St. Patty's Fun

Such a random holiday which I have never gotten into except for wearing green. But my good hubby thought he might like to spice things up a bit this year. His mom used to do cute things for her kids on St. Patrick's Day like leaving green footprints around the house, making green food, and allowing leprechauns to play mild pranks and leave treats for the kids. So, Joseph took the initiative and livened up our day.

The kids woke up to find treasure hunt clues hidden all over the house and even some outside. They were so surprised to happen upon a random clue while eating breakfast and called out to us right away that a leprechaun had paid us a visit! Don't know how I feel about the whole make believe leprechaun idea but my kids just assumed that's who left them all the clues. I may have hinted that it could have just been Joseph and me, but either way they were so excited and loved following the clues and searching all around. The hunt was, of course, a Pinterest find and so easy to print and cut out the night before.

 

We also had green eggs and ham (sausage) for breakfast except for Olivia who loves eggs but would not for the life of her eat the green version. Joseph even tricked her into closing her eyes and letting him put some in her mouth but as soon as they touched her tongue she still spit them right out—she was so determined to hate them!

Of course we had to wear green in honor of the Irish, and then run a long errand to get this mommy her slightly early birthday gift—a new iPhone. Hooray! It helps to have been a loyal AT&T costumer for the past several years because I qualified for a free phone upgrade and only had to pay $100 for my phone—felt like I was getting away with something.

Now, my goal is to use the ever amazing iPhone to grab impromptu pics and movies, send much more efficient texts, and entertain my kids when we are waiting at the doctor's office or on road trips and such. But, I do not want my phone to become something that saps up all my free time and keeps me checking emails and Facebook and Pinterest as soon as there are updates—a reason I have been reluctant to get an iPhone in the first place. It's definitely in my nature to want to use it all the time but I am really trying to be a more present mom who doesn't need the internet around nonstop. There's plenty of time for me to browse/email/post/pin on my laptop when my babes are all tucked away in bed at night or the little ones are napping during the day. Ever since we got the iPad I have really had to start limiting my kids' screen time. They have all but given up TV time so they can play on the iPad instead. I better follow my own rules and make sure I am setting a good example!