Ahead of schedule for once, I have finished the reading challenge I set myself a few years ago. The idea was to get back in the habit of reading novels. Decent novels, not chick lit and holiday reads. The kind of books I wanted to read. The kind of books I used to read. The… Continue reading Reading Challenge – 40 Down, None To Go
Counting the days till school starts? Dreading the lunch making and uniform washing? Living for the return of routine and early nights? Whatever your own personal back-to-school mindset may be, know that I am a few steps ahead of you and here to help. Over here school started back on the insanely early date of… Continue reading Keeping It Cool for Back-to-School (Too cheesey? Sorry)
At times it seems to me that this blog of mine is one big to do list. A letter of intent to myself, if you like. In various post on various topics I have vowed, hoped and planned. Less rushing, more chilling, some redecorating, more documenting life. I’ve gone on record with goals, aims and… Continue reading Realisation, Fruition and Other Such Words
When I was small we had a book called Frog and Toad are Friends, written by Arnold Lobel. It was one of my favourites. I remember well being read it by my dad and so it is one of the books I bought for my own children. I ordered it in English from our local… Continue reading Books – My Children’s Favourites
As a child I had no problem with school. I was bright and did what I was told. After having my children and seeing how bright and eager to learn they were, I assumed they would be like me when it came to school. They’re not. Not much anyway. Week after week there are struggles… Continue reading After School Home Schooling, Unofficially
It is no secret that we go to County Mayo in Ireland on holidays almost every year. Since Number One and Number Two have arrived at an age where we can go to a museum and not have to listen to “I’m sooooo boooorrred!” for the duration of the visit, we try to get to… Continue reading Easter Events at Ballycroy National Park
March. March! Part of me is screaming “How is it March already? How?” while another part of me is yelling “Yay, Spring at last!”. My favourite season has arrived. There is not much I can do about January and February having flown by, so I am embracing Spring. The weather may not have picked up… Continue reading March – Spring – Styling The Seasons
Languages play a big role in our family life. It is largely due to circumstance – we’re an Irish-German marriage – but partly due to interest. I was brought up by parents who adore France and all things French. When I was small my mother would often say “Oui mon ange” instead of a plain… Continue reading Adding A Little Je Ne Sais Quoi To Your Home
Ever since Number One was very small, I have been on the lookout for books in Irish (gaelic) for him, and later for his younger brothers. Over the years we picked up a few here and there while on holiday in Ireland. None fit my criteria. The books I saw on sale were either too… Continue reading Toddler-Friendly Irish Books
“Muck, bow, kuneen, shunnuk. OK?” says Number One, jabbing at his placemat. “Now can I have some cake?” he asks. I’ve introduced Irish (Gaelic) by buying new placemats. At school I wasn’t much fussed about Irish but my secondary school teacher was. She was very encouoraging and I ended up doing surprisingly well in my… Continue reading Learning Irish At The Table
