Irish Princess

We have been spending the first part of our spring break visiting grandparents in Dubuque and Elkader. I took the kids and left Bret to deal with our dilapidated heating system (have fun honey!). Tonight we had a St. Patrick's Day parade in Elkader and the kids got so much candy that I will need to edit it as soon as I remember. After the coldest parade ever, we met John and Janet at Gunder home of the Irish Shanty. Now, we were not there for their famous "gunder burgers" but for their Irish night. They have singing and serve corned beef and cabbage and soda bread. The owner knows Mark and Brenda well and greeted us with several sweet Irish welcomes. The kids were enjoying thierselves eating thier food but then they heard the singing. There was a barbershop quartet which fascinated Lars and Ella. We watched and they clapped. As we were preparing to go, the quartet told Ella and Lars they had to stay for one more and they proceeded to sing "This Little Light of Mine" to them. They also gave Ella a corwn that said "Irish Princess". I do not think Lars blinked during the performance and mid you it was right in front of us- 1 foot away. It was truely amazing and they were very taken with my beautiful sweet dear boy. His eyes and clapping were so sweet and sincere, I was a little teary too. In the car on her way home, she told everyone this was the favorite part of her whole day! Mine too Ella.

If you look close here you can see the eagle in the tree. We were on the Mississippi and there were about 5 eagles in the tree at one point! We watched them eat fish!