We're coming to getcha . . .

Last year, we built some leprechaun traps using designs we found in Family Fun magazine.  Now, I don't want to knock the Family Fun people but . . . well . . . they didn't work.  In retrospect, it was clear that there were some serious design flaws.  I mean, using a cardboard box?  Not even close to strong enough to contain a leprechaun!!!  So this year, Cameron designed the traps himself.  There are several Lego traps which I don't entirely understand, except for a long Lego bridge designed to lure the leprechauns with some cleverly placed coins.  The bridge is too weak to support the weight of your average leprechaun, so when they greedily run out onto the bridge it will collapse, dropping them into a pool of water.  Gotcha!

There is one non-Lego trap -- an improvement upon last year's cardboard box fiasco.  "It's made from coffee canisters," explains Cameron, "which are metal inside so the leprechauns can't blast through it."  The leprechauns will climb a toothpick ladder to reach the coins placed tantalizingly on the top of the trap.  The toothpick ladder, like the Lego bridge, will be weak and will break as they climb it.  It will be just strong enough for them to reach the top, but will not survive a climb back down.  Take that, leprechauns!

Last year, the leprechauns also used their socks to make a rope ladder, thus escaping the oatmeal canister trap.  To foil them, Cameron used TWO coffee canisters.  But here's the really tricky part.  The coffee canisters are intact, merely taped together.  Thus, when the leprechaun falls into the trap, he will find himself stranded several inches above the floor!  So, even if he manages to blast a hole in the canister, how will he get down?!?!   

Cameron is feeling pretty confident that this will be our year.  I am racking my brain, wondering how the leprechauns are going to outwit these traps . . .