Leprechaun Traps 2011

We love St Patrick's Day here and while I put the baby to bed on St Patrick's Eve, Mick took over the Leprechaun trap duties. Hooray for Daddy! I will let him describe the traps as he tells me there are several "classes" of traps. I'm no engineer, so such a technical description is better left to the military officer in the house.

One last thing before I turn it over to Mick....Fabulous Great Aunts Mary Frances and Judy send us a box of fun holiday stuff for each holiday. I didn't bring many festive decorations (they're mostly in storage) and it's not like we have a Target here, so it's soooooooo nice to be treated by them! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

OK So there are several classes of traps. They basically fall into the trap door, mechanical, snare and sticky family of traps. One mandatory part is the "bling" since any "chaun" hunter worth their shamrocks knows that shiny materials are what makes the little ones come towards the traps. 

Leprechauns like shiny stuff and the above two traps were like trap doors and therefore part of the trap door family.

Audrey did this one. It was held delicately by thread and when they went up for the shiny stuff, it would break and trap them. This is more of a hybrid of trap and mechanical.

Olivia is here demonstrating a version of the mechanical. Please note how the target would climb the stacks for the bling on top and then fall into the tube because of the shiny materials at the bottom. Their greed is often their undoing. 

This was a trap waiting by the back door where we expected them to enter the home. We had a pickle wrapped in shiny silver, thus doubling our chances since 'chauns, of course, love green pickles inside a shiny container.

 Okay, my guest writer did a great job, I think! Thanks Mick!  

And then he totally outdid himself, by searching the bookcase and then reading "Twas the Night Before St Patrick's Day" to the girls. When you have a Daddy named Mick...St Patrick's Day is a FUN BIG DEAL!!!!

You can almost hear the Irish brogue when you look at this picture, can't you? ☺

Regretfully, we were thwarted yet again. No actual leprechauns in the morning, but they did leave money at each of the traps along with a note. 

Seamus and Patty....Thanks for the memories!!!