Monday, April 30, 2012

Lucky Lilacs

Ahhh, the grand old Nielson Family tradition of Lucky
Lilacs.  Is there anything funner when you're a kid?


Are you NOT SURE what a Lucky Lilac is?


Does YOUR FAMILY not celebrate this wonderful 
tradition?


Well, you're missing out.  


Lucky Lilacs is celebrated in Spring.
(usually in May--we had
a very mild winter making the lilacs "ready"
earlier this year.)


First, one must FIND a "lucky lilac".


A "lucky lilac" is a flower that has got
ODD numbered petals, 3 or 5 is a good
number, no 4 petal flowers are allowed
and no "cheater" bushes are allowed
either.  (french lilac with MULTIPLE
petals.)


Second, one must present the "lucky
lilac" to the person with the "magic
glasses", in this case it would be
Grandma Regular--she then mummbles
some gibberish and magic words and a
"higgledy piggledy" or two and then
gives the grandkids the "clue" as
to where the Lilac Fairy hid the
present.


Third, have no grand expectations
for a present from the Lilac Fairy (who
may or may not include Becky, Penny
and Kathleen).  The gifts are silly
things like nail polish or squirt 
guns...but you can be certain that
the Nielson clan gathers in great
numbers, both old and young, to 
celebrate this family tradition
that goes back several generations.


It may be my all time favorite thing
the Nielsons do.


Presenting Lilac Lilacs 2012...




 Meet at Grandmas house

 Gather around waiting your turn for the lilac reading

See?  This one is lucky!!  A "fiver!"


Patient.

Olivia's turn. Grandma does some blowing
on the lilacs to "read" them better.
(Along with the higgledy piggledy's)


The clue has been given, now the child must search.
High and low.

The crowd

Grandma's Lilacs



A toothpick ALSO makes a fine lilac holder
while waiting for your turn on Grandmas lap.

Glasses adjustment.

"Magic" glasses--

Almost the princesses turn


Ah yes!  A clue with few words.
This sends Grace back to Grandmas lap
multiple times to get it right.


BINGO!  NOW I know where it is!

Eliza's turn for the magic.



And Josh.


He thinks he may know where to search.

Baby Will's turn.





And this is my kid who says he is "never getting
married or having kids"...he is the SWEETEST baby
holder/tender you would ever want to see.

But don't tell any girls...YET!


Also someone is having a birthday!  
Little O--grandma got her a strawberry cream
cheese ice cream cake to celebrate!
(she is a cake hater)



Taking turns.


Hi Josh!  Hi Will!

Some presents for Puddy/Olivia/Bompie/Fluffy

Good bye Lilac Day til 2013~


No comments: