Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

     This week my daughter, Isabella, 's class has been studying Ireland in preparation for St. Patrick's Day. Each child had to create a leprechaun trap and set it up in the classroom for a science grade. Isabella got an "A" for her trap. Monday they will see if anyone's trap was successful in catching one of the little buggers. She has been coming home with new facts everyday on Ireland. "Mom you must be Irish because you like potatoes and people in Ireland like potatoes."

     The other night we were eating dinner and she asked us if she had any Irish ancestors. Well, just one look at me and you can tell that there is no doubt that there are plenty in my line. "My teacher says that a name like 'Smith' could mean that we are Irish." This comment caught me off guard, because Isabella is adopted from China. We forget that she is adopted. It just sounded so strange that this little Chinese girl was asking if she had any Irish ancestors. It was kind of startling to remember that my blood ancestors are not hers. My husband answered her, "Isabella, you're adopted so your ancestors are Chinese, but your mother has a lot of Irish in her family line." "Oh, I know I'm adopted, Dad, I guess that means that I am an adopted Irish person."

     I saw a St. Patrick's Day t-shirt at Target that read, "Irish for the day." Isabella's t-shirt should read, "Chosen to be Irish."