had left treats all over the porch at his G.G. and P.Paw's house. We even spotted that little, green man running through the woods a few times on the way. Such innocently-beautiful gullibility!

"Take a picture, Mama!" -- Coe Polk insisted.

Sporting his new boots...

And going for more...
With hands full of treats...

He jumped up to share and sit with his P.Paw!

And P.Paw shared with him...
What a lovely, beautiful, magical, and lucky life we live! Being the mother of Coe Polk on days like these, makes me realize I truly am the lucky one.

P.S. Mothers: do remember to take out your leprechaun paraphernalia prior to going to the store the next day to pay for your groceries. It is quite difficult to conceal from your 3-year old while attempting to not look completely crazy in front of the cashiers.