My lil pumpkin

So we lost another tooth here! the poor child I don't know how he even eats with all those gaps! But the tooth fairy came, and that makes Dylan happy! I must say he's pretty adorable with his little toothless smile! But we are definitely running out of teeth fast!

This photo above makes me laugh because I think he reminds me of this....

Yep he's like a lil pumpkin! I guess he's my lil pumpkin (sorry Dylan) just in time for Halloween...

My birthday weekend

Yesterday I celebrated my  29th birthday  I can't believe it's the last year of my twenties! I had a lovely birthday, my Mum and Dad came up to celebrate with me. Unfortunately I've been really sick all week, and so my birthday was spent feeling ( and looking) pretty awful. I was so glad to have my family around though on my birthday. On the day of my birthday we all got the train into town, and we brought Lauren and Dylan around the Disney store on Grafton street. Then we went for a walk around the Stephen's Green park, Lauren and Dylan ran around and played and watched the ducks. Then we all went back home again and got some goodies for my birthday dinner. Then they surprised me with a chocolate cake. Which looked like it was on fire from all the candles!

I decided to keep the photo to mark the day, even though I look like I haven't slept in a week ( I haven't) and it's from Derek's phone! even though I was sick, I still had a really special day.... I am so lucky to have such a lovely family....

Now here's to the countdown to turning 30!

Happy Birthday to me...

Family Update 12/09/11

Things have been very busy around here, I've been busy getting ready to start my new job, and getting the kids settled. So here the update goes...

Dylan

Dylan went to his first rugby practice on Saturday, he did really well. He thoroughly enjoyed it and he scored three tries!  He can't wait to go back again next week. I am so proud of him. Here he is at training.

When we got home from training he went out to practice some more!

He will be starting his swimming lessons soon, and he is starting gymnastics too. So he will be busy busy! He is getting to be a big guy! I nearly fell over when he came home, and I took this out of his schoolbag tonight. It's his very first homework diary! I can't believe it. He is officially getting homework, real homework!

I also had to add the lovely photo of Dylan wearing his new Dublin jersey, I already added this photo but I like this version better.... I guess he is finally a fully fledged Dublin man now!

He is too cute!

Lauren

Lauren is really settling into creche. She loves having friends to play with and lots of activities to keep her busy. She seems to be enjoying it, but we will see how she gets in when she spends some full days there! I hope she continues to do well. I am so proud of her.

This week we had lots of fun, first we made a banoffi pie together.

It was really yummy (We made the banoffi for a baby shower I was invited to)

Then on Thursday on our way to creche, we went on the train together and she absolutely loved it. She was delighted looking out the window and watching the world go by.

Look at that face, I love watching her experience new things!

Today she wasn't feeling very well, she had a really high temperature so Derek took the day off and brought her to the doctor. Thankfully she didn't still have her infection, but she has a virus and she is is really a lot better this evening, so she should be fine to go to creche tomorrow. She had a day with her Daddy today and so she felt much happier!

I went to a neighbours baby shower on Friday night, it was a great night and I got to know all my new neighbours. It was so nice of them to ask me and I had a great time. Just look at this beautiful table.

Our hostess had baby bibs in the centre of the table and we had balloons and gifts for the new Mommy.

So it's been so busy here, so much is happening around here.

Here's to another great week...

Fun days at creche

Today we had our second day of our settling in week, Dylan had his first day at afterschool club today too. He had a great time, he said he had so much fun. I am so relieved. He was delighted because they had wrestlers there, and they are his current favourite toy!!

Lauren did really well too. I am delighted because she spent an hour there on her own and there wasn't a single tear! I really hope we continue this way! Lauren finally got to dress up and she was just delighted, she loves nothing more...

Here are the guys at playtime today

6/09/11

I was so happy to have a whole hour to myself too... I got to have this....

uninterrupted...

It was heaven...

Made even better by the fact that I knew the kids were having fun and were safe, there isn't anything else that could make me happier. I know that I will be able to go to work next week with a happy heart.

Some more pics from life lately...

Reasons why I love having a two and a half year old and six and a half year old...

yes that is cat meal all over the kitchen floor, and  yes Dylan has filled his castle with earth! Great fun!

Lauren and I also had a little slumber morning today before we went to creche! She had a little nap and I fell asleep besider her. There isn't anything better than sleepy cuddles with my girl!

 Here's Dylan in his new Dublin jersey, I guess he is finally a dubliner!

and Lauren got a lil cut knee.....

So that's all that's been happening here lately...

I'm soaking up all my special moments with my kiddies until I go back to work, I'm gonna mis them, but at least I know that they will both be happy!

Thank goodness...

Lauren's 1st day at creche and playschool

There seems to be a lot of big days around here recently, today was Lauren's turn...

It was...

She had her first day in creche! She did so well I am astounded! She was a little clingy at first, she wouldn't do anything on her own, but before long she really settled down. I left her for a half hour and there wasn't a single tear. I am so proud of how well she did. She even helped me to make her lunch before we left.

Then we were all ready to go...

How cute is she! In creche she played in the soft play area, and she had her lunch, she played with the other children and then she drew a picture. When she got home she couldn't wait to show her big brother her picture, and he was so proud of her!

Of course Lauren is never as happy as when Dylan is proud of her!

So she had a cookie, and showed off her 'work of art' some more! With her cookie face!

That's our girl! She is going back again tomorrow, and I will leave her for an hour this time. Dylan will be at after school club tomorrow too while I'm there so I can be sure he is happy and settled in.

So I hope tomorrow will be as good as today....

Well done Lauren

Summer 2011

So the summer is drawing to a close and we had quite an eventful summer! Moving and doing things and having fun. So we end the summer on a happy note! I got a new job and I can't wait, I'm starting  in a week. Lauren and Dylan are going to go to a really good creche and after school club, they have an after school pick up  if you want. Then the kids go back to the club, and they get to play for the afternoon, and do their homework. I think Dylan will love it. Lauren really needs the interaction with other kids. She will do some pre- Montessori work in the mornings and then play in the afternoons, she will really enjoy herself. I know there will be a settling in period there, but she should get used to it soon enough, and hopefully she will get good at sharing and playing with other children.

 I've added a collage of my favourite photos from the summer.

Summer 2011

I'm glad we had a good summer and we look forward to the change in seasons and to all the Autumn and Winter brings, and all the fun that comes with it...

Back to school

~ Today was a special day in our house ~

because ...

it was ...

 He was so excited, he is now officially in first class. This is the first year where he will have 'real' homework, apparently we will really see a difference in his work load every day.

This morning he went off to school with a big smile on his face, he was so happy to see his old friends, he just left me and went to play with all the boys. The happiness all over his face was good for my soul, I know we have made the right decision coming back to Dublin. We are so lucky that it has all worked out.

So here's to my big boy starting first class, we are so proud of you Dylan.

When Lauren got home she had to take her bag down so she could practice going to school too! It won't be long Lauren! Just enjoy your freedom while it lasts.

Dylan is finished an hour later now, I think he will be utterly exhausted when he gets home! I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

I hope we have a great year in 1st class, I can't wait to see what the year brings.