Friends are Special*

The Irishman and I made some great friends during our days working at the summer camp. One of the moments that stands out is this one. It was the last night of camp and a group of us decided that we wanted to go to the beach to watch the sunrise.

(Old enough that it is a scanned photo from back when panoramic photos were the thing to do!)

One of the girls from the picture has family who live in South Florida. We have gotten together several times in the last few years when she comes to town. This trip she invited us to her grandparent’s condo for a swim.

Caitlin was taken with the waterfall and dancing water we passed on the way across A1A to the oceanside clubhouse.

It looks posed, but she sat like that all on her own!

I took my camera along, but we were too busy visiting and chasing kids to remember to take any photos. The view was amazing. Jennifer had her mom take this one with her iPhone for us.

It is always great to get to catch up with friends!

Thank you to Jennifer, her mom, and her grandmother for having us over!

~~~~~~~

* The name of the post is the title of a song Caitlin likes to sing us. Funny stories to tell - more about that later this week!

Her New 'Do

Friday our local kids’ salon was offering a special price through FB. We’d been talking about getting Caitlin’s haircut and that was all the motivation we needed.

Don’t let the serious face fool you. She was thrilled when we picked her up from school and told her she was getting her hair cut. In fact we stopped at the store on the way there and she started to cry because she wanted a haircut!

Sean was happy to come along. He got to sit in the chair without a haircut. He considers that a win-win!

The Irishman and I had been talking about getting her hair cut shorter and then the hairdresser said she thought a bob would be adorable on Caitlin. That was all the motivation we needed.

They painted her nails with pink glitter. She got to sit in the panda chair. They added beads and a small braid to her finished hairdo. She was thrilled.

(Not that she would let me do any of that to her hair! We decided to go shorter because she won’t even let me brush it regularly!)

We are thrilled with the way it came out!

I have a feeling the next time we are there

will be for this little guy!

11 Months

Sean hit the 11 month marker back on July 1st. I cannot believe that he is going to be a year old in less than a month!



Our little guy has grown up so much this month! He is loving table food and is just starting the transition to whole milk. His favorites include banana yogurt, banana puffs, and meatballs. The Irishman and I each thought we’d told the day care it was okay to start him on table food. His teacher stopped us a couple of weeks ago and asked if it would be okay. It seems Sean had been watching the other kids longingly eat table food as he ate his baby food. Poor guy! He is much happier now.



He is going to be a climber. He has already mastered getting onto Caitlin's bed and the couch. While he hasn’t taken any steps yet, he has started standing unassisted and scooting along holding the side of the couch. His new favorite thing to do is to stand at the sliding glass doors and make faces at Daddy outside. You can hear him through the glass laughing and giggling!



The tooth count is at four. Sean is the slowest teether I’ve ever met! The poor guy must have more on the way though because he has been drooling and chewing on his finger for weeks now. Saturday night he was up for several hours. I am hoping it is his teeth and not his ears bugging him. We have been doing better with the ears, but I suspect it is just a matter of time before he ends up with tubes.



Sean is a flirt. His grin will make you melt. He is a true sweetie. Everyone he meets declares him a “good baby” and we’d have to agree.



Sean really has been a blessing to our family. We love watching him grow!




For comparison, here is Caitlin at 11 Months. It is funny because I remember her as being more sturdy and solid at that age, but she looks so dainty here.



Speaking of his sister, Sean and Caitlin are interacting more and more. Caitlin is happy to speak of for her brother when it suits her. For example when we tell her she has to pick one of something she will decide that she wants “this one” and “I think Seanie wants this one.” When Sean has a toy she wants she will announce “Look I think Seanie wants to give it to me. Thank you Seanie!”

For his part, Sean is watching his older sister like a hawk. He wants to know what she is doing at all times and he tries to mimic her. When he does have a turn with whatever toy it is he often hands it back to her because he wants to see what it is she has moved onto next. If she has it, he wants it! He is figuring out his role as little brother!



Next month brings a birthday celebration of his own…though I’m sure he will have a certain someone there to help him blow out the candles! ; )

Fun on the Fourth

We had a laid back holiday yesterday. The only thing on the agenda was a trip to the beach. You wouldn’t know it from yesterday’s post, but we were chased off the sand by a storm no more than 20 minutes after the pictures were taken.

The rest of the day was spent hanging around the house. The kids played with bath paint and we all took naps. The Irishman prepared a BBQ feast. It was lovely!



After dinner we spread a blanket, played some patriotic music from Morgan’s phone, and lit a few sparklers. It wasn’t much, but our kids are 11 months and 2 and a half. It was perfect for now. (Just ask Caitlin who told Grammy all about the fireworks!)

They loved watching Daddy,

and being goofy together!

It was a perfect end to the day!

Happy Independence Day!

Friends from Far Away

I got a FB message almost a year ago from my friend Mauree saying that she and her family would be coming to our area on vacation. It was so long ago that I thought it was a mistake – they’d come many years ago and I thought it was an old message. I was thrilled to find out they were really coming!

We met up twice. The pictures are backwards, but that’s okay. I’ve been slacking in the photo department. I love this one of Miles pushing Sean.

We met up at one of our favorite parks. We explored the science exhibits. The train was a favorite – Mauree took those pictures.

We rode the carousel…but just the bench.

We played on the playground.

I don’t have any pictures of the water feature. I feared for my camera while the water cannon was in use!

The Sunday before was a rainy miserable day. We met up for dinner and I tried to get a picture of the kiddos. I love that you have the boys smiling, but not Caitlin…

Then they switch…

And then we make faces.

It was great to see Mauree and her family! Caitlin is asking for Miss Mauree already. We are hoping we don’t have to wait so long to see each other again!

Silly Sean

It is only 7am but already this day seems to be on a less than desirable path. It seems the perfect day to post a video of a giggling baby.

Because a giggling baby makes everything better!

My Dad

(The Irishman put this blog together all by himself – today is all about my father-in-law as we send birthday wishes and happy thoughts across the pond for his big day!)

Today is my Dad’s birthday. He hits the magical 70 today and I wanted to write a guest blog to surprise him when he turns on the computer back home in Ireland.



Dad loves Blackrock and when the tide is in, there is no finer sight than “the back of the Castle”



We have gone on some amazing trips and could tell you all some great stories!



The World Cup in 1990 is still a trip that we will never forget. Even now, I have managed to teach Caitlin all of the words to “Put ‘em under Pressure” and no doubt Sean will soon follow.




We have gone to a fair number of matches, whether it is hurling or football, and no doubt we have had many a conversation about others!





Dad is always willing to do his best to put a smile on your face. He would never normally wear a football jersey, but his arm was twisted on this occasion. How many times have he watched a football match only to have to leave the room when it gets too exciting at the end. And people wonder where I get that from!





Even though I am a whole ocean away from home, I know that Mam and Dad are all only a phone call away. Whether it is news from Jenny and the kids, work or a match on the television, they are always there. No doubt Mam will make a sherry trifle for the party this evening, and it will be a great day. If I can turn out to be half as good a dad with my kids, as my Dad has been with me, I’ll have done alright.

Jenny, Caitlin, Sean and I all send our love.

Happy Birthday Dad (Granda)!