Last year, Jack remembered that we never constructed a leprechaun trap and he was determined that this year we would ... and he had BIG plans for it. We set to work at the dining room table on the afternoon of the 16th, pulling supplies from my craft closet and making his vision a reality.
We used a simple brown box and wrapped it in GOLD wrapping paper and then added some green feathers and a few signs. We then attached a clear string of fishing lure to a fake gold coin so that when the "leprechaun grabbed the coin and tried to walk away with it, the string would pull the toilet paper roll out from under the box, trapping him inside." In the meantime, there were some Lucky Charms cereal, a mug of hot cocoa and a bed for him. Quite the accommodations.
We set it up in the kitchen before bed in anticipation of catching a real, live leprechaun.
The next morning, the boys were up bright and early to check their trap. No leprechaun, but he left behind some special things for the kids.
Little footprints all over the counter top, a note with some leprechaun rocks, some plastic gold coins ...
and some Rainbow Seeds (aka skittles).
And the best part? His "pants" got stuck under the trap when he slipped out and there was even a tuft of his hair lying there!
As for the leprechaun rocks -- the kids had to dissolve them in vinegar to get their prize! (This was a simple acid-base reaction between a green baking soda paste and vinegar, releasing lots of carbon dioxide).
They had no idea what was going to happen or what was inside, but they were certainly anxious to find out.
Lots of fizzing!
Lots of smiles!
Lots of stirring ... and then they found real coins hidden inside that they got to put in their piggy banks!
And when they got hungry for breakfast, I fixed our usual shamrock cinnamon rolls. Yum!
Jack already has new plans for NEXT year -- all I know is that we will be using the same Leprechaun Hotel and some sticky double-sided tape!
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