New Traveling Companions

I have two new traveling companions. They are just perfect. They get along well with most outfits, they are comfortable to be around, they make me feel sassy and cool (I need all I can get in my momified life) they joined my life indirectly via my mom (even good came come of evil- Maybe that was a little too harsh?) So here are my new best friends enjoying Ireland with me.

Here they are in my "executive suite" in Cork. For some reason I was roomed all by myself the whole trip in upgraded rooms.

The very swanky hotel in Killarney. I think those light fixtures would be so cool in our master bedroom- with my very mod wallpaper I want.

Walking on a country lane.

Some of the many steps at Ballymore Castle.

What you wanted to see more of Ireland than that? Well I guess here are some of my favorite spots.

So there is a little taste of the trip. Next week I will highlight the trip in more detail. I am finally going back to my normal work schedule now that Dr. B is back from China. But Beckett my never be the same.

Crazy Weather

Two days ago 90 degree weather- shorts, playing in the yard with the hose.
Today snow. Snow on the blossoming dogwoods. Snow on the tulips. Snow on the lilacs.

Oh how I love spring. I am heartsick today that I am not with Cody and JJ on their special day. I wish I was there. I wish I could see their glowing faces. I wish I could see their families joy as these two people are sealed for all time and eternity. I wish I could partake in the nacho cheese fountain.

Some thoughts now that I am home

So the thought of attempting to cover our trip is just too overwhelming- but here are a couple of things that tickled my funny bone.

So I couldn't really find anything that was just right for a gift for Becky and Andrea- okay there were a lot of great things but none in my budget- sorry no $300 table cloths for you. And then when we were at a horrible dinner show the very last night I saw the perfect gift. The waitress was using a tea towel with all the great Irish writers printed on it. Yes folks that is a tea towel with the faces of James Joyce and Samuel Beckett printed on it. I can not describe the glee that this product filled my soul. Just imagine the horror in these men are feeling- I can't but think that Frank McCourt and Maria Edgeworth would get the joke though. Unfortunately I couldn't convince Marika to steal it out of the girl's back pocket. So your lack of the Great Irish Writers Tea Towel is due to Marika's silly little problem with larceny.

Also - I came home to Dr B being on vacation and I am working twice as many as my usual hours. Yesterday I told Coen he was going to Grandma's so that I could go to work and take care of sick kids- and he replied "Mommy you need to stay home and take care of Beckett and Coen."

And before all you stay at home mom's get too heart broken for my poor neglected children- this morning Coen kept telling me to hurry up so he could go to Grandma's and then told me it was more fun when Dad came and picked him up and that should be his job and I should just come home and make dinner.

Killarney

This may be my favorite city so far. Today we drove the ring of Kerry (i think I just called that the wrong name, but now I can't think of the real one because the bar band is playing Johnny Cash's Rind of Fire) anyways- way too much time on the bus with stops at a couple of great look out points and a lot of tourist traps. Lunch was about 16-20 dollars for fairly gross food. My little ducklings were so glad I packed them a lunch from the grocery store (and the breakfast buffet that had a cheese and salami tray- weird).

This afternoon I ran around and got the last of my gifts for the family. I could never find a dragon for Coen- but I did find a fuzzy little donkey- the animal that was really at the castle. You just can't imagine how cute a donkey can be when he has really long hair- when I get home I will post a picture. Uhm don't ask me to get you anything because it is fiendishly expensive in Ireland and there is nothing that is affordable for a little gift. Ugh. I did get myself a fabulous sweater.

After a nap and dinner in our super posh hotel (my room has a jacuzzi tub!) The adults went out to a pub and sat and listened to Irish music.It was great. The crowd consisted mostly of Elderly people and young guys with shaved heads- Just perfect for me! and we got some pictures of Nancy holding glasses of gueniss (how do you spell that and just tonight nancy realized it was a bear and not just the record book!) - blackmail anyone? The music was just perfect and exactly what I wanted and not deafeningly loud.

On to Cork tomorrow and home stays for all the kids but Marika so I think she and I will go pub crawling (against the rules for the trip). Isn't it great that she is 18 and can hang out in bars with me!?

Ennis Ireland

We are in Ennis- tomorrow the choir sings at the cathedral here in town. Today was an impromptu concert in a castle. It was great. My mind is blank right now but I will post pictures and names when we get home. The weather was wonderful. Rainy when we were indoors and sunny when we were outside. The Cliffs of Moher were amazing, breathtaking, and windy. Just wish you were all with me, or that I was in my own car so I could stop and take a million more pictures.
Miss my boys but am loving the break.

goodbyes

Well tonight I was getting a few last cuddles from the boys. I started to feel a little weepy. I was kissing Coen and telling him I would miss him. He just said "Mommy you will be back soon." I was still a little teary. So Coen then said "Mommy you sad- go hug Daddy now."

Tomorrow or the next day- a little confused with the time- I will be in Ennis Ireland. The above are little tiny pics of Ennis I found online. Hopefully I will get some great stuff with my camera to share with you when I get home.

Off to Ireland

Well I am frantically packing. Our house looks like a hurricane hit it. And I keep thinking of things that I need that are in one of the three rooms my guys are sleeping in. And I have lost my to do list. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope I get out of here. With everything I need. I am less worried about packing for the boys- if I forget anything some one can come over to the house and get it.

I got some fabulous bright red patent leather ballet flats. They are so amazingly perfect for me. I will get a picture for you later- because right now they are in the room with the snoring Alma.

I am not going to try to update the blog while gone- but you can see videos of the trip at this website. Go to www.vimeo.com in the search box type The Family-Travelers "Note"work- the videos should pop up. I hope it works. I am so excited. If I can get packed. If I can fit my clothes around the ginormous medical kit I have packed.