Happiness is:

• A beautiful, sunny, spring-like day.
• A fun, festive holiday to celebrate.
• Having Rose's hair brushed and braided and looking nice.
• Getting floors in the house swept and mopped.
• Getting a load of laundry washed and dried.
• Shamrock window cling-ons.
• Venturing out today, with all four kids, to watch Rose dance at six different shows.
• Dear friends to lend a helping hand.
• A 'good' baby that slept most of the day in the sling.
• The excitement of being with others to celebrate with Irish music, dancing, and all things green.
• Watching my sweet Rose dance her heart out. She did so well. She was so cute, and did her steps so well.
• Hearing Rose say her favorite show to dance at was the nursing home, and remembering how she visited so kindly with the residents after dancing.
• Watching Rose bounce to the music, while clapping her hands, while watching the older kids dance.
• Having Sam almost cry when Rose left with a friend this morning to go dance, and then saying her name over and over, and pointing to her when we caught up with them at the next show.
• Having Dominic be so attentive during the shows, and overall, doing quite well at listening to me while we were out today.
• Free lunch at the UD show.
• Letting my kids go in the bouncy house, after the college students.
• Rose remarking today "I'm just so happy."
• Seeing Rose waiting on stage with the other beginner dancers, and standing still, feet crossed, just as she's supposed to be waiting.
• Being able to leave Rose with friends at a show, while I went to the van to change Sam's wet pants.
• Taking the kids to the park while waiting to go to the next show, and seeing them have a wonderful time expending stored-up energy.
• Having something green to put on Blaise, other than camo, like the other boys.
• A wonderful husband who got dinner started because Rose so desperately wanted to dance that last show.
• A tall coffee Frappachino from Starbucks- a rare, yet much needed treat.
• Opening the door and smelling corned beef cooking.
• The smell of sauteed cabbage and onions.
• Lots of butter and dill on red potatoes.
• Green milk.
• Well deserved computer time for two children; a sleeping baby; and a helpful-not troublesome- two year old = easy dinner preparation.
• A joyful, delicious meal.
• Putting a dent, even if only a small one, in the mound of dishes left to be done.
• A sweet baby that would sit in the bouncy seat for more than two minutes.
• Seeing all the children love on Blaise, as if they hadn't been with him all day!
• Seeing Blaise smile.
• Irish music...that I forgot to bring with me today.
• Thin mints.
• The Quiet Man.
• A sleeping baby.
• praying to St. Patrick on his feast day.
• the joy of celebrating such a feast with friends and family...all day long.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!