Last night at dinner, Annabel interrupted us out of nowhere to say, “Mom! I believe in magic!” Her timing for this statement could not have been better: as you probably know, today is St. Patrick’s Day, and I’ve been planning some magic for her and her brother.

I’ve loved St. Patrick’s Day since I was a kid and my Grandma made a big deal out of it. It’s been so fun for me to carry on the traditions my Gram started. Just like in years past, our Leprechaun is bringing the kids shoes (plus green shirts and some other trinkets I…I mean he, couldn’t resist).

Leprechaun loot

This year, however, is bringing a twist. A new person is coming to stay…Sean the Leprechaun. He’s left a note letting the kids know that he’s moved in:

Sean's note

Sean’s house is hidden in plain sight at the base of this double-trunked palm tree:

Sean's tree

It looks completely normal, but when you get closer you realize it’s anything but.

Sean's House

Sean has a nice pathway up to his house, lined with fine pebbles and bushes:

Leprechaun House

He has a lovely chair to relax in when he wants to sun his tiny leprechaun bones:

Leprechaun House

And of course, he has a mailbox to help him correspond with his friends back in the old country.

Leprechaun House

I’m so excited for the kids to discover it tomorrow. I can’t wait to see Annabel’s face when she hears a Leprechaun is living in our yard. I know it’s going to make her imagination run wild.

I was inspired to do this by my friend Dana, who put a similar door in her yard for her sons to find. As soon as I heard about it, I immediately bought a door of my own (I got mine from this etsy shop). As Dana said, we only have so much time for our kids to believe magic and all of this fun stuff. Annabel wants to believe (and James wants to do whatever Annabel is doing), so I’m going to do everything I can to give them these little magic moments.

Have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day!