Saint Patrick's Day

Short post today. I know it's not really one of our major holidays, but I thought it should get at least some sort of recognition in our blog.

Today, I taught the kids all about Saint Patrick's Day. Most of the kids had never heard of it, and I'm not sure if I really réussir-ed in getting the point of the holiday across to them (i.e., that there is no point, really, except for s'amuser-ing), but I still enjoyed telling them about leprechauns and shamrocks and pots of gold. I haven't celebrated Saint Patrick's Day in years (don't people stop pinching each other after, like, second grade, roughly?), but all day I kept thinking of the leprechaun trap I had to make in first grade, in which I cut a hole in the top of a shoebox and covered it with green confetti streamers and fake jewels. I'd forgotten all about it until today. It's funny how this job is making me relive so much of my own time in primaire.

One of the CM2 teachers I work with asked me if everyone in the US celebrates Saint Patrick's Day, or whether it's only the Irish-Americans. This is the same teacher who, back in November, asked me if it's only the people with Pilgrim ancestors who observe Thanksgiving. I told her that Saint Patrick's day is a holiday that everyone can participate in, no matter their origines, and she seemed just a little surprised. I don't want to get into another discussion about France and America and attitudes towards foreigners, but suffice it to say that I gained an even deeper appreciation today for America and the way we've integrated the traditions of our immigrants into our own culture. I guess we're pretty unique in that way, non?