There's the really beautiful, wonderful thing families do here, not everywhere, but at our school and many other places. They share birthday parties.
We celebrated a wonderful birthday party for six this past Sunday in the park. The kids play and play and play and the adults socialize, snack, and drink beer. What could be better? Oh, plus there's cake.
Needless to say, we are looking forward to Aine's 4 sometime around the end of the year -- possibly as a combined back to school bash (?).
Here are the pics:
Let's get dirty (sand, water, and kids -- what else is there to do?)!
Aine and her buddy, Marc.
Milkshake, anyone?
Aoife's buddy, Alex, Marc's big-bro -- and, according to Aoife and Alex, our likely, future son-in-law.
Time for cake. There were six. We ang to each child and they each had their turn to be the center of attention and blow out their candles.
Success!
More chocolate-chocloate cake. Good as it was I think we'll be taking a break for a little while.
See, evidence of chocolate cake overdose.
Piñata time!
Just pull and it rains down toys!
Time for presents!
This game is awesome! I don't know why I haven't see a version Stateside.
What a lovely day and what a great way to mark our big-girl's 5th birthday with her friends.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Aoife is 5 -- for real ...
There's little I have to say that most of you don't already know because most of you (our readers) are parents. It really is a special club.
You know how used to get annoyed with "that guy" who said things like: "Do you have kids?" Err, maybe that was just my foolish youth?!? Either way, having kids changes you. I was talking to a friend at work today who has a wonderful, sweet, darling two-week-old (she is absolutely precious). He was glowing while he talked about her and our conversation continued something like this:
...
Kyle (Showing I-Pad pics, beaming as he flips through): {{{smiles}}}
Me (totally falling all over myself): She's gorgeous ... I love that little face ... What a little doll-baby.
He just kept beaming, he's such a proud daddy and so apparently in love.
Me (smiling): Do you find you miss her when you're away from her.
Kyle (making his favorite pic a "screen saver" of sorts and displaying it at his work station): When I see her like this, in these pictures, I sure do.
(Pause.)
Me: I do love that little face.
Kyle: Me too, but I suppose I'm biased, all parents are like that.
Me: I dunno. Having your own just kinda makes you love everyone's.
Kyle: It really does, doesn't it. I find myself peeking into random prams .. and, you know ...
Me: Aw, sure they know you're a parent ..
Kyle (smiles).
And that is the wonder and beauty of what happened to us 5 years ago - we fell completely and totally, head over feet, in love. In some ways we started learning how to really love and be selfless. We did it again 3 and 1/2 ago. And it's just amazing how it actually happens everyday, to all of us (albeit to varying degrees).
My heart is happy.
We were up way too late assembling gifts ... meh.
This cake was crazy, yes, I mean crazy delicious -- and I do say so myself.
Kitchen assembled (thanks Grandma).
Somebody's happy.
Another somebody's happy.
There's more work to be done later.
Including candles to be blown out.
You got it Baby, happy 5!
You know how used to get annoyed with "that guy" who said things like: "Do you have kids?" Err, maybe that was just my foolish youth?!? Either way, having kids changes you. I was talking to a friend at work today who has a wonderful, sweet, darling two-week-old (she is absolutely precious). He was glowing while he talked about her and our conversation continued something like this:
...
Kyle (Showing I-Pad pics, beaming as he flips through): {{{smiles}}}
Me (totally falling all over myself): She's gorgeous ... I love that little face ... What a little doll-baby.
He just kept beaming, he's such a proud daddy and so apparently in love.
Me (smiling): Do you find you miss her when you're away from her.
Kyle (making his favorite pic a "screen saver" of sorts and displaying it at his work station): When I see her like this, in these pictures, I sure do.
(Pause.)
Me: I do love that little face.
Kyle: Me too, but I suppose I'm biased, all parents are like that.
Me: I dunno. Having your own just kinda makes you love everyone's.
Kyle: It really does, doesn't it. I find myself peeking into random prams .. and, you know ...
Me: Aw, sure they know you're a parent ..
Kyle (smiles).
And that is the wonder and beauty of what happened to us 5 years ago - we fell completely and totally, head over feet, in love. In some ways we started learning how to really love and be selfless. We did it again 3 and 1/2 ago. And it's just amazing how it actually happens everyday, to all of us (albeit to varying degrees).
My heart is happy.
We were up way too late assembling gifts ... meh.
This cake was crazy, yes, I mean crazy delicious -- and I do say so myself.
Kitchen assembled (thanks Grandma).
Somebody's happy.
Another somebody's happy.
There's more work to be done later.
Including candles to be blown out.
You got it Baby, happy 5!
And plenty of cuteness to go 'round!
XXXOOO
Monday, April 01, 2013
Onto April ... and Spring!
It's time for my "once-a-monthish" blog post and it's been busy one.
We've moved! We have a comparable amount of space, are a lot closer to the kids school (3 minute walk), have a fantastic patio and see ourselves staying put for a while! Woo-hoo.
We feel like this patio is quite an "accomplishment" -- oh, the simple things. At any rate, when you figure that we live in a place with a higher population density that NYC we feel like we've managed to carve out a pretty nice little place for ourselves and we're feeling good about it!
We've started to take advantage:
A friend from work shared some peppers from Turkey that he and his wife have already had quite a successful harvest with. We're hoping for the same.
Let's get those pepper covered! We want to make sure they sprout ... and soon!
The missing sign is the peppers ... we'll get on that.
The kids did all the illustration apart from the basil -- that was the model, er the one that no one else wanted to do. The kids also picked all the items for the garden, such good taste.
Easter was simple, again. So glad they're easy to please!
Butterfly wings ... that Easter bunny knows what she's up to, we'd just been to a butterfly garden. Oh, she's the thinking bunny, she is.
Apparently, according to Aine, the Easter bunny also thinks that she is a carrot. This caused a lot of problems like hiding under the covers and waking up too many times at night. However, these were easily resolved when I showed her that the bunny had already left its presents and moved on to the next house and was, therefore, not going to nibble on her -- I kid you not.
At any rate, we had a lovely Easter (and Monday off).
Some simple egg decorating, supplies provided by the vegetarian bunny.
Most of our Spring Break was spent moving, organizing the old flat, and making the new one a little more like home. However, we did manage to get away for a couple of days. The rain foiled some of our plans but we still had a nice time.
Playing on the beach.
Windy, but a break from the rain.
Steering the ship.
We also visited a butterfly park/bird sanctuary.
As you can see, the birds loved James.
There's a big butterfly behind us, just above my head.
I'm smiling but the girls are nearly scared out of their wits. This is the world's largest pigeon. I think it was mostly curious, not aggressive, but it followed us around the entire park until the next visitors arrived, then it followed them.
The chrysalis cubby (what's the plural of chrysalis).
A sweet specimen.
Another pretty one, this time in front of us.
In a couple of days this will be the largest butterfly in the world. We saw a preserved one but not a living one because they hatch in bunches and then die within four days. They lack a digestive system and therefore perish quickly ... just enough time to reproduce.
Another, smaller guy, hatching.
I got my chance with the birds too. Again, the girls weren't so sure ...
...but it was like a fond, flashback to childhood for me.
We toured another sweet little town. There are so many along the Catalan countryside.
The rarely seen Daddy and Mommy alone pic!
A nice family shot.
In front of 2500 year old Greek ruins.
Inside a medieval church.
Daddy and his girls (poor Beanie clunked her head).
As you can see, we've been busy. I'd like to guarantee a post at the end of the month but I start two classes tomorrow (but I'll be done in June -- the end is in sight) and I've been getting a lot more teacher training work, so I'll try but no promises.
So -- hasta la proxima -- we love you! XO
We've moved! We have a comparable amount of space, are a lot closer to the kids school (3 minute walk), have a fantastic patio and see ourselves staying put for a while! Woo-hoo.
We feel like this patio is quite an "accomplishment" -- oh, the simple things. At any rate, when you figure that we live in a place with a higher population density that NYC we feel like we've managed to carve out a pretty nice little place for ourselves and we're feeling good about it!
We've started to take advantage:
A friend from work shared some peppers from Turkey that he and his wife have already had quite a successful harvest with. We're hoping for the same.
Let's get those pepper covered! We want to make sure they sprout ... and soon!
The missing sign is the peppers ... we'll get on that.
The kids did all the illustration apart from the basil -- that was the model, er the one that no one else wanted to do. The kids also picked all the items for the garden, such good taste.
Easter was simple, again. So glad they're easy to please!
Butterfly wings ... that Easter bunny knows what she's up to, we'd just been to a butterfly garden. Oh, she's the thinking bunny, she is.
Apparently, according to Aine, the Easter bunny also thinks that she is a carrot. This caused a lot of problems like hiding under the covers and waking up too many times at night. However, these were easily resolved when I showed her that the bunny had already left its presents and moved on to the next house and was, therefore, not going to nibble on her -- I kid you not.
At any rate, we had a lovely Easter (and Monday off).
Some simple egg decorating, supplies provided by the vegetarian bunny.
A little patio kung-fu...
...and other antics.Most of our Spring Break was spent moving, organizing the old flat, and making the new one a little more like home. However, we did manage to get away for a couple of days. The rain foiled some of our plans but we still had a nice time.
Windy, but a break from the rain.
Steering the ship.
We also visited a butterfly park/bird sanctuary.
As you can see, the birds loved James.
There's a big butterfly behind us, just above my head.
I'm smiling but the girls are nearly scared out of their wits. This is the world's largest pigeon. I think it was mostly curious, not aggressive, but it followed us around the entire park until the next visitors arrived, then it followed them.
The chrysalis cubby (what's the plural of chrysalis).
A sweet specimen.
Another pretty one, this time in front of us.
In a couple of days this will be the largest butterfly in the world. We saw a preserved one but not a living one because they hatch in bunches and then die within four days. They lack a digestive system and therefore perish quickly ... just enough time to reproduce.
Another, smaller guy, hatching.
I got my chance with the birds too. Again, the girls weren't so sure ...
...but it was like a fond, flashback to childhood for me.
We toured another sweet little town. There are so many along the Catalan countryside.
The rarely seen Daddy and Mommy alone pic!
A nice family shot.
In front of 2500 year old Greek ruins.
Inside a medieval church.
Daddy and his girls (poor Beanie clunked her head).
As you can see, we've been busy. I'd like to guarantee a post at the end of the month but I start two classes tomorrow (but I'll be done in June -- the end is in sight) and I've been getting a lot more teacher training work, so I'll try but no promises.
So -- hasta la proxima -- we love you! XO
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