Summer Fun

Today was a scorcher here in Dublin and it looks like summer is finally here! we celebrated by having an ice-cream garden party with our friends!

 



A lovely cold drink with fresh strawberries in the sun..... life is good!

 

I really hope there are many more days like this over the holidays!

Trip to Fort Lucan

So for our last treat for the school year we took the kids to Fort Lucan, which is a venue with a big park and water slides. The weather was only ok! but that didn't spoil our fun, we still had a great time!

 

We had to take some selfies of course!

 

My babies and I

The kids went on the big slide a few times, I knew Dylan would go on the slides as he is such a daredevil! He loves to try new things and never has any fear, Lauren usually is a bit more reserved about trying new things and we need to coax her along! well we need not have worried as she was right up onto the water slide and LOVED it! and she kept going on it! we were so proud of her for trying it and they both loved the slides!

 

 

So after a go on the karts and a big  play in the park, it was home time! I would say we will probably visit Fort Lucan again! It was a good treat for all of their hard work this year!

 

End of school year surprise

Yesterday was the last day of the school  year. Dylan finished fourth class and Lauren finished senior infants. We got their school reports and they were glowing, Dylan has come on leaps and bounds academically, and the teacher mentioned he has been working so hard. Lauren's teacher mentioned that Lauren should be commended for all of her hard work, and that she was a pleasure to teach, both teachers pointed out that my children were a great addition to the classroom and that they were good, caring children. To say we were proud of them would be an understatement! We were ecstatic.

 

They went off to their respective class parties, Lauren's class were having a 'teddy bears picnic' so cute! They were so excited going off to school. They are so excited to be getting their summer holidays, and they are getting their surprise when they get home from school for their amazing school reports, and all of their hard work this year.

 

Last day of school picture, I can't believe how much they have grown

 

 

When they got home I had their trampoline bought! there were squeals of excitement! even though it took over two hours to put together by my friend and I, it was worth every difficult moment to see their faces of pure happiness! They deserve a special treat, and I hope they have a summer full of fun on their new trampoline!

 

This morning they were out bright and early enjoying their trampoline! I may have also had a turn! The best part is they can truly enjoy the garden and their time with me this year as I will be staying home with them for the summer, I am so grateful to be able to do this, and I am treasuring every single moment, this is a gift that I have wished for since Lauren was only a little over 1! So since it's officially the summer holidays, we better get to having fun!
 

 

Dylan's mini all Ireland tournament

 

This week we had Dylan's mini all Ireland  tournament, and he was amazing. He played exceptionally well, we are so proud of him. He has worked really hard in his GAA this year, he went from the B team to the A team, and he has stuck to his hobby and excelled in it. I am so proud of my brilliant little boy, and I truly believe he will continue to excel either in this sport, or anything else he puts his mind too. Dylan and his team won and lost in their matches, but overall they played amazingly and then they came second in the tournament!

 

Well done Dylan, we are so proud of you!

 

 

 

Well done to the whole team and we hope they continue to have a great time next year, making new friends and enjoying doing what they love!

Marley park fun

The good part of being home early last night, meant we were up bright and early with the kiddies and we were out enjoying the lovely weather. We went for a walk and play in Marley park. The kids love this park. We played for a long time and just relaxed, I really really love Sunday family days and relaxing with my very favourite people!

 

 

~ Happy Sunday ~

Parents night off

Tonight mummy and Daddy had a night off to go to a friend's birthday party! It was so nice to have some time to myself just with Derek. We had a brilliant night, I love to get some quality time with Derek, and the kids had great fun with Auntie Sian!

Lil miss photo bomb expert Lauren!

 

 

The sad thing is we were home and in bed by 1:00 am, it was so funny, we were wrecked... I think we are starting to get old! off to sleep I go... at least I won't be really tired tomorrow!

 

Had to add this hilarious photo that I sent to my friend, me in my rollers getting ready. It takes a lot longer to get ready in your thirties, and the nights out are much shorter! (you can even blog about them before bed!!)

 

'Roller Queen'

 

 

Looking forward to a quiet Sunday today!

 

 

School Sports Day 2015

Today was sports day in our school! The kids had the most fun, and they each won a medal. Dylan came third in his race, and Lauren got a medal for participation! I was so proud of both my babies today!

 

Here they are receiving their prizes
 

I got some great shots of them running in their races, it will be lovely to look back on these photos as they grow bigger.

 

They both ran so well and they were absolutely delighted. I love this day every year, I love the sense of community and the well wishes of all the spectators. I also love to see the kids having such a good time! Today was a huge success.

End of term ballet recital

 

 

It was a busy week for Lauren this week, taking off her training wheels the other day, and today we had her end of year ballet recital in school. She was every inch the pretty ballerina, the little girls were the cutest! Lauren has tried other dance classes and has never stuck with it, and this year she not only stuck to her hobby, she excelled in it. She has been amazing, and we are so proud of her.

 

Here's our little princess on her last ballet class of the year

 

 

Well done Lauren, we are really looking forward to watching you enjoy your new hobby next year!

You did it Lauren

Yesterday was a momentous day around here, Lauren took off her training wheels and she rode her bike all on her own. Within the hour she was cycling and taking off like she was doing it her whole life, we are so very proud of her.

 

Dylan was so adorable too, he was in the background supporting her with words of encouragement, just like her first steps. I like to think of Dylan there supporting her for their whole lives, and she doing the same for him.  I cried when she did this, our baby is growing up so fast.

 

 

It doesn't seem so long ago that Daddy was giving Dylan his pep talk about how he could cycle by himself, and now Lauren has reached this milestone...

 

 

 

It was a perfect day, Lauren we are all so proud of you!

This is the day ......

Today was our baby's due date, the sun shone high in the sky, it was a heavenly day.... fit for an angel. There is so much I would love to have been able to do on the day our baby was born that I won't be able to do, but what I can do is remember my son or daughter. My photo shows the balloon ( I put the picture in a tiny pink heart ) floating to heaven, I want to mark this day with a letter to our baby Hope......

 

 

 

Dear Hope,

Today you should have been born, our little surprise that we longed to meet. We never got the chance to know if you would have been a boy or a girl, would you have had hair like your brother or your sister? Would you have had curls? We will never get to experience your first cry, or press our lips to your tiny forehead.

I imagine holding you and inhaling your sweet baby sent. I imagine the moment when I saw your face for the first time, wishing that your brother and sister could have known you.

I held you within me all of your life, and I love you and will never forget that you were here, now you are a part of me, you have joined into my heart when you passed away. To me and to Daddy you will always be a part of us, you are just as much our son or daughter as Dylan and Lauren.

For your birthday Daddy and I sent you a pretty white ballon, it floated up and up and up, I've never seen a balloon soar so high, I hope that I will someday get to meet you. When I get to heaven I will find you, and I will shower you in kisses and get to know you. When I find you I will never ever let you go again, that I promise you. I will never know why we never got to keep you here with us, but one thing I know for sure, you are still with us .... you are all around us.

Happy birthday Hope, you will be forever in our hearts. This is the day you were to be born, this is the day we wished for but never came. This is the day we celebrate you. 

We will love you forever ........

Mummy, Daddy, big brother Dylan and big sister Lauren

Walking in Malahide Castle

Today we went to Malahide castle for a walk and some ice-cream. It was a very relaxing family Sunday, my very favourite kind!

 with beautiful weather and views of the castle

 

 

With all of my very favourite people.... Who could ask for more?

 

Happy Sunday!

Inside out exhibition

The cold weather continued again today, and we even got some rain along with the cold today, but we made the most of our day. We took the kids to the animal inside out exhibition, it was phenomenal and I highly recommend it. There were so many types of specimens on display, the kids really loved exploring all of the different species and seeing how animal and human bodies work. I really enjoyed it too, and I'm looking forward to seeing the human exhibition when it comes to Dublin!

Afterwards we went into town and had lovely cakes and lemonade.... the kids of course had ice cream and they couldn't be happier! They love their ice cream

 

 

It's been a great weekend around here!