The Eating of the Green

Unless fun days like St. Patrick’s Day fall on a Saturday or Sunday, it’s really hard to go all out - or even a little out. After teaching all day (and in elementary school already being up to the eyeballs in all things green) coming home with grubby kids and trying to be festive is a challenge. We managed to pull off some greenness though and it was fun.

Since March marks Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Anna had been Sam-I-Am-ing all over the place for a couple of weeks so we put it to good use. Breakfast for dinner is always a fave so we gave the meal a dosing of verdigris. Green eggs (no ham - gross) green pancakes and green milk rounded out by honeydew and green apples. We did NOT try to make the sausage green. It had green on the package - good enough. Mom also set the table with shamrock cups, pots filled with gold and little shamrocks oragami-d from dollar bills (unwittingly creating a possible precedent establishing St. Pat’s as a money giving holiday). Oh well.

As the girls get older, we’ll start bringing a little more to the table, so to speak, in terms of Irish fact, legend and lore. We’ve got leprechauns, tricky wishes, gold and banshees pretty well down and introduced pookahs (thank you Darby O’Gill and Harvey) so we’re off to a good start. We have to get a few steps ahead first.

For all things St. Patrick’s Day check this out: St. Patrick's Day

Wearing Their Hearts on Their Sleeves

Cute outfits from Granny and Grandpa made it necessary to have a Valentine’s photo session.

Our sweethearts for sure!

Pinocchio

With the re-release of Pinocchio came the time to have Anna join us at the El Capitan for a big screen movie experience. It’s fun to have one on one time with the girls but it’s always nice to have the family together.
Anna was extremely excited to have her own popcorn and drink (her first movie experience, though unique, involved no snacks). She couldn’t wait to watch Pinocch-i-no with us and was so enthusiastic, she thanked us for bringing her even before the movie began. The award winning organist was playing for the audience prior to the show and the girls decided to take turns guessing the tunes as they heard them. As the prelude came to an end, the organ platform - performer and all - was lowered into the stage and Anna asked Daddy quite seriously, “Why is that man melting in the the floor?” She accepted the answer but didn’t look too sure. Once the movie began, she was riveted to her seat until the end when she applauded frantically and thanked us again, on the spot. What a treat to see this masterpiece on the big screen!

After the film, Hallie, being the seasoned veteran around the place, took her young charge by the hand and led her to the next stop. The Soda Fountain and Studio Store. We enjoyed a yummy lunch (for which we didn't have to wait terribly long) and savored the specially designed Pinocchio themed dessert - a Monstro Sundae. No drama outside on the boulevard this day - though plenty of celebrity impersonators for the asking. It was such a lovely thing for us to share as a family and we are very much looking forward to the next film release!

So Grown Up

Before heading back to school, Daddy and Hallie got the chance for one last hurrah for this year’s holiday season. One of the local Junior Girl Scout Troops was sponsoring a Father-Daughter Dance and had invited the Brownies to attend. Dad and Hallie were both very excited and very adorable. Dressed in their finest, they posed for Mom’s camera before heading to the Elks lodge for the dance (could it be 1955 or what?) It was very sweet that Dad was worried he might forget the picture package money but he patted his coat pocket a couple times for reassurance.

Hallie met up with her good friends Madison and Emily and they had a fabulous, silly, girly time. Other than being a bit pouty over not winning a door prize, Hallie was all giggles, crazy dancing and smiles. Her review of the food and music was favorable as well. (Mom got more out of her than Dad - shocker) For sure it was an evening well spent since, in addition, Mommy and Anna danced at home because she “can’t be a Brownie until next time.” And, Dad and Hallie said they’d love to do it again. So they went to a dinner-dance and all Mom ‘got was this_______ (insert t-shirt slogan of your choice) key chain’. The best key chain ever....It looks like this.

Happy New Year!

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