Back to school

Took the kids to the beach last night to tire them out, also had (possibly) our last picnic of the summer there too and it was lovely.  Kids were shattered and easily led to the bath and then to bed.  Whereupon me and the man ripped the house apart trying to find the sodding school shirts I bought for #1 at the start of the month.  Didn't find them so he went to school in a shirt aged 7-8 (he's 9 1/2) and strict instructions to NOT take his jumper off.  He still managed to get pulled over by the witch and told to tuck it in.  Him and several others I might add but I have a feeling their shirts might actually have been long enough to hang out over their trousers.

No. 2 went in no bother and no. 3 was happy enough larking around in his uniform until it was just him left and time for him to go into his classroom.  Ooooooh, I didn't cry but I wanted to and he didn't cry although he looked close.  Then that was that.  Free.  The youngest of 3 is now in school.  We did it!  So went for coffee, had a bizarre conversation and then bought new school shirts before dashing off to get boys 3, 2 and 1.  Spent most of morning in car.  Going to cook something special for dinner to celebrate this great occasion. 

The oddest conversation ever!!

Whilst walking through a car park on our way for coffee this morning - after dropping off my last baby at school - Darren partook of the strangest conversation ever.  And I do mean EVER.

Darren: I know that fella, "Howiya Phillip".

'Phillip':  "Colm".

Darren: "Nah, it's Darren".

Darren ". . . actually, I don't think his name was Phillip ..."  Me:  "Colm, by any chance?"  Darren:  "Cackle, yeah, yeah, Colm."

Why do cows use the doorbell?

Because their horns don't work.  Beep, beep.

Great night out

Spent Saturday afternoon with my sister, a girlie girl, before going out to my friend Annie's mother's birthday party (actually, that night we were discussing the use of apostrophes and I hope mine are all in the right place).  She dispaired of my slapdash attitude to getting ready (5 min make up) and choice of clothes (yawn) so practicied turned a pigs ear into a silk purse.  It was brilliant craic.  Apart from the fact that she repeatedly went to stick a cotton bud in her mouth to remove eyeliner etc.  Ick.  She lent me a fab purple dress to go with my fab black shoes.

As I was showing David how I could actually walk in the heels and swish my hips at the same time I lost my balance and crashd into this gentleman whose wife was NOT amused.  David was. 

Great night, great people and . . . .  sore head the next day.  Memo to self.  Do not succumb to peer pressure so easily.  David:  "Ah, Niamh, have a drink.  What's the point of ditching he car?"  Me: "Oh go on then".

Tomorrow

We get to go to the Flea.  I'm going to bring the family!  Also, I'm a apparently a poet and yet didn't know it.

If you can go.  Go!  It's brilliant, just don't buy anything you think I'll like!!!!

Poor Arthur

He never learns.  Last night he kicked up murder and started sobbing when it was time to go to bed.  He carried on to such a degree I did a real mamy thing.  I slapped him on the hand and told him 'now you have something to cry about'.

This morning, he kicked up murder about going to football training and Darren did the exact same thing.  "Hold your hand out Arthur... . .  slap . . . . now you have something to cry about".  I never knew we both had mammies from the same old school of child rearing.

Saturday bloody Saturday

Woke up in a panic because I forgot to collect some balloons.  At 2.15am!!!!  Was first in the queue (love that word) this morning and . . . have 'em.   Phew.  Cake is made and I'm good to go.  Shame I have to make another cake now too.   And it's not working.  I can't seem to make the icing red in an even and expected fashion.  Bollox.  Looks like I'm going to have to restart and airbrush inside.  Which I hate cos it means you have multi-coloured snot.  Nice, eh? 

Poor Billy

I have this cousin, M.  He makes me laugh.  But he upset my dog!!

He said Billy looks like the Jack Russell that ate a Jack Russell.

Poor Billy. 

I have something to tell you

I have this great uncle.  His name is . . . well, let's call him B.  He rocks.  He's originally from Ireland but has lived on the West Coast of America or so long you'd never in a million years know he was Irish.  He is pretty much 70% proof Jameson Whiskey and his doctor has advised him that 'whatever'he is doing to keep doing it as it's obviously doing him good.  That 'whatever' would be smoking, drinking and playing golf and backing the odd horse.

So, the other night he says:

"...... yeah, well I was banging this broad, she was in her early fifties and she knew how to go.  Then a few weeks later she turned up and said "B, we gotta talk.  I think I'm pregnant!"  I was like 'fuck, holy shit man.  It took a few minutes to get that she was winding me up.  Whatta dame."

He's 77!!!!!!!!  He also knows how big his willy is, cos it does still work.  Now I do too.  It's 7 inches and 5/8s.  Yeah, theres something to know about your uncle.

I love my uncle B.  Long may he continue.

Musings

Has anyone ever had a grudge against someone?  I get angry at someone and swear blind that 'never again' will I be a fool for them etc.  But I forget.  I am kinda holding a, hmm, what to call it?  Basically, a mate's partner was bold and I am angry at him because he tries to make people think he is better than all around him and he is a good man etc.  When basically, he's just someone who cocked up.  It's not my relationship so I let them get on with it.  I get irked when I'm preached at but what the hey, right?

I do keep grudges against D, my man about the house, but they're usually for indescretions like going on the piss and forgetting to come home (once), not putting the rubbish out (many times) and ... well, that's it.  If I wanted I could have a HUGE grudge against him but what's the point.  Life is life.  You just get stuck if you have to remember all those things that people do.  I think they can twist your head and make you bitter and cynical.  Therefore I'm fascinated by people remembering of little things and adding them up to see if you can make a big list

I know one persn who is constantly reminding her friend's partner that she knows what hes like and that if he ever does it again etc. etc. but surely it's not her place?  I mean, if the person in question is happy why hold a grudge on their behalf?

I don't hold grudges.  Apart from anything I am developing a bad memory, but life is toooooo short.  Also, do yo really, really know why/what/where happened?  People have an awful habit, me included, of forgetting the nice things that friends do for you and instead focus on the negatives and that is a shame.

This day next week

we'll be back into the school run proper.  Aaaaagh.  Am dreading it.  As have previously stated I hate getting up in the morning.  Secondly, this is the big one, my baby is going to school.  Jesus, I guess when you're baby is going to school you've finally got to stop calling your fat 'babyfat' etc.  A is going to school, does that mean I have to grow up too and get a proper job?  When H started school A was only freshly popped.  My baby is starting school and it's breaking my heart. When did I blink and miss them getting bigger?  It's like only yesterday that he was handed to me and now he's starting school?? 

Don't get me wrong, I am quite sure that I'll be fine within a week when I notice I have less running around to do and I actually do have a whole morning to myself but . . . . . . the baby is startig school and I feel changes afoot.

Then suddenly it was Tuesday and, therefore, nearly Friday again.

Too much happening (man) to keep this up this week.  Excellent weekend hanging with girlie friends on Fri evening and most of Saturday.   Staying up late, drinking wine and putting the world to rights.  Then the next morning (only just ) we sorted out birthday parties and I finally got to Christy Birds.  It's even better than I imagined.  Lots of cool stuff like butchers pigs and weighing scales, dolls houses (burn 'em so the dolls have no where to live - HATE dolls), tables and hatstands.  Deadly.  Home and so, so, so sleepy.

Sunday we were meant to be having dinner in my bros new apartment but . . . .  the in laws offered to take the kids for the ENTIRE day which meant me and D. had the ENTIRE day to ourselves.  Hmmm?  Dinner or freedom?  We chose, obviously, freedom.  And it was fab.  Lunch in the grange then a drive around then off to see Salt (don't bother!) and then home to bed.  Yayayayayya. 

Back to normal on Monday.  The borrowed boy was returned and he's feeling better.  The mad uncle from California came to visit.  At this moment in time we're on the second litre of whiskey and, well, what more can I say?  He's brilliant.  He says a lot of the things you think but would NEVER ever have the nerve to say out loud.  Things so bad I'm afraid to even type them down in case I'm judged.  And you would judge me.  Promise.  He's a dude, sounds like he's only ever visited here not at all like he's lived here for the first 26 years of his life.  He smokes lots.  Drinks more.  Stays up late and at 78 he's still going strong.  Am quite sure that he would cark it should he ever give up on any of his vices.  Include horses and golfing here.  Kids idolise him too as he takes them to the candy shop and the ice cream parlour and calls them kiddo.  What's not to like?

Met A and A for a very quick cup of coffee.  So quick there was no point me even ordering.  I miss females.  Females that aren't reptiles.  I miss hanging out with women.  Is it too much to ask for that I have just a bit of female company every day.  Jesus, even every OTHER day would do me.  Swear to god, one day I'm going to go and pee and find myself standing to do it.

Thank Crunchie it's Friday

Not been posting as have been either knackered or have headache or been remaking a cake, again and again.  Think it's time to rehit the doc. and have the inside of my head cleaned out as headaches getting worse and more frequent.  The inside of my leg is also numb and I really do think I need a holiday.  The shitty thing is . . .  .  the kids are due back at school Tuesday week and whilst most parents are whoo-hoo-ing I'm dreading it.  Having to actually exit the bed by 7am???  Be somewhere by 8.30AM??????  Dreading it.  Still, will have mornings back which will be nice - the borrowed boy is a sweetheart and naps during the morning.  Might even hit the Wii Fit and see if that can do anything for me.  One can but hope.

Oscar is Annakin Skywalker today.  I thought he was Oscar?  Can't keep up with his zelig lke changes of clothes and character.  Maybe he's the reason my head is spinning.

Or maybe it's because the dog just sicked up a sock???  Bleugh

Or maybe it's because I have to find some way of making a cake look like Sydney Harbour by 12 noon today. 

Or maybe it's just because it's hot.

Yup, my head is spinning and I feel like a right dope fiend everytime I go to the chemist and ask for painkillers.  Coedine is not something they are happy giving out anymore.  One of the bastards even said 'it's all in the mind' about my love of syndol.  Apparently they only work 5% better than normal paracetemol.  Pah!!!!  She obviously has never had migrane.  All in the head!  I know it's in my head that's why I need the bloody drugs.

Ooh, just in the door, W5 are having a Star Wars Day in October.  Guess where we will be.  Wonder who Oscar will go as?  Did you know that the colour of Luke's light sabre helps you determine which movie we're talking about?  No? Well it does.

Be still my beating heart!

Can't sleep.  So decided to get up (3.15am - will be positively weasel-like by 10am) and clean kitchen, make a cake, tackle the bloody opera house AGAIN.  Was doing all those things when the fucking tv came on!!!!  Okay, so it wasn't the tv it was the amp thing but, either way, fairy fucking odd parents started blaring through the kitchen.  Those who know me well will know I'm a big scaredy cat so pottering around the kitchen to be suddenly bombarded by the fairy fucking odd parents has scared the shit out of me. 

What to do?

Tis no secret I have three kids.  Three healthy, happy and mostly mental kids.  They started to take over my life the moment they were born.  Most of the time I'm happy with that but sometimes it's bloody annoying.  One of those kids is now 9 years old so he's been around for quite a while.  In fact, I don't think I can really remember what life was like before he came along.  I often wonder what I did with all my free time.  Jesus, I obviously had loads of it, so what I do with it? 

I thought as they got older they would need me less and less.  That's turning out to be not true.  Okay, so they're a lot easier to marshall around the place and definitely no need for bags and buggies and bottles and other things that begin with B.  But still they can stop me having my life for my own.  Most of the time I don't mind but sometimes I do.

What I do mind though is people not understanding how life is not just me anymore.  Jesus, it hasn't been for ages but I've noticed that I'm getting looks now 'cos . . . I dunno.  Different things.  Don't have the money to go out because new shoes are needed (by three).  Don't have time to go out (because there is three of them and two of us and sometimes they have to take precedence).  Don't have the energy for phonecalls the way I used to.  Once upon a time I could spend hours on the phone talking about nothing but now when it rings I sometimes pretend to be asleep.  Mostly because I spend so many hours answering questions on things as diverse as "how do plants eat?" to "Please, please explain dark matter Mam, you've been promising to for years now".  Have been promising that for years.  Just afraid if I answer that question it will lead to another question and I've only read the dark matter bit of the book.  Thanks to the book I know far more about quantum physics than I ever really needed to know. 

So, I get tired.  Don't call.  Don't make it out for whatever reasons and I think it's making me a bad friend in some camps.  Should be brave enough to ask but not brave enough at all.  Can fight like a tiger for most things but for others, nah, just not worth it.  I think all friends with kids should be given a 'grace' period.  One of my favourite people fell out of my life a few (quite a few) years but I waited and then she waited for me and now we get to see each other again.

So, if you're friends have babies.  Give them a bit of understanding.  They still love you but other people have a tighher hold on their hearts.  And time.  And pocket. 

Time to re-begin the ironing.  Three loads and still going strong. 

What an insane weekend and Darren goes 'Raaaah'

Seriously.  First off, Darren shafts me by NOT coming home when he said he would on Frday.  I was meant to be going out with friends, Darren said he'd be home by 8pm but it took my brother in law and his other half to get Darren out of the car.  He was hammered and very, very funny.  He lay on the sofa going 'raaahh', kinda like a pissed dinosaur.  It was funny.  Made me forget I was really annoyed with him.  Plus, I was hoping he'd have a poxy hangover on Saturday.  He didn't btw.

Then yesterday we all got up bright and early and went to Drogheda where a woman I know has opened a cake supplies shop.  It is beautiful.  A real gem of a place.  Her name is Aoife and the shop just zings out from those surrounding it.  Had a bit of a mooch around the area, had some lunch and then drove to Laytown and hung out on the beach.  Building sandcastles and fighting off flies.

Off to Castleknock to get the eldest chap before coming home to speed shower, change, drop D. at a train station (his bro's stag night) and get ready to go out.  Only I didn't get to go out as my bloody babysitter failed to show.  Got a phonecall at about 8.40 which is feck all use really.  Was really pissed off as it's my friend's Clo's hen night.  Yup, my mate is marrying my brother in law.  May have mentioned it before but still quite chuffed with it all.  So me and the eldest chap watched mythbusters until 10.30 before falling into bed.  Only to be woken at 4am by some twat crashing into a wheelie bin outside the house.  Was dead proud of myself as I went to investigate as my normal response would be to hide under the covers with the aid of a monster snorkal.  But, the weather is good, and it was far too hot to be hiding under the covers.   So went to investigate.  Turned on all the big lights and got downstairs to find Darren, drunk again, tring to fathom why the internet was broken????????????????  

Today, up bright and early again and had a truly lovely day.  Went to the the The Brocante Market in Newmarket square (the same place they hold the Dublin Flea and the Mingle Market.  It was lovely.  The same kind've cool people, y'lnow, friendly, helpful, no attitude??  Made even better by the fact that the kids each spent a whopping 20c and got exactly what they wanted (toy car / toy spider / fly goggles and a gun) and I got Darren an old school satchel type bag.  Lovely leather, all worn and loved and only €15.00.  Thing is, I kinda bought it for myself but said it was for him so he couldn't give out about "another bloody bag" but he's really taken a shine to it.  Also bought some sky lanterns and had a lovely evening in Baldoyle setting them free. 

Quick trip to St. Patrick's Cathedral where we didn't go inside as it would have cost us over €15 so instead we had lunch outside.  Harry, whilst wearing his fly goggles, wandered up to a complete strange lying on the grass and said to him "Are you near or far?".  Don't know what he thought but me and D. nearly wet ourselves.  He thought the man was us.  God knows what the man thought, as said, but it was very, very funny.  Even my lovely, sensitive Harry saw the funny side and had a giggle.

Point Market, no Emily's Icecream so we left.

Baldoyle via Butchers, where we finally got our pork belly, where we spent a very enjoyable afternoon and evening just chilling in the sunshine, eating ham sambos and playing with bb guns.  It was bliss.  We then set off some of our sky lanterns and they were every bit as lovely as they were in Kerry.  Defo impressed the old man.  I always have to impress the old man. 

Yup.  A cracker of a day and I loved every minute of it.

So tired I'm shaking

Don't you hate that feeling?  Probably not the best day to give blood but today is a 'big' blood day for me as I get a present for donating so many pints and I want my present.  Am a child at heart.

Yesterday Arthur hissed at Oscar "Don't make me break your lego".  I thought he'd said 'don't make me break your legs' so . . . well, 10/10 for creativity. 

No other news really.  Spent a great day in PJ's with Carol and my three and the borrowed one.  Have to say, Harry is worth his weight in gold (sometimes).  He played all day with the little kids and did so without getting stressed.  We also managed to have lunch there which saved a load of hassle and running around - for Carol, I might add, as it was her we were visiting.  Remember Carol?  The friend who brings sugar on a picnic for me?  Her.

What else?  Nowt.  I'm genuinely shattered.  Nearly shaking with the effort to keep moving.  That can't be good.  Wedding cake to help with and blood to give (nevermind library books to be returned and school books to be collected).  Cheerio so.  Going to clean kitchen and think about the other stuff.  Then have a quick cup of tea and breakfast (for tea) and go give blood.  Shit, just worked out why I'm shaking.  I'm bloody hungry.  How'd I not notice that??

Oscar's Sunflowers

Isn't it lovely?  Oscar planted lots and lots of sunflowers this year.  He's trying to beat the one Harry grew when he was three.  Unfortunately we didn't plant Giant sunflowers but I still think it's gorgeous.

I'm booooooooooored - all three!!

Over the course of yesterday I heard the above expression I don't know how many times.  Appaently we do nothing and it's boring!!

Let's see?:

Monday:  Went to Belvedere House with the kids and spent a good 3 hours running around before going to see their uncle Graham and Conail's new house.  Hooking up with their nana and granddad on the way.

Tuesday:  Okay, so this was a boring day.  Ordered all the school books online, sorted uniforms etc. etc.

Wednesday:  Started off with taking Billy to the beach, spent 2 hours here just running up and down, castle building, ball throwing etc.  Then we went to see some friends in Malahide playground, there for 3 hours with lots of fun to be had.  THEN, yes, THEN we went to Dundrum to see Raiders of the Lost Ark, good movie and great food.

Thursday:  We went to the zoo for the ENTIRE day.

Friday:  Chilling out now, before heading to a barbeque where the kids got to eat a load of rubbish and bounce on a bouncy castle until very late indeed.

Satruday:  Clara Lara - see previous post.

Sunday:  Woken up, me, by delicious smells of cooking which turned out to be breakfast in bed for me.  Shame I only had 10 minutes to eat it as we were off out to see Shrek 4.

Then, after all that.  After a PACKED week I hear 'I'm bored'.  Bastards.

Are we there yet?

Today, after hours of meticulous planning, i.e. 4 quick phone calls, we made it to Clara Lara.  We were there an hour or so when Arthur uttered the above question.  Seriously!!

Had an absolute blast.  Will never use Sat Nav to find ANYTHING in Ireland again as the frickin' thing sent me through the Sally Gap.  You ever been through the Sally Gap?  It's a gap alright.  So very, very narrow.  Anyway, kids had a laugh.  Arthur, whilst I went to the loo, decided to teach himself to swim by throwing himself into the pond the same way Harry's using it above.  Stupid fecker.  Seriously - he said to me, between tears, that he wanted to teach himself how to swim and he thought jumping into the water would be a good place to start. Aaaaagh. 

Poor C., she took out her flask and offered everyone a coffee only to discover that her flask had shattered and distroyed her clothes.  The most expensive t-shirt she has ever bought is now a delightful shade of, er, coffee. 

What else?  I pushed Michael and Liam in.  Ciaran tried to push me in - no chance.  Myself and Anna rowed around the lake twice in the time it took Liam, Harry and Ciaran to work out what an oar was.  The best bit of that being I DIDN'T FALL IN THIS YEAR!!!  Wouldn't have minded though as THIS YEAR I had spare clothes. 

It was brilliant.  I love hanging out with these women and I love that our kids all get on so well (can you imagine the nightmare if they didn't?).

The drive home was VERY interesting.  As I had used the sat nav to get there I needed the straightforward way home.  An equally pretty route but not so narrow and not so bloody bendy.  So, as she was leaving at the same time, I asked Anna if I could follow her?  We live around the corner after all etc. etc.  Jesus, but that woman drives like someone possessed.  I don't think, like Darren, she understands what it is to be showing someone the way home.  Y'know, you take it easy.  Indicate in time.  Take IT SLOWLY.  She drove like she was trying to shake me off!!!  Trying to lose me and all that.  She drives FAST.  Really FAST.  It was like something out of the movie Speed.  'If you drop below (in this case) 100kph the car blows up'.   At one point, somehow, I was in front of her and a good way in front of her and I could see her creeping up behind me until she was just one car away.  Anna BULLIED the driver over into the other lane.  Don't know if I was more nervous with her in front of me or behind me.  We both made it home safely.  Love her.  Great day.  Great food.  Good weather and Great friends for everyone involved.

Reebok EasyTone Commercial

I don't know why but for some reason I really 100% believe that if I own these trainers the VERY fact that I own these trainers will mean that I too have an arse and legs like those in the ad. What's that all about. I'm not joking. I believe that if I buy these I too can shimmy and shake my arse and look every bit as glorious as the girls in the ad. I wish, I wish, I wish. Fuck it, think I'll buy them and see if that's what happens. Yup. That's what I'm going to do. Next time you see me you won't know me 'cos I'll be hoovering and cycling and waitressing and all whilst looking F. I. T. Happy days x

Darren, had to post this.

My lovely hubbie is a sarky bastard online.  Seriously.  He's, what I call, a key merchant.  So, should you be one of the many people who fall foul of his incredibly high standards, this is what he looks like when he's giving you a bollocking:

Maureen's Coffee Cake - as made by Harry

At the last supper club we were given a delicious coffee cake for dessert.  It looks much better if you have tins with fluted edges but I don't so . . .  Also, I changed the recipe slightly (shall but those changes in brackets ) as I prefer butter in icing and I only had Camp coffee (no coffee drinkers in our house).  It still tasted great so a big huge thank you to Aedin's mam for cutting it out of a magazine all those years ago. 

For the Cake

8oz margarine
8oz castor sugar
4 eggs, large
8oz self-raising flour
2 level tsp baking powder

For the Icing
5oz margarine ( I used butter, unsalted )
10oz icing sugar
2 tbsp coffee essence ( I used 4 tbsp Camp coffee )

To make cake: Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and beat with wooden spoon until well mixed (2-3 mins), I use an electric beater. Divide mixture evenly between two greased and bottom-lined round 8" cake tins. Bake in centre of pre-heated oven (325F, Gas no.3, 160C) for 45 mins. Turn out and cool.

To make icing: Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and beat together until well mixed (2-3 mins). Sandwich cakes together with a little icing, and spread remainder over sides and top. I put a lot in middle but none on sides!

We all went to the zoo today

Jaysus, mental day.  Today myself and Carol had arranged to go to the zoo.  It's kinda shit that we only get to hook up once a week now.  Before we used to live in each other's houses but that was before school runs and all that jazz.  'That jazz' being football practice, swimming lessons etc. etc.  Anyway, we agreed to leave our houses at, I had suggested 10am, 11am.  So got up and started thinking about getting a picnic together when Carol rang to say she was good to leave.  At NINE BLOODY FORTY FIVE!!!!!!  Seriously???  Carol is never ready to go when she says she is.  But today she was.  Rang her and said 'what?Now?For real?' and the like and she said calm down.  Get what you need and I'll give you a shout when you're leaving.  So, without panicing too much I loaded the dishwasher and put on the washing machine, gathered the guts of a picnic, got four kids into the car and one dog out of it and then I went to Spar to buy bread and the kinda goodies I can't keep in the house because everyone keeps eating them.  (Remember when you were a kid and your ma would say 'I'm not going to keep buying this if everyone keeps eating it'?  Well, I am now that mammy.  So fricking annoying to go to get something to eat to find nothing but empty packets and jars, grrrrr).

Got to the zoo, which was heaving, at 11.10 and rang Carol to see where she was.  I presumed she was in the same car park as me.  Not!!  She was standing outside her unidentical twin sister's house.  Inside the house was one very small, very subdued little girl (Keelin, aged nearly 2) who had just had a cold shower (and rightly deserved) as she had tipped a tin of paint over herself.  A lovely shade of paint I might add.  Oh, should point out that she only had a cold shower because there was no hot water left and she needed that paint off now, NOT because her ma is completely and utterly heartless.

Lots of 'doh's' all around and then Carol hit the road and me and the boys just hung around the car.  We hooked up at 11.40 and into the zoo where we got to bypass the h-u-g-e queue (we're zoo members - no smart comments please) and we saw the pigs, cows, elephants, sheep and . .  orangutans.  The zoo was so busy we bypassed a lot of the animals.  We did have a lovely picnic and Carol (who is always organised) produced two Orla Kiely mugs and a flask of hot water and teabags.  She also had milk but the best bit was SHE BROUGHT SUGAR JUST FOR ME!  Isn't she great?  Seriously.  Everyone should have a Carol in their life. 

We were then mortified when Arthur screamed out "look at my big cock" across the picnic area.  He was sitting on a big wooden cockerel and once we'd picked ourselves up we got to chill for a while.

What else?  We found one lost child and managed to reunite it, with the help of an animal keeper, with his group.  Then when we were leaving (cos we were very stressed about the sheer nunbers of people in the zoo) I bumped into a mum who had lost her son.  Whilst I was waiting a child was brought to her only to be told 'no, that's not my one'.  Deadly.  So.  Another lost kid. 

Shattered now.  Yesterday kids got to go to the beach for a big run (mostly chasing Billy who refused to understand the very bloody nature of throw/fetch/drop the ball) then we went to Malahide Castle where we met up with some good mates THEN we went to Dundrum where we saw Raiders of the Lost Ark outdoors in Dundrum Shopping Centre.  Got home at 9.15pm completley and utterly knackered and cold through and through.  Kids are having a great time.  Can't believe summer holidays are over in three weeks.  Three weeks and it's back to the grind.  Okay, I give out about not having a minute to myself when they're on their hols but I do love not having any real timetable.

Oooh, just remembered.  Me and Carol are thinking of going camping with the SIX kids.  Fun and games.  Must get advice on tent building or pegging or whatever it is you do with them.

For those who ask "Would you not go again?"

My good pal, Carol, was telling me today of a friend of hers who has a friend (promise this isn't some mental urban myth thing) who has three sons.  She decided that she would try again for a girl and if it's a boy, sure no problem.  Healthy baby equals happy days.  She got pregant with naturally conceived QUADS!!!  My favourite bit being . . . .  they're all boys!!!  Apparently she's still crying.  Though I'm sure it's more from the shock of carrying four babes than having boys.  Can you imagine?  Seven children.  The three that are already there are steps and stairs and now they, touch wood, are going to have four baby brothers. 

Yup.  I'm done.  To the person who said to me when I was pregnant with Arthur 'What will you do if it's a boy?' I say. . . . hmmm?  What do I say?  Nowt I guess, I have three magic sons and that's good enough for me.  Always was and imagine it always will be. 

Supper Club - Night 2, Aedin's House

Last Fri was flat out helping Lo. make her wedding cake.  Not her wedding cake but a cake she was making for someone else.  Was determined to go out and determined I was driving but that was scuppered by Anna who said I'd be very boring if I didn't go and have a drink with them.  Talk about peer pressure??? 

It was a blast.  Had a great time.  As usual Aedin wound me up and as usual I reacted.  She made foo yung?  Aaagh, it's that lovely meat dish that you make and then wrap in lettuce leaves?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Either way, it was delicious.  Was too polite to go for a fourth one but yummy.  Me and Aedin then had this mad chat where we discovered that we both kiss ous husbands mostly to annoy the kids.  When does that happen?  When do you stop going weak at the knees for the man in your life and only kiss him when the kids are present to gross them out?  Thankfully me and D. are not the only disturbed ones in this game.

Really cool as well to sit with women who think like you and remind you that they do stupid things too like . . .leave their kids in the car when they go to meet a friend for coffee.  Okay, okay, the baby was new.  She was in a different car where the baby could only go in the back.  heheheh, she still left him in the car though.  Makes me feel better for locking the borrowed child into the car with the free locusts.  (That would be locusts that escaped from their box as opposed to locusts that came free with something - I sound like gift grub's Keith Duffy now ).  More chat, great wine, fab desserts (one was a really nice coffee cake that looked like a coffee cake that you make) and fab, wonderful company.  So glad I started this as I know I'm normal.  I forget that sometimes, that I can't be the only mother who looks at her kids and dispairs of ever getting it right. 

There were so many other stories from that night and you'll have to decide yourself if I've forgotten or being nice to those concerned. 

Grumble, grumble

Arthur has just come downstairs.  Grunbling and peeved that he's awake.  He wasn't asked to get up and I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE BEEN IN BED UNTIL THIS HOUR.  Harumph, he should go back to the bed, grumpy scut.  I would.  Actually, now that I think of it, he very much reminds me of, well, me!?

Congratulations

My lovely cousin, Nathalie, and her hubby Mike have just had another baby boy.  Rohan, born last night at 10.26 and weighing in at 7lb 6oz (3.35kg to us) and he looks lovely.  Big brother Finn delighted but more interested in someone giving him a slice of toast.

Zzzzzz

It's 8.35 on a school holiday Tuesday and I'm up and awake and I really want to be in bed and asleep.  We ran the legs off the kids yesterday in Belvedere House and . . .  why are they up?  I know I'd have to get up for the borrowed one but he's happy to just play cars with me.  Mine, that are awake, really want me to interact and explain why Luke's light sabre is blue instead of green in episode 6.  Thing is, I neither know nor care at this point in time.  All I can think about is my lovely comfy leaba.  Which has Arthur sleeping in it.  Supoose I might as well start loading the washing machine.  Emptying the dishwasher.  Aaaagh, housework starts for the week once I stand up.  More invisible work.  Must go to the supermarket too and get school books and uniforms.  The worst thing is, school holidays are OVER in four weeks???  Then it's back to normal.  Crap. 

Toy Shops

There is a well known toy shop just up the road and around the corner from our house and I f**king hate it.  If I am asked ONE MORE time if we can go to bloody smyths I may scream.  "I don't want you to buy me anything, I just want to go look" - Arthur.  "Er, yeah!!!" - Me.  I HATE THAT SHOP.  I miss the days where only department stores had toy departments and, even then, they only really had toys at christmas.  I think I dislike Smyths as much as I dislike Apple right now. 

Altho-u-g-h Darren gave me the go-ahead (as one must get these days when making big purchases) to buy myself an ipod touch.  But I swear to Jesus that if it dies in three years I'll have Steve Jobs head!!!

I got published!!

So exciting.  One of my cakes (the one for one of my VERY best friends Anna) was published today in a cake magazine.  Yay.  I get 15 minutes of fame amongst my cake making peers.  Wonder if they hate cake as much as I do right now? 

Apparently, Anna's handbag has the 'pick up and use me quality' that is so often missing in other handbag cakes!!!  Cool or what?