Wednesday, March 17, 2010


Despite having an extensive mixture of nationalities in our blood, Mom always made sure we were aware of our strong Irish background. St. Patrick's Day was of course the best day of the year to demonstrate our heritage proudly. I now know that the Irish dye their mashed potatoes a murky greenish-yellowish hue and they must wear green somewhere on their body every day, especially their holiday.
Also, above all else, the smell of cabbage is infused into their homes and selves because that's the only vegetable that will go with the corned beef staple for dinner. And shamrock shaped cut-out cookies are the only acceptable dessert. (I'm sure Guinness must be in there somewhere but mom hid that one pretty well.)
So now I continue to teach my kids our "Irish" traditions, though I've foregone dying the potatoes green. (though maybe that would get them to actually eat them) And I won't make any version of cabbage. But we did have corned beef, shamrock cut-outs, and shamrock shakes. So all in all, I think I'm doing a pretty good job of teaching my kids proper Irish history and tradition.
We made our first visit of the year to the nearby playground tonight. It's fantastic when the kids can run off and play with each other and with other kids that come by. My heart was warmed to hear Katie encouraging an older girl to play tag with them. I'm comfortable sitting on the bench, smiling at how wonderful it is for the noise to be so far away and I'm feeling very proud of my children when I hear him say it.
Dan. I was afraid of this. I heard it yesterday in our home and spoke to him about it but I knew it was only a matter of time before he started saying it in public.
Right in front of two lovely little kids and their mother, he said "Oh s---!"
Horror of playground horrors! I mean typically all we mothers have to deal with is making sure the kids share the swing or that they keep the wood chips on the ground. These are the understood sisterhood rules of the playground mommies.
But this. This is the big no no of proper playground etiquette and we breached it big time.
Well that's it. We had one good day at least. Time to start looking for another area to play at because word travels fast and now we'll be known as the family with "that kid that swears". Our reputation I've worked so hard at as "the family with three whole kids that never seem to fight and always leave without complaining" is shot. I'm so ashamed.
Despite Dan's desperate last ditch effort to cover up his mistake by saying he followed it up with the word "cow", he and I had a little talk. And though I'm responsible for him knowing this word, (he even used it in the right context) I think he's ready to let that be only a grown up word.
At least when I can hear him.

5 comments:

  1. Actually, the recipe I made tonight for Irish Stew called for a bottle of Guinness! Unfortunately all I had was German beer so I don't know if you can still call it Irish Stew--but it was good.

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  2. That's the one thing I can't be so sarcastic about. The Irish really do drink a lot of Guinness.

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  3. I did the Irish dinner last night also, minus the Guinness and the cut-outs but added the Irish soda bread with dried cranberries instead of raisins (I should have added orange zest like I did with scones I made last weekend, but I add orange to the corned beef and didn't want overkill). 1 1/2 of my boys ate it. Alec of course, devoured it, Andrew ate the corned beef potatoes, carrots and soda bread, but no cabbage. The 2 younger ones didn't go near it, but Evan was sick and didn't eat anything, so I can't count him. He might have some today.
    I think I remember Mom having to wash Tim's mouth out with soap at least once for his language - don't remember what he said (if I even knew), but he may remember.

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  4. I had left-overs...but I'm English!Believe me,I'm sure there are kids at the park(and maybe a parent or two!)that have said even worse.

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  5. I said something like the word used in christmas story. I dare not say it again because I might get some more ivory soap.

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