Our little painting princess

I wanted to add this on Wordless Wednesday! But it's Thursday now and oh well! I want to remember how adorable she is when she is painting! 

 

Here is our little girl doing one of her favourite things.... painting! She is so focused and she puts so much effot in to it, I love watching her paint....

 

A little artist in the making!

 

Dylan's first confession

Today was the very first step towards Dylan's first communion, it was his first confession. Derek's sister came to watch Lauren and we took him to his mass. He had a song to sing with some of the other children in his class and he was amazing. You could hear Dylan singing out all the songs tonight, he knew every word, every song, every prayer and response. When it was time for him to make his confession we had to take him to the alter and introduce him to the priest, and after his confession we were to embrace him and light a candle with him. I was so incredibly proud of him and I really got teary watching him on the alter. It was really poignant and a very special moment, it only feels like yesterday that he was my tiny little baby and I was taking him to his christening, and now he is making his communion and he has grown so much. There aren't even words to describe how it feels to watch them grow up, you are proud and happy and also it is so bittersweet knowing he isn't your baby anymore. How has it been eight years since his Christening? We are looking forward so much to watching our little boy make his first Holy Communion.
 

Here is our son at his First Confession
 

First swimming Lesson

Today we had our swimming assessment for Lauren and Dylan. Dylan had always flat out refused to join in the swimming lessons when he was Lauren's age. When he was finally ready to start lessons he broke his arm for the first time, and he hasn't gotten back into swimming until this year in school. He has some catching up to do!
 

Lauren is just the age to start lessons and I wasn't sure if she would join in if I wasn't in the water with her. So I organised a swimming assessment in the health club close to us. Dylan did really well they gave him some swimming exercises to do and he completed them all really well! They placed him in his level and he isn't too far behind his classmates. Lauren really surprised me too, she jumped right in the pool and started playing away! She will be in the beginners class, which is really just to get them used to the water and swimming. The classes are limited to 6 children each, it is twice as expensive as other places but it's well worth the money as they are small class sizes with proven results.They are really looking forward to starting their classes.
 

Look how cute they are! 
 

preparations for Dylan's big day

This weekend was all about preparation as we have Dylan's first Holy Communion in a month, and this week we have his first penance ceremony. He is working really hard to prepare for his Communion, he knows all of his prayers and he even has a solo to sing at the first penance mass this week. We are so proud of how much he has worked and the preparation he has put in. He is a great little boy, we are very lucky that he is so interested.
 

So this weekend and last weekend we organised his outfit for the big day. He has to wear his uniform to the church, so he will get a new uniform for that, but for after he has chosen a mustard pair of chino trousers with a light blue shirt with mustard buttons. Derek wanted him to wear a blazer over it, at first I wasn't so sure but it was lovely when he put it on! We got him a lovely pair of navy moccasins from Clarks, the whole outfit is just adorable he looks so preppy and cute!!
 

Dylan's outfit

 

 

After the communion ceremony the school hosts a communion party for all the children, and after that I have a photo shoot organised. We will only have about half an hour to get the shots in before the guests start arriving. We are holding a brunch in our house! I've ordered a bouncy castle for the garden, we've organised a giant tree house. It was a surprise as he thought he was getting a regular castle! he is going to LOVE it. We are having caterers in to do the food, so all we have to do is enjoy the day.
 

The bouncy tree house we've chosen
 

 

Derek will wear one of his suits (God knows he has enough of them) he recently got a gorgeous Armani suit which he is saving to wear for the day, so he's set. We haven't chosen a dress for Lauren yet, I had an outfit for her but when we tried it on again it wasn't quite right. I'm taking her next weekend to pick out a dress. I have my outfit ready, and the diet is on to get into it smoothly! Not looking forward to that bit! I got a lovely dress and a really nice pair of sandals from a boutique in Malahide. I love the outfit, I just hope I can fit in it comfortably by next month! I'm wearing it with a black blazer and corsage brooch that matches my dress.

 

My sandals, I've got the black ones

 

 

 

My dress, wish it looked like this on me!

 

 

This is like my black blazer

So many exciting things coming up this next month and I cannot wait. I am so proud of our little son and I'm looking forward to seeing our adorable little daughter share the day, and I'm looking forward to having all our family around.

 

I wanted to add one more thing, my new necklace that Derek bought me for Mother's day this year. I ordered it from another blogger who sells Oragami Owl. I chose the medium pendant with crystals and the silver ball chain, inside I chose the children's initials, but it is also mine and Derek's initials! I also chose all of our birthstones, and I chose the Love plate. I have it around my neck all the time and I love having my family reminder with me all the time! Thanks Derek! and Dylan and Lauren too! I LOVE it!

 

 

So that was the weekend, quite busy. There are so many memories to be made over the next few weeks. I can't wait!

National Leprechaun Museum

Today my lovely cousin Sian came for a visit, and so we had the most lovely day out in Dublin city with the kids. We went for a really lovely lunch in Temple bar, and afterwards we went to the National Leprechaun Museum It was hilarious, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. There is giant furniture there that you can pose for silly photos on! and lots of props. They have great stories of Irish myths and legends, it was very interactive. It's a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, I think the big kids enjoyed it too ( Derek!!!) When we were done in the museum we all headed to Starbucks for coffee.... It was a really lovely Sunday, and I was delighted to get to spend some time with my favourite cousin. I would recommend the museum for a fun day out!
 

~Here we are being silly~
 

 

I love the we live in a city full of such fun things to do all the time! Love it!

Visit to clonmacnoise

On our way back from our trip from Galway we stopped at Clonmacnoise and there is the most beautiful scenery and churches to see. The kids had a great time, it was also a great way to break the drive back to Dublin. We are truly lucky to live in the midst of so much beauty history and scenery here in Ireland. I got some lovely shots of the round towers with the sun glinting at the sides. We were so lucky that we chose to visit on such a clear and bright day!

 

I love to watch Daddy and daughter hand in hand, it melts my heart

 

 

 

The beautiful towers

 

 

 

 

 The banks of the river shannon on a beautiful clear day

 

 

 

 

A view of Clonmacnoise

 

 

The kids exploring the grounds

 

 

 

Dylan really loves history so he had a great time exploring/

Before we left we stopped to have a look at the river close up, it was so clear and beautiful to see.

 

Our family

 

 

Our beautiful children

 

 

admiring the view

 

 

To think these buildings were built thousands of years ago with less than we have today, and that  they are still standing all ths time later is truly remarkable. I was glad that my children were lucky enough to see this site. It was a really lovely end to our family break away.

Our trip to Galway

 Our first night was very comfortable, the kids were tired after Easter Sunday. We didn't  wake up too early! There was a gorgeous breakfast which we all enjoyed. After breakfast we decided to take the kids swimming. There were slides and pirate ships at the pool, and of course they had an amazing time, and loved every minute. After some naps we decided to explore Galway city, we brought them to the festival that was on in the city centre. They got some delicious cupcakes from the little cupcake stall....

 

They definitely thought they were yummy!

 



 That evening we went to Fat Freddies in the centre of town for dinner. We were surrounded by lots of medieval streets and buildings. The restaurant had whitewashed walls, and old world paraphernalia! The good news is it was really noisy so you didn't notice our two kiddies having a fun time... nice and loud!

 

 

 

The hotel we stayed in was fantastic, I would highly recommend it. They had cookies and milk each night before bed for the children. They also put on a movie night spread for the children, they deliver a hamper up to the room and they pick a film..... They LOVED it. They stayed up late and had popcorn and really enjoyed themselves

 

 

It was a really great few days at our hotel, I really thought Galway was very beautiful. The west of Ireland is breathtakingly beautiful. I thought I would add some images as I didn't get to take any photos of Galway bay. They are of the stunning Galway bay.

 

A view of our beautiful hotel

 

 ( courtesy of google images)

 

It was a great trip and we really enjoyed some quality time together.... I'm already looking forward to our week away in May!

Easter 2013

Easter 2013 was definitely a bit different,we got up to see what the Easter Bunny left...he was very good to us this year! Sadly this year Dylan made a discovery and now knows that a certain rabbit doesn't actually visit, that instead it is Mom and Dad. I was heartbroken, I wasn't ready for this first part of his childhood to end. I suppose he is eight and it's good that he has believed this long. I thought I was going to get one more year, and my Mommy heart is sad that he is growing up so fast, but I am also proud of him as he grows up....

 

But his Easter basket was still laid out in style for him..

 

 

We had our Easter egg hunt before breakfast and they really enjoyed it!



 

Then it was time to get ready for mass, I had to get a few pictures in their cute Easter outfits.... How adorable are these two!?

 

 

This year I was singing with a group of singers and mass was really lovely I have to say. It's nice to take a moment to remember the true meaning of Easter. 

 

After mass it was time to head off on our family mini break. We drove to Galway in great time, the kids watched a movie and we arrived in time for lunch. We are staying in the Westwood hotel in Galway city. Our Easter Sunday dinner this year was in a five star hotel where we are staying, and it was amazing! The kids were so well behaved and I was so proud of them. People even commented on how well behaved, mannerly and quiet they were. Since dinner was at 7:00 pm I didn't think they would do that well, but I was presently surprised!

 

I tried to get some family Easter pictures, but I never bring my camera these days so I had to snap them on my phone (which doesn't have a self portrait timer) and so we had to do our usual 'photos in relays' trick. So here we all are before dinner

 

 

 

We are really enjoying our family break away so far, and it was such a treat to spend Easter away. I could definitely get used to this. I will have a lot more photos from our trip coming soon.

 

But until then.....