Little Hare

Someone I plan to get to know a bit better...

2012-01-15T22:26:00.001Z

today is the feast day of St Ita, who established a community not far from where we lived. More to follow....

2011-12-23T12:02:00.002Z

In the midst of a grotty, mess-filled house, with visitors on the way and frustration giving way to panic, I came across these guys. Can you see? Roo has put a little blanket on the donkey's back, unbeknownst to me.
I'm trying very hard to keep focussed on the really important thing. This little action has helped for this particular moment.

don't you just love it?

2011-12-19T12:44:00.004Z

as mentioned in my previous post.... the amazing, the incredible, the fantastic inflatable Nativity scene! Lee thinks it is really tasteless, but it made me and the lads laugh, especially Toot, who was in fits of giggles as Poonch repeatedly knocked the sheep over. Roo is just out of shot, patting one of the Three Kings, possibly because that was the part he played in the school Nativity play this year.

A little glimpse...

2011-12-19T12:39:00.001Z

into the stable. Every year the village of Adare recreates a live Crib with real people and real animals.
Last year we planned to take part, but the weather meant that it was cancelled. This year it went ahead and we enjoyed pretending we were in Bethlehem. On the way there we saw an amazing inflatable Nativity!

Really struggling to keep this in mind...

2011-12-19T12:29:00.001Z

Pondering the most important things !

...and finding it hard to believe that this time last year, the tree was decorated, the house was tidy with food for our guests and I had a 4 month old baby to tend to.

Happy Baptism anniversary, little Toot!

Feeling just a bit overwhelmed this year with everything that still needs to be done.

A Helping Hand on Tuesday

2011-12-14T00:09:00.001Z

As my little crochet hook twirled and looped this morning in my fabulous class at Lena's, I was a bit ashamed of the state of my hands.
Freezing rain and biting winds have conspired with frequent handwashing in the most limescale-ridden water known to man to make them look and feel like those of a Victorian washerwoman. Or perhaps those of St Martha looked similar too?
In any case, I have promised my lámha a dollop of handcream whenever they get wet from now on.
Thank you Lee for minding the bookles. x

St Nicholas Tuesday

2011-12-06T18:35:00.001Z

Another busy Tuesday worthy of the Biblical Martha today. As you can see our little candle has the delightful company of some Playmobil people this evening.
We have been celebrating the feast of the real Santa Claus since early this morning when we discovered mince pie crumbs, new slippers and chocolate in the living room. Of course the lads are only too pleased to honour such a generous saint but I was a bit worried as to how Roo's classmates would respond to his visiting our house so 'early'. Sometimes homeschooling really appeals to me... But I don't think he had too much explaining to do.
By the way, the Irish for Santa/ St Nicholas is San Nioclás which sounds like san nee claws, so it's easy to see how the 3rd century Bishop of Myra's name evolved over time although how he ended up in the North Pole and acquired a Mrs Claus is a bit harder to explain!

Novena prayer

2011-11-30T17:35:00.001Z

Here is the Christmas novena prayer:

Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment

in which the Son of God

was born of the most pure Virgin Mary,

at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.

In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God!

to hear my prayer and grant my desires,

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,

and of His Blessed Mother.

Amen.

Christmas Novena reminder for me and you!

2011-11-30T17:18:00.003Z

Mum just phoned to remind me about St Andrew's Day and the beginning of the Christmas Novena. Funny, I was just looking for the post I wrote about it two years ago when she rang.

Praying the beautiful prayer fifteen times a day between now and Christmas helps to re-focus your mind on what this time of year is really about. It's easy to get stressed around now and for example, our trip to Tesco this morning was a more crowded one than usual. The lads were very well-behaved and certainly earned their big generous slice of cake from Pauline, braving the cold with her yummy creations in the market outside.

Martha Tuesday

2011-11-29T22:24:00.003Z

Just coming to the end of another busy Tuesday here. It only occurred to me today that it is appropriate for me that Tuesday is the day earmarked for the novena to St Martha, because they have been very full and hectic the last couple of weeks and Martha is remembered for being that wan in da Bible who was really consumed with her domestic tasks, so much so that she neglected to spend time listening to Jesus.

The Novena prayer and the little candle that I light reminds me to pray. It can be so easy to lose sight of what is really important, especially at this time of year.

Here is the prayer in case you'd like to join in:

I ask you St Martha, by your intercession to help me in overcoming my difficulties and to teach me to become great in the Kingdom of Heaven by becoming as humble as you in this world.

O St Martha, I resort to you and to your petition and faith.

I offer up to you this light which I shall burn every Tuesday for nine Tuesdays.

Comfort me in all my difficulties through the great favour you enjoyed when our Saviour lodged in your house.

I beseech you to have definite pity in regard to the favour I ask (mention it).

Intercede for my family that we may always be provided for in all our necessities.

I ask you St Martha to overcome the dragon which you cast at your feet.

Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys and light a candle every Tuesday (and tell other people about it;)

2011-11-24T23:20:00.004Z

This post from Maria Stops Abortion sums up exactly how I felt when I read about the 'tragic' abortion 'mix-up' in Australia. There's no doubt there is a huge tragedy here. The parents and clinicians involved are suffering greatly and need lots of support and prayers. But how messed-up (actually feel like using a much stronger description) is our society that the media fails to see how aborting the so-called 'sick' child would be just as much a tragedy? And what about the 'healthy' children that are aborted deliberately every day? Presumably their deaths wouldn't be considered tragic by the media either? The fact is, abortion is always a tragedy, whether intentional or not.

I don't normally blog about these things, I try to keep things positive and avoid posting when I am angry or sad. I know though that we need to speak up about these things. And this evening I was so stunned by the way this was reported and the language used I couldn't contain it.

Tuesday

2011-11-22T17:07:00.001Z

I suppose there are some good things about the evenings getting ever shorter. I love the twinkly light from the candle on my sinkside shrine. At last week's Mission I picked up a little prayer card to St Martha only to discover there is a devotion to her on Tuesdays.
So today I added her Novena prayer to that of St Anthony whose Tuesday devotions are better known.
So far today has been very busy, zooming from school to Playschool to class in town to Lee to playschool to school to playschool again. May not have been the best day to start a new crochet class, but it worked out ok and now we are home again cosy and safe with the night drawing in around us.

2011-11-10T12:53:00.001Z

I have a chatty little chappy riding shotgun with me today. He decided he'd like to sit there in the booster seat instead of his usual seat in the back. And why not? It's a small little thing that means a lot to a 'tomato-staked' child who needs lots of attention at the moment. All the better to spot exciting things like doggies, rainbows and 'ambulips'.

2011-11-06T14:15:00.002Z

Kilkenny castle from the bridge over the river Nore.

Kilkenny stroll

2011-11-06T14:04:00.002Z

Tootling about with lollies in hand

Lollies in the sunshine

2011-11-06T13:51:00.002Z

2011-11-02T22:44:00.002Z

November is a very important month for the Holy Souls. Until the 8th November we can gain a special grace (plenary indulgence) for the poor souls in purgatory if the following guidelines are followed:

1) To visit a cemetery and say any prayer for the deceased (the person does not need to actually be buried in that particular cemetery).
2) To be in the state of grace when the work is accomplished.
3) To go to confession.
4) To pray for the Holy Father (an Our Father and Hail Mary, as well as the Creed or the Glory Be, are the traditional prayers).
5) To receive communion devoutly.
6) To be free from all attachment to sin (even venial sin).
Note: Communion should be received on the day or near the day in which the visit to the cemetery is made. Confession may be made several days before or after (and one confession suffices for multiple indulgences [but communion must be received for each plenary indulgence]).
Finally: Only one plenary indulgence may be gained each day (excepting in the case of the moment of death, when a second may be acquired).

You can read more about it here.

2011-11-02T18:24:00.003Z

This lovely image is from the fab Happy Saints website. They also have a lovely group picture for yesterday's feast of All Saints. See how many saints you can recognise.

...and the REALLY important news...

2011-11-01T23:15:00.001Z

is that the Little Toot is walking!! Properly! Hooray!

Happy Saints Day!

2011-11-01T21:05:00.014Z

We had a full and happy day today to celebrate All Saints' Day. First Roo tried on the wings we made yesterday for his St Michael costume and ran around the house in them. Really they are magnificent, but I can't take the credit for them. I found an excellent how-to on MakerMama's blog that even I could follow. And Roo enjoyed helping with the cutting out. He is really proud of his wings! I'll try and post a picture of them soon.

Next the lads and I went to Mass in the Abbey. I don't think I've been in sole charge of all three of them at Mass before and I was a bit nervous as to how I would manage them. (Usually Lee is there too, of course and even then it's hard work.) But actually it was fine. Poonch refrained from singing Bob the Builder during the Proclamation of Faith, or shouting 'No!' at the top of his voice during the sermon. Toot fell asleep in the sling and Roo followed the Mass quietly in his little Picture Missal while wondering why the priest was wearing white today. Nothing gets past him. Post-Mass Chupa Chups lollies were a well-deserved treat.

It was a beautiful day. The sun shone as if the Saints were all smiling down from Heaven, so instead of going straight home, we visited the graveyard next to the church, Poonch clutching two handsful (handfuls?) of leaves. That's his thing at the moments. Leaves. The muddier the better.

When we got home the older lads went in and out of character as an archangel and a fireman (that is Poonch wore his Fireman Sam hat a lot). Toot decided to give his acclaimed lion suit a rest for today so it would be clean for visiting our lovely friend tomorrow. After putting about three days' worth of washing out (contented sigh) we made Rice Krispie marshmallow cakes and swords, apparently the weapon of choice for archangels these days, after the Rosary of course. My word, melted marshmallow must be the stickiest thing known to man. I wonder if they could find some industrial use for it. It also has a spooooooky cobwebby quality that makes it very appropriate for this time of year. We ate them along with a little Victoria sandwich I made with strawberry jam and cream after dinner.

In other news, Toot used a spoon by himself today, happily scooping up Baked Beans with great accuracy. And Lee dressed up as St Leonard. No. I made that last one up. He does an impression of St Leonard most days anyway.

Good news and weathering the storms

2011-10-29T06:56:00.005+01:00

It's been an uppy-downy few days in the Little Hare household. Actually, more downy-uppy. Three days ago was one of those days from Hell that starts off with little irritations that just multiply and snowball all day as more frustrations join them and then towards the end of the day some actual disasters decide to pop along for good measure.

Since then it's been much better. The following day dawned bright and clear. I had an 'early' appointment in the hospital to find out the results from the operation I had last month. After the now-traditional long wait, (well, you'd miss it if they didn't do it to you, wouldn't you?) I was called into the room where the consultant was joined by two student doctors, one with a beard that couldn't hide his sweet innocent young face. Then I was told something definitely worth waiting for, namely, 'it's only good news.' Yippee! No sign of cancer! My scar had its photo taken and I glided out of the hospital on a cloud. Outside, the sky never seemed bluer, the sun shone and I made interior vows to change my ways and always be cheerful and kind and patient... until the needle veered off the record when a phone call from Lee brought me back to reality.

On the way back to the car I called into the Hospital chapel and found a little prayer card to Fr Patrick Peyton, aka the Rosary Priest from Co. Mayo. There was a prayer for his beatification on the prayer card, so I started praying it for the latest crisis. Fr Peyton was born in Co. Mayo, (where we spent a very happy week earlier this year) but he became famous all over the world and coined the phrase, 'the family that prays together, stays together'.

...

2011-10-26T22:43:00.001+01:00

And we're off!

2011-10-20T10:47:00.001+01:00

Well it was a bit of a palaver- the arrival of colder weather always makes leaving the house a big production- but we are all toastied up and off for a walk/snooze in the very fresh air.

2011-10-19T15:49:00.001+01:00

A sunny start to the day here. Cold though, a real nip in the air now. Boots and cosy coat weather.

On this day in 2008, the parents of St Thérèse, Louis and Zélie Martin, were declared Blessed. They are the first spouses in the history of the Church to be proposed for sainthood as a couple and an example to all of us who choose married life.

Here is the prayer for their canonisation:

Prayer for the Canonisation of Louis and Zélie Martin and to obtain favours through their intercession:

God Our Father, I thank You for having given us Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of St. Therese. United and faithful in marriage, they have left us an example of Christian living and evangelical virtue. In raising a large family through trials, suffering and bereavement, they put their trust in You and always sought Your will.

Deign, Lord, to make known your will in their regard and grant the favour I ask, in the hope that the father and mother of St. Therese of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face, may soon be canonised and thereby held up to the Universal Church as model for the families of our time. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen

(Here mention your request)

The 'Great' Southern Greenway?

2011-10-16T20:12:00.002+01:00

We had endured a long and car-bound journey yesterday which resulted in disrupted sleep and a couple of crotchety youngsters this morning. So a walk in the fresh air was just the (railway) ticket this afternoon. Roo cycled and Poonch walked much of the way along the disused railway which apart from us and two dog walkers was still abandoned today in spite of the bright autumn sunshine.

This restored walkway/cycle track is perhaps a well-kept secret. Today was our first time to walk there, but we spent a half- afternoon looking for the start of the trail earlier this Summer. All there was to mark it was a pixie-sized sign with GSG hand-written on it on the grass verge opposite. Not sure why it isn't better sign-posted. Maybe it is a work in progress as it would be great if it could be as good as its Northern counterpart in Mayo. I have a feeling though that even if the will was there, the funds probably aren't anymore.

In a way though, it was nice to have it all to ourselves. (Especially when I was pedalling Roo's pint-sized bike like a mad thing.)

2011-10-12T21:59:00.004+01:00

On a more positive note, I was pleased to come across some parenting tips from the Little Flower's mum Zélie, via Twitter.

She started praying for their holiness from the time she was pregnant. I especially love the prayer she taught them to say each morning:

My God, I give You my heart; please accept it that no creature, but You alone, my good Jesus, may possess it.

Sad tidings from the Abbey

2011-10-12T21:44:00.006+01:00

I don't listen to the radio much these days at home (there's enough going on trying to listen to three little boys' goings-on). So in the car this morning, I was stunned when I heard the lead story on the 10am news... Very sad and shocking news from Holycross Abbey. The relic of the True Cross was stolen in broad daylight yesterday by some hoodlums driving a red VW Touareg. The Abbey is very close to my heart. My Mum goes to Mass every day there and Lee and I were married there by the lovely Fr Tom Breen, who spoke on the news tonight of his feelings of devastation at the theft. You can read more about it here.

Mellow Fruitfulness

2011-10-04T22:20:00.001+01:00

2011-10-04T22:18:00.001+01:00

This morning was bright and hopeful-looking so after pegging out some washing and 'sploring (aka digging in mud and examining minicreatures) Poonch and I took a stroll across the road with Granny's dog.
This used to be a daily occurrence, but has slipped down the agenda since Roo started school. Sadly we never picked any blackberries this year. Not one, never mind make jam. But we had a good look at all the colourful berries and other offerings of this marvellous season like the little musher-room above. I think St Francis would have approved.
It is lovely spending this time with our little middle piggy. He seemed a bit lost when his big bro first spread his wings but is definitely happier in himself this past few days.

Wheeeee!

2011-10-01T11:26:00.001+01:00

Love this time of year for lots of reasons. One of them is the number of great Saints' days. Today is the wonderful Thérèse of Lisieux, who is very close to my heart. Then there's Sts Francis, Faustina and a couple of days ago, the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Padre Pio's around this time too.

The weather hasn't lived up to what we'd been promised, but we did get a leetle sun one day this week. The little Toot and I took advantage of it while his older brothers snoozed. Off to the swing where he whooshed and went whee to his heart's content. He gets such a kick out of it. Look at his little tooty feet revelling in the warmth!

Pheww!

2011-09-24T23:47:00.007+01:00

A 'baby snake', or to you and me, a teeny little worm, found while 'sploring

Not a lot of time for blogging these days, as ever... but what a busy few weeks it's been.

Here's a quick whizz through what we've been up to:

Birthdays of Roo and little Toot

Big boy beginning school

Hospital stay and operation for Mama and the best welcome home (baby burying his head in my lap)

Diecast model show

Family of Mary conference in Kilmallock

Our Lady's birthday: cake and beads and biccies

Visit to Great Aunt's house

First ever pony ride for Roo and Poonch

St. Therese Novena: perfect timing

2011-09-20T11:00:00.003+01:00

I'm thinking I should devote this blog to just novenas and washing! Here comes another novena, and this one's in honour of my favourite saint....

For the next few days, when I am conscious(!) I will be joining over 2900 Catholics to pray the St. Therese Novena!

You can sign up too for handy email reminders to get the the novena prayers here: St. Therese Novena

I'm going into hospital for an operation today. If you get a chance to remember me in your prayers, I'd be ever so grateful. :)

Prayers needed

2011-09-13T23:49:00.001+01:00

On my way to Beddy-byes, quickly posting this link to Bonny's site.

It is linked to a novena to Archbishop Sheen....

..well, I do find it hard to resist a good ol' novena.

Another Richard Scarry Busytown-worthy crash

2011-09-11T23:51:00.003+01:00

Today we visited our first model show. Something I might never have experienced if I hadn't been blessed with three little boys... well, actually four. Now I find myself craving a Massey Ferguson 35X. That's a little red tractor to you and me.

2011-09-11T23:00:00.001+01:00

...help is on the way!

Fill our little world

2011-09-05T05:00:00.000+01:00

When I was pregnant with Roo, our first child, there was a song playing on the radio by The Feeling which I really loved. It seemed to be the soundtrack to our last sprog-less holiday, a sun-filled trip to South West England. Every time I hear it now I think of that happy expectant time when we had no idea what was in store for us, but looked forward to it all the same.

I didn't realise at the time how prophetic the song would be in the case of Roo. He fills my days chocablock with talk, questions, amazing ponderings and busy doings while keeping me on my toes trying to think of activities to stop the dreaded, 'I'm boooooooorrrrrred'. Although, lately he has become more independent in 'making and doing' and I can't walk towards the bin with any form of cardboard without it being recommissioned by him into a superhero mask or sword for himself, his brothers or even his teddies. Now he has started school, his world has become a lot more full and interesting and subsequently our house is much quieter in his absence. Poonch, in particular, seems to be out of sorts when he is away. Please God this step will be the start of a happy, fruitful and 'fulfilling' time for Roo.

All in all, he is a very thoughtful, kind, helpful, sensitive, inquisitive, perceptive, sometimes maddening little chap and I thank God for him coming along to fill my little world right up.

Ta-dah!!! We have a winner!

2011-08-28T23:43:00.002+01:00

I am delighted to announce that Sandra from Life Sublyme has won the book on St Joseph that I mentioned in the last post! She has a beautiful blog which is really worth visiting, in which she discusses her own battle with chronic illness (Lyme disease) and how her faith has helped her through the suffering.

Congratulations Sandra! Thank you for dropping by and I hope you enjoy the little book as much as I did.

1st Birthday Freebie!

2011-08-15T22:40:00.006+01:00

I have been reading this little gem of a book in spare moments while waiting for the little Toot to drop off to sleep. It was one I picked up during our recent trip to Knock. After Mass in town this morning, I bought another one because I would love to share it with someone else!

So in honour of St Joseph and in thanksgiving for the impending first birthday of our youngest boy, who is named after him, I am going to give it away! If you would like to receive it, just leave a comment on this post before Sunday 21st August. Then if I get more than one reply, I will draw a name from a hat and publish who won in a new post as well as in a follow-up comment on this post. So when you comment, be sure to check the box that emails follow-up comments to your email address or check back to see if you are the lucky recipient! I will post it out to whoever wins. Good luck!

First Birthday surprise package

2011-08-15T21:05:00.000+01:00

Guess who's trying to have two big announcements for his birthday?

2011-08-14T16:04:00.002+01:00

Our littlest boy is very nearly one year old and is doing his utmost to be able to walk by then. I suppose when you have two noisy older brothers you have to try even harder to get people to notice you!

Any chance he gets lately he's been using anything solid to pull himself up into a standing position. But in the last few days he started to make tentative little sidesteps and today he was pushing a chair ahead of him as if it was a baby-walker! I think I have noticed a slight change in him on account of his increased mobility and viewpoint. He seems happier: I suppose life just got a lot more interesting!

I remember when I found out I was carrying a third boy being really curious about how he would turn out as his older brothers are so very different from each other. Would he be like one of them? Or different again? I suppose the answer is yes to both questions. Personality-wise, he is not quite as sunny as Poonch, but he seems less cautious than Roo is.

And of course, his interests are different, he seems more interested in physical feats: he squeals with delight as he sits on the ground and throws the ball, he likes to climb up the little red slide and from an early age he would strive to grasp objects within his (surprisingly long) reach so that he could examine them. On the other hand, talking isn't a priority for him: he doesn't really have any actual words yet, although he enjoys singing (a series of single short notes), loves pointing an imperious index finger at people and things and used to 'tell' me what he thought of his dinner each evening. He will give you a high five if you ask him and has a very cute floppy wave which the ladies love!

Everyone says he is the image of his Dad. He has recently got very adorable, whereas before he looked like a real Scroonk with dishevelled hair and bad skin that only we could love. But we sure do love our littlest boy. His older brothers are so affectionate towards him and protective too, especially his oldest brother, the little gent that he is. In turn, he gets endless entertainment from them and laughs at their antics that make me cross!

We are delighted you came along to join our mad little family. Happy Birthday little Toot!

Fota foties

2011-08-13T23:59:00.007+01:00

Feeding time at the zoo: a sneaky peek into the feeding buggy on our annual Summer trip to Fota (yay)

... on the train (woohoo!)

It was a day of penpens, albeit slightly bored and dozey ones, above

and stripey bah-loo cardigans.

We had a great day, meeting old friends with their hands as 'full' as ours, eccentric second child and all. And I found a lovely, proper, newsagent full of magazines, newspapers and a lovely proper newsagent-y smell I haven't experienced for years.

If I was a Playmobil character...

2011-08-12T17:04:00.001+01:00

...it would have to be this one! She is carrying her baby in a sling! She has her brown hair tied in a ponytail! She has very little regard for current fashion trends! And I just realised she's wearing red shoes too! Quite uncanny really.

Today's Gospel according to Roo:

2011-08-07T17:35:00.003+01:00

Matthew 14: 22-33

Assumption Novena starts today

2011-08-06T12:21:00.007+01:00

I am fond of the odd Novena. Any excuse really and off I go: at the very least, it's a good way of making sure I find time to pray each day. Nine days from now is the Feast of the Assumption, so in preparation for that great day (which last year was the Little Toot's due date), I will be one of more than 2800 Catholics praying the Assumption Novena through this novena website.

If you'd like to join in too, you can sign up for handy email reminders to get the the novena prayers here: Assumption Novena.

The lovely picture came from this website, which tells you a little more about the feast.

Every cloud...

2011-08-04T20:33:00.005+01:00

Well, due to a misunderstanding, I had a bit of a disappointment this evening. It was supposed to involve this restaurant, my hubby, some friends and a meal I didn't have to cook. But at the last minute, with nobody to mind our bubs, it wasn't to be for me. Here I am in front of the TV on my own.

Never mind though, I'm actually fine about it! Those rosary beads I mentioned in a previous post arrived this morning, much to the delight of Roo and Poonch. They were so excited this evening when we got to use them for the first time! Thanks to my cancelled engagement, I could take my time and say our prayers without having to rush away. What a treat.

It was so cute to see them touching the lego brick beads, with Roo diligently counting them off as we prayed and read through their lovely rosary book. I gave him the choice of which Luminous mystery to pray and he was intrigued about Jesus turning the water into wine, so he decided on the Wedding at Cana. Poonch just loved the colour and Lego-ness of his beads and wanted to wear them around his neck all day, despite my opposition. I have been surprised and utterly enchanted by their sweet, endearing reaction to the rosary each evening. Thank you Lord for such precious and priceless moments.

2011-07-30T23:19:00.002+01:00

No one does accidents quite like Richard Scarry does...

2011-07-30T22:29:00.003+01:00

Quite an unexpectedly eventful day today. A few little mishaps along the way, but all ended ok, thank God. It started out as a mundane Saturday trip into town. The whole family went in to pootle round the market and round up school supplies for Roo.

On the way home though, it became apparent I had left my phone behind me somewhere. (Quel surprise, Rodney.) And on the way to retrieve it, the car stopped dead right on the busiest roundabout in the city. Lee put his back out trying to push the car single-handedly somewhere less accident-inducing. The car door handle broke as he tried to get back into the car. And then the rest of us sat stranded with me praying we wouldn’t be the cause of a Richard Scarry-worthy pile up while Lee set off looking for a petrol station. (Yes.... I know.) That led to a few hairy moments marvelling at how there aren't more accidents on the road, the way people drive. I think Guardian angels must be so busy just keeping people safe in their cars every day.

Anyway, thanks to Lee, we got moving again. Drama over. No harm done. And now I'd like to mention the highlights of today. The bits God drops in to help you through difficult times:

The thoughtful honest man who handed my phone in and the nice man in the car park who thought to phone Lee to tell me he had it.

The lovely people who stopped in a risky spot to see if we were alright or ‘to offer us a lift’ as Poonch put it.

The three little boys in the back as good as gold despite being variously in need of the toilet, a drink or a nap.

Roo suggesting we ‘ask God to help us’ and the relief saying a prayer out loud brought.

Offers of hugs from Poonch and Roo when I got a little broken-voiced from experiencing the kindness of strangers.

The little sparkle in Roo’s eyes when he saw himself in the mirror with his uniform on for the first time ever.

Watching Uncle Bee playing with the lads and their interaction (particularly little 11 month old Toot) with him.

I will probably never get the chance to thank the people that helped just by offering to help. But I would like to ask for a little prayer for them tonight. I hope they receive many blessings for the care they showed to us. Thank you.

Ever wondered why you wake at night?

2011-07-28T20:49:00.008+01:00

Of course, sometimes there is a clear reason! For instance, when I wake up in the middle of the night, it's usually because one of the lads has woken me. But other than crying babies, do you ever wake up at night, seemingly for no reason? This morning I read one possible explanation, which I'll tell you about in a minute.

When one of the children is awake, it can lead to quite a long period of enforced wakefulness for me, back and forth until they nod off again. Praying during such a time helps to make it seem less frustrating and even useful. Certainly, I don't get much time or quiet to pray during the day.

I do try. Lately, I have started to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the lads at bedtime. As they are so young, I thought it would be easier to hold their attention than the rosary, although I might try to alternate it with one decade of the rosary every second night.

Not surprisingly, the thing they most enjoy seems to be counting the prayers off on the beads. So I have decided to get them their own beads. What a great excuse to buy some of these great Lego rosaries from Memento Moose's etsy page. Aren't they great? My boys are eagerly awaiting them in the post.

In contrast to the rainbow beads: handy for when you're in the jungle and don't want to stand out

And the reason for insomnia? Maybe someone needs your prayers urgently! Here's the extract from St Faustina's Diary that I read today:

"809 During the night, I was suddenly awakened and knew that some soul was asking me for prayer, and that it was in much need of prayer. Briefly, but with all my soul, I asked the Lord for grace for her.

810 The following afternoon, when I entered the ward, I saw someone dying, and learned that the agony had started during the night. When I verified it-it had been at the time when I had been asked for prayer. And just then, I heard a voice in my soul: Say the chaplet which I taught you. I ran to fetch my rosary and knelt down by the dying person and, with all the ardour of my soul, I began to say the chaplet. Suddenly the dying person opened her eyes and looked at me; I had not managed to finish the entire chaplet when she died, with extraordinary peace. I fervently asked the Lord to fulfill the promise He had given me for the recitation of the chaplet. The Lord gave me to know that the soul had been granted the grace He had promised me. That was the first soul to receive the benefit of the Lord's promise. I could feel the power of mercy envelop that soul.

811 When I entered my solitude, I heard these words: At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God's anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of My Son.

Oh, if only everyone realized how great the Lord's mercy is and how much we all need that mercy, especially at that crucial hour!"

If you're not familiar with it, you can find the Chaplet and how to say it here.

Tall Ships, big dogs and small ones too

2011-07-03T17:09:00.000+01:00

Continuing our whistle-stop tour of Southern Ireland, we arrived in Cappoquin to spend a night in Richmond House, somewhere we remembered fondly from our pre-sprog days. The house is as lovely as we found it before and our family room was memorable for the fact that Roo and Poonch slept peacefully and harmoniously together in the same bed. (Another memory is that of Poonch sitting regally in his potty surveying the carpark below from his lofty perch on the expansive bathroom windowsill.) A visit to Granny Daddy and her gift of a pair of cuddly plush puppies helped to tire them out, although we've had so much going these last few days that they have a cumulative tiredness at this stage.

Pictured above is by far the friendliest member of staff that we met at Richmond House. Make of that what you will. The lads were very taken with this big old bear of a dog: cuddly and quiet. And so was I.

The following morning, we drove off to Waterford to what turned into a glorious Summer's day to see the Tall Ships, or should that be, to queue up for various food items at numerous market stalls. The city was absolutely packed and we strolled around with the older lads in and out of the buggy and the Little Toot in the sling. In hindsight, we would all get much more out of it when we are able to climb on board the actual Tall Ships in a few years' time, please God. One of the more memorable things was a Sea Shanty group from Exmouth who wandered around singing a most stirring song.

Despite the fact that the lads are generally very well-behaved (do you think I would be biased, now really?), there has been the odd occasion when I haven't felt entirely, shall we say, loved by certain people we have come across on this holiday. They seem to have a pre-formed negative attitude towards children, even before they have crossed the restaurant or hotel threshold. Curiously enough, in some of these places we have been pretty much the only customers. I would have thought that in the country's current dire economic state that any customer at all would be treated like a long lost friend.

Sacred Heart Novena...

2011-06-23T06:00:00.000+01:00

....starts today. Click here to join in on the Sacred Space website.

Holiday revisited part 4, Thursday: Can you tell where it is yet?

2011-06-23T00:00:00.000+01:00

Here is the other side of the church, the side that people know better. This is where Our Lady appeared to some dumb-founded inhabitants of Knock, Co Mayo, on 21st August 1879. We visited it on our Mayo holiday: it was in fact the reason we decided to come up there in the first place.

This gable-end is one of the parts of Knock that I love. There is a real sense of something amazing in this quiet spot, which for some reason seems almost deserted whenever I visit. In my experience, people tend to rush past it on the way to the Basilica, yet to me it is a far more attractive place. I see the basilica as just a functional place which can hold a lot of people. Lee likened it to a mart in design, which is bang on. Another part of Knock that I love is the Reconciliation Chapel. It always feels inviting and friendly, which aren't two adjectives that normally come to mind when I think of confession. On this visit, the two older lads were very good as they waited in turn for Lee and I, but I had to bring the Scroonk in with me in the sling and he was a bit busy, to say the least!

After that, the lads went off with Lee for some well-deserved messing in the playground while I went to yet another of my favourite parts of Knock: the bookshop. I could really spend hours there, and that's just in the children's section which has so many appealing books. I got some great books for Roo to help explain what's happening in Mass and some lift-the-flap Bible stories for Poonch. Then I went looking for a 'penny catechism' only to find it next to YOUCAT , which I was very excited about. It is such a great book: even apart from its contents, it is very attractive to look at and handle, with a friendly, straight-forward and approachable tone and a wonderful foreword from the Holy Father.

It was a welcome change not to have to face into a three-hour plus drive back home and instead we headed back to the hotel and our final night there. All together now: aaaaahhhhh!

Day 2, Tuesday... in Mayo!: Cycling the Greenway

2011-06-21T23:31:00.003+01:00

We woke up for our first proper day of holiday and off we toddled to the nearby town of Newport to collect our snazzy electric bikes.

My trusty steed for the day

Electric bike + trailer= plain sailing

We had been really excited about this part of our holiday because it involved us, bikes, fresh air, nice scenery and exercise, but as Roo would say, not too much. Lee and I aren't as fit as we'd like to be, so when we heard that we could cycle about with the lads in tow with the help of an electric motor, we thought yippee! Roo wasn't too sure though- he didn't like the sound of the trailers that he and de bruvvers were going to be travelling in.

Nonetheless, we met Paul from Electric Escapes at Clew Bay Cycles and collected our bikes. And so began the pirate connections: my bike was called Grace, as in Grace O'Malley, the famous female pirate of Mayo, appropriate, as we had chosen the Pirate Queen tour. Roo settled quickly into his trailer with the Scroonk next to him, while initially Poonch was a bit nervous on his ownio behind me.

And we were off! The weather was very clement: warm and dry, with a gentle breeze to prevent us getting too hot from our exertions. And the scenery was, well take a look at this....

Mostly very peaceful and relaxing: no cars speeding by to scare the bejayny out of us. We weren't completely alone of course:

Moo!

Baa!

And we did meet some people too. A broad mix of young families, retired couples and young, fit types who seemed to me to be regular users of the cycleway. All sharing a friendly 'hello'. What a very civilised and cheery way to spend the day! And what a fantastic amenity to have in the area: a safe, superbly-maintained track to walk or cycle along. Not just for tourists, but local residents too. Aaaahh, if only there were more trails like this around the country. My Dad would have loved it.

Whizzzzzzzzzzzz!

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

It wasn't all plain sailing for me though. As the initial euphoria/novelty wore off, I realised I should have asked someone to adjust my saddle before we started as my botty wasn't feeling too happy towards the end. Overall though, we did really well, considering the last time we biked regularly was over 10 years ago in college.

And the lads had a great time: the first thing Roo said the following morning was, 'Are we going cycling again today?' So there you go, highly recommended.

Holiday revisited: Day 1 Mulranny Monday

2011-06-20T14:14:00.000+01:00

We started the long drive up to Mayo after collecting Roo from his first day at 'big' school: he got on ok and we met some very nice parents and teachers too. We had our customary pitstop in Clarenbridge at the Provident Market Kitchen cafe, which is always tasty.

We took a slight diversion in Galway at Little Dreamers, a lovely shop for children's stuff, to pick up a new addition to the family (pictured). After that the road became narrow and the countryside boggy as we started on the last leg of the journey. Driving through the pretty town of Westport, we decided we would have to return later in the week for a browse. As we got closer to Mulranny, we noticed bits of newly refurbished cycleway running closeby the road and guessed it must be the Great Western Greenway. It looked very well made and we couldn't wait for the chance to cycle it the next day.

Eventually, we reached our home for the next few nights: Mulranny Park Hotel. This old railway hotel was built long before the Celtic Tiger's glut of ghost hotels. Our room was surprisingly spacious (as we opened the door, we all gasped at its size) with gracious sash windows and high ceilings. Some of the views from the hotel were like landscape paintings and the window tables in the restaurant were much sought after. Well, more popular than the ones near our motley little crew anyway!

2011-06-18T23:07:00.007+01:00

Well, I was going to post some more pictures from our recent trip, but my phone suddenly broke down today (possibly caused by a grouchy Scroonk) so it will have to wait until I can get it repaired (I hope)...

We were in Mayo for a few days and it was lovely. The weather was very friendly to us so we got loads of fresh air and the lads (and us) were happily exhausted at the end of each day from cycling, swimming, pedalo-ing, fluming and bouncy castl-ing. More info to follow.

Lee's time-off continues so today we found ourselves in Limerick at the Milk Market. Then my broken phone caused us to stumble across the pop-up Etsy shop on Catherine Street on its last day. Poonch fell asleep so I had a lovely browse through handmade cards, crochet, jewellery and the like before settling on some cute felt brooches from Bettyoctopus and earrings from Silver Soul Design.

We love shopping at the market and getting to know the people who make the things we like. Vi's Sunflower Bakery is one of our favourites: when I eat her creations I always wish I could bake like her. Maybe she does classes....

2011-06-17T16:19:00.001+01:00

We've been away for the last few days. Yesterday we visited the town where something extraordinary happened outside this unassuming little church...

2011-06-03T17:03:00.001+01:00

Some messy fun outside

So cool! Pope speaks to astronauts

2011-06-03T11:36:00.000+01:00

In from the sun for a while. Roo was very interested in this video, what with the spaceman floating up and making the Holy Father laugh! Thank you to Mary for posting the clip on her blog first.

2011-06-03T11:28:00.002+01:00

Watered the plants before the sun got too hot. Great weather for potty training by the way.

2011-06-03T09:19:00.001+01:00

Warm sunshine here already this morning. Love that early morning smell. Mr Caterpillar is still asleep in the shade of the playhouse.

Meanwhile in other news

2011-05-30T10:46:00.001+01:00

...before the rain came.

2011-05-30T10:45:00.002+01:00

Poonch is moving away from constantly building flat blocks of Lego (nice and portable) to more imaginative structures like this 'tower' or 'boats'. Roo meanwhile, 2 and a half years his senior, surprises us with train stations, Roman soldiers' forts and the like, all worthy of Kevin McCloud's approval.

Ascension Novena

2011-05-27T11:17:00.001+01:00

Ascension Novena: join in?

2011-05-27T10:32:00.004+01:00

I have an urge to do an auld Novena at the mo, so looking up nine days from now is, I think, Ascension Sunday. So Google 'n' me came up with this from the EWTN site.

Ascension Novena

Jesus, I honour You on the feast of Your Ascension into heaven. I rejoice with all my heart at the glory into which You entered to reign as King of heaven and earth. When the struggle of this life is over, give me the grace to share Your joy and triumph in heaven for all eternity.

I believe that You entered into Your glorious Kingdom to prepare a place for me, for You promised to come again to take me to Yourself. Grant that I may seek only the joys of Your friendship and love, so that I may deserve to be united with You in heaven.

In the hour of my own homecoming, when I appear before Your Father to give an account of my life on earth, have mercy on me.

Jesus, in Your love for me You have brought me from evil to good and from misery to happiness. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. May Your Humanity give me courage in my weakness and free me from my sins.

Through Your grace, give me the courage of perseverance for You have called and justified me by faith. May I hold fast to the life You have given me and come to the eternal gifts You promised.

You love me, dear Jesus. Help me to love You in return. I ask You to grant this special favor:

(Mention your request).

By Your unceasing care, guide my steps toward the life of glory You have prepared for those who love You. Make me grow in holiness and thank You by a life of faithful service.

No car, no problem

2011-05-18T23:48:00.002+01:00

The car was still in for repairs today, so I was at home with the lads all day. No school, no racing about.
In answer to 'what will we do noooow, Mummy?' amongst other things, we read books, tidied Our Lady's altar, made a birthday invitation (only 4 months to go), fell about laughing at different ways to pronounce 'party', baked and decorated fairy cakes (while the little Toot obligingly slept) and ran about barefoot cos of 'sticky feet' (no, I don't know what they meant either).

Meanwhile, Lee rushed around for work, trying to avoid falling asleep at the wheel whilst doing a damn fine job for people, some of whom have no intention of ever paying him.

2011-05-18T18:07:00.003+01:00

Can never have too many pictures of this.

2011-05-18T17:33:00.002+01:00

Reinforcements arrived via EBay in the last few days. We love Playmobil! Thinking of getting Poonch some Egyptians so at least the arguments would be historical.

Roo agrees we should buy some 'eejits'.

The Fall of Rome

2011-05-06T10:24:00.001+01:00

Halfway through repairing the Roman soldier (centurion? not sure of his rank) that Mum and Uncle Bee brought back from their trip to JPII's beatification. Roo was delighted with it because he has been fascinated with Roman soldiers since Easter and their part in the Crucifixion/ Resurrection. He also, bizarrely, predicted that Granny might bring back such a thing, even though she is unaware of his current interest. *Cue Twilight Zone music*
Anyway, off he went straight away to build a very impressive barracks (garrison? Must do some Roman empire homework) out of Lego. Happy out... and off to bed.
The FIRST thing he said when he woke this morning was, 'where's my Roman soldier?' eek! UNFORTUNATELY, during the night, one of his barbarian brothers, the youngest, suffering from teething, pushed Toyus Maximus off the table. As you can see, he didn't survive the fall. In hindsight, as good as he looked, he was never going to survive the rough and tumble in this house.

He is Risen!

2011-04-24T18:29:00.002+01:00

Alleluia!

Soldiers guarding the tomb...

2011-04-22T22:04:00.002+01:00

Roo and I have been busy making and doing the last few days. Today we put our make-and-do Jesus on the cross and at 3 o'clock took him down and placed him in the tomb. Then we put our two Roman soldiers on-guard outside and there they stand, in front of the great big rock at the entrance to the cave. (What would we do without toilet roll-inserts?) Roo is very interested in the story and it's great that he is learning the real reason for Easter.

Thank you to Lacy from the amazing Catholic Icing for the inspiration to get the lads involved in such a brilliant way.

Peace n quiet

2011-04-18T14:18:00.001+01:00

Ah the joy of being able to play with your 'big boy Lego' and not risk having it nicked or swallowed by those little brothers.

The playschool holidays are upon us so Toot and Poonch are having decent horizontal snoozes rather than cat-napping in the car. And I am having nose-blowing competitions with Roo.

Daisy chain

2011-04-17T22:56:00.002+01:00

Poonch and Lee gave me a lovely necklace today. They made it all by themselves from the sweetest little flowers.

Here it is at the end of a lovely sunny day where we went nowhere but Mass and the local shop (on a fruitless search for a barbecue). Soon after the photo was taken, much to Poonchy's dismay, it broke (well the little stems had withered a fair bit by then). And its ethereal beauty is in its fragility, perhaps.

Thank you, Honey Bears!

xxxxx

Little foal

2011-04-12T22:24:00.001+01:00

For the day that's in it...

2011-04-01T08:49:00.005+01:00

I love the images they put up on Bing everyday, but today's really made me want to share it with you. Roo loves looking through the pictures they put up too. If you click on the little © character, it tells you a little about the photo.

We could certainly do with a bit of a laugh in this country after yesterday's news. Unfortunately the story of the bail-out wasn't an early April Fool's joke.

Little pea shoots

2011-03-30T17:07:00.002+01:00

Sturdy chaps these. So far they have withstood frost, attempted drowning and repeated toddler foot pressure. Wish them luck!

(They are the Kelvedon Wonder variety, for the record.)

Did you meet an angel today?

2011-03-25T21:00:00.003Z

Anne has removed the comments box from her blog so I can't thank her for her lovely post on today's feast of the Annunciation.

Once again, her beautiful writing has struck a chord in me. I especially liked reading about the 2 year old 'angel' she met. Can't say I've experienced such a revelation myself, but I will keep it in mind the next time I'm trying to cope with a toddler meltdown!

You can catch up with Anne and her gentle wisdom here.

how to get children to eat their crusts...

2011-03-21T12:06:00.007Z

Bread-making is definitely not one of my strengths, contrary to what Roo said to the little Toot this morning, ('Did you know Mummy is very good at making bread?'). The thing is any previous attempts always ended up like particularly inedible doormats, until I saw the marvellous Nigel Slater make his Lazy Loaf on telly. It's like Soda Bread, only easier to make. In about 30 minutes you can feel pleasingly self-sufficient by producing your very own bread or helping your children make it. Not only is it not inedible, but my little children really actually like it and hence Roo's confident statement. They even eat the crusts, something they avoid at all costs on any other bread. Follow the link if you too wish to see your children perform this amazing feat.

Unfortunately, and not wishing to put you off your loaf, but their eyes, on the other hand, are very crusty. All three of them have now had conjunctivitis over the last few days, which makes the poor lads look, on waking, like little zombies or Egyptian mummies. Roo is much improved, but not enough to return to playschool yet.

St Joseph's Day

2011-03-19T15:12:00.001Z

We have a soft spot for St Joseph in this house and one of the lads is named after him. I had hoped to go to Mass this morning. Me and the lads were all ready and in the car, but I couldn't go through with it as the two older boys looked so sick with the little alien eyes they've developed in the last day or two.
Not going made me think what I could do in honour of the faithful servant that God chose to watch over His son on earth. If I get a chance, I will make a little cake to celebrate his feast and then I will properly fast for the rest of Lent. I haven't really given up anything this year, partly due to the breastfeeding and partly cos I meant to consciously Be a Nicer Person instead, but I didn't do that either. Just now, Fr Groeschel on EWTN has inspired me to once again make a little sacrifice for what remains of Lent. So here goes...

Lá Féile Pádraig!

2011-03-17T22:16:00.004Z

Happy St Patrick's Day from the purveyors of green, white and gold jelly.

New beginnings?

2011-02-26T12:20:00.001Z

The votes have been cast. Please God, look after our country and its new leaders. Some of them have promised to look after the most vulnerable members of society. May your Holy Spirit enter their hearts so that they truly fulfil that ideal and ensure that everyone be protected and cherished from womb to tomb.

Gratuitous picture of pegs and washing

2011-02-19T12:10:00.001Z

Yes, those are pegs on the line- the first of 2011- with the little Toot's bibs flapping cheerfully in the breeze.

They make me smile. Because they give us hope that Spring might actually be on the way. Because it means one less airer full of limp clothes and loosens my guilty attachment to the tumble dryer that I never foresaw pre-sprogs. (When we moved in, I looked at it and thought, 'well the landlord might as well take that thing away'. Ha!) And because it means the little Toot is having a snooze and I'm out in the fresh air with Poonch who could do with a lungful of something fresh as his tum is upset today.

Can you help? (Warning: political issues involved)

2011-02-12T20:44:00.005Z

Ireland is currently in the middle of an election campaign. The main focus is on how the next government will affect the economic future of this country, but there is another more important issue which isn't receiving any attention.

Since the European Court of "Human Rights"' ruling in December, some are saying the Government will have to legislate on the issue of abortion. This ruling ignored both the fact that Ireland is the one of the safest places in the world to have a baby and that surely unborn children have human rights too.

Anyway, if you are still reading this, could I ask you to do one of these things? If you can vote, don't vote Labour as they want to introduce abortion here. Second, make sure your local candidates are pro-life before you give them your preference. If you can't vote, then please pray for those who can. And if you'd like to help the prolife campaign in Ireland further, you can contact them here.

We luv IKEA!

2011-02-10T12:38:00.001Z

My Hero

2011-02-08T15:46:00.000Z

On our way up the M7 and just wanted to post about how proud I am of Roo. He worked very hard with his speech therapist and concentrated really well during a tough assessment today.
He certainly impressed me with his explanations and reasoning skills, and I'm not just saying that cos I'm his Mum. Well done, little man!

Have sand, will play

2011-02-06T16:26:00.001Z

...even if it's pouring rain from the heavens. Thank God for those great rainsuits.

Take a seat

2011-02-04T09:38:00.001Z

Hello. Quite an unusual feeling I'm having at the moment. Sitting down, waiting, with none of my boys to keep me occupied, and finding I have nothing to do.
Maybe a good time to pray. Yes, that's an idea. I will pray the ultrasound of my throat goes well.

Bye bye Jesse tree

2011-02-02T23:12:00.001Z

Time to take down our last vestiges of Christmas- the Jesse tree and its teeny ornaments. Roo and I learnt more about the Old Testament last Advent as we made little bits to hang on it. An apple for Adam and Eve, a rainbow for Noah, a star for Abraham, Jacob's ladder. I had planned more, such as Joseph's colourful coat but Roo's younger brothers aren't really conducive to homeschooling so we didn't get as much done as i'd hoped. But it's definitely something I'll do again. Another 'tradition' we began was filling baby Jesus' bed with hay with each kind act during Advent. Then on Christmas Day, one of Roo's spacemen appeared, wrapped in swaddling clothes, playing the part of an leanbh Iosa sleeping on the hay.

Muddy puddy!

2011-01-30T16:20:00.002Z

That's what Poonch called this little oasis of joy that he and Roo revelled in on our walk this afternoon. His vocabulary has expanded in the last few weeks and he chats away, coming out with sometimes startling sentences. He has his own little poonchy take on words, pointing out 'butty...flies', 'piders', 'catty...pillars' and 'bahdies', wishing people 'happy cwisbas' or 'happy to you' when it's their birthday.

Signs of Spring

2011-01-22T14:48:00.002Z

Some lovely flowers appeared today, carried by my super hubby. They were tied with a green ribbon and put me in mind of Spring as the bright sun came in the window.
As I write this, the little Toot is stirring from a long snooze and his two older brothers are asleep- an extraordinary event in this house! I'm trying to get our littlest boy into more of a routine but it's difficult during the week with Roo commuting back and forth to playschool.

Hello!

2011-01-13T21:08:00.001Z

It's little me! On the swing.

Bye bye piddies!

2011-01-12T20:57:00.005Z

Those were the words of Poonch as we visited the piggies for the last time today. Of course we hadn't told the lads that our porcine friends were going to the factory, but you'd swear they knew anyway, as Poonchie repeated the words during the day.

It is quite sad to think of the fate that awaits them, but they have had a much happier life than most of the domestic pigs of this world, and we do eat p-o-r-k and b-a-c-o-n (whisper). I was very glad once again, that the little pink fellas hadn't been growing in our back garden though. That is one lesson that our boys are a bit too young to learn just yet and how would we have explained their sudden disappearance?

Angels at work...

2010-12-13T09:39:00.004Z

We have been experiencing a bit of a thaw here, so this morning Lee and Roo set off confidently for school with no worries: no sign of frost anywhere. Then I heard on the radio that the roads were deceptively icy. So I texted and rang Lee to let him know.

When I spoke to him about an hour after they'd left, he agreed that yes, the roads were very dangerous....

...and that Roo had warned him to be careful as they drove off. 'But Roo,' Lee said, 'the roads are ok today.' 'My angel told me the roads are slipp-edy,' replied the little fella.

A little visitor

2010-12-08T16:53:00.001Z

This little chap is staying with us for a short while. He doesn't say much but obviously shops in the same places cos that hat and scarf look very familiar.

Feast of St Nicholas

2010-12-06T23:25:00.001Z

Here are some Santa cupcakes we made today, as decorated by Roo.
December 6th has brought us mixed tidings over the years. This year was fairly uneventful, the highlight being these cheery little cakes. My phone camera isn't great, but if you look closely, you'll see Santy has a marshmallow beard.

Toy show, toy show!

2010-12-03T15:13:00.001Z

Here is the Poonch watching the afore-mentioned Toy Show on RTE player. It is a week since the original broadcast, but he keeps asking to watch it again. This from a bookle who doesn't go in much for telly. So thanks to the wonders of the internet, here he is watching it yet again, from behind the safety gate, there to protect my beloved computer from his destructive streak!

Meanwhile, one of the more pleasant things about this cold spell is that Lee has collected Roo from playschool a few times to avoid my having to drag his two little brothers out of the warmth onto dangerously slippery roads.
This means that Poonch gets a proper bed-snooze, which he still really needs, rather than an unsatisfactorily short car-nap.

The reason I am able to write this post is that he is asleep and I am pinned to the sofa under another slumbering babe and his big brudda, back from practising the Christmas play and very sad to see that the snow has disappeared. Unfortunately for him, we have escaped the heavy snow that has blanketed much of the rest of the country. I, on the other hand, am thanking God for the reprieve. How very boring we become as adults. I was just remembering the excitement I felt one year in college when, close to our Christmas exams, there was a flurry of snow. Of course, back then I only had myself to worry about. Nowadays, with three little people and a hubby who depends on his car for all of his work, snow brings many other concerns. But I think on balance, I have a MUCH better deal now! God is good. :)

Peppa pig and the Jesse tree

2010-12-02T16:08:00.001Z

While Poonch slept off last night's disturbance, Roo and I squeezed in some RE. As we were reading about Noah and the flood, we decided to make a little rainbow as today's symbol for the Jesse tree Poonch and I found on our walk yesterday.
When Poonch woke up, we watched an episode of Peppa Pig I'd Sky plussed while Roo was at nursery. As I tried to settle the littlest Toot, what should appear in the background but a rainbow, courtesy of Peppa and her family! The lads are quite fond of Peppa at the moment. (I think even our Daddy Pig has a soft spot for her since we got the DVD for watching at the Wowee house.)

2010-11-29T10:02:00.001Z

Brrr

2010-11-29T09:56:00.001Z

Very cold here this morning. We're in the middle of a cold snap. In spite of the adverse conditions, Lee and Roo got back safely from their trip to see Granny and the tuddens yesterday, thank God.

According to the miraculously ever-cheerful Marty Whelan, of whom I am a big fan, today's the feast day of St Brendan of Birr.:)how very appropriate.

Raarrh!

2010-11-23T17:31:00.000Z

Not much time for blogging or anything else at the moment. My days are completely filled by just trying to keep the three lads fed, warm and clean.
Before he got sick, Roo had been learning all about dinosaurs at playschool. He's been surprising me with lots of big new words like 'extinct' and various dino names (dinosaurs aren't one of my strong points-'mummy, what's that one?' 'hmmm, not sure, diplodoccus?' 'Or an apatasaurus, maybe?' 'Clunk!' i.e. Sound of me falling over in shock and admiration).
Here's a picture of a T. rex he brought home a couple of weeks ago. Little Toot, sitting in his new Bumbo seat/throne, wasn't really bothered by him- that's his foot in the photo- mind you, compared to the attention he receives from his older brothers, the dinosaur was very tame.

Ee ee Mama... and some kiddy artwork

2010-11-19T16:46:00.000Z

Building inspired by one of Robert Louis Stevenson's poems

Autumn squirrel holding a little acorn, who sings a little song to the tune of "I'm a little Teapot"

Scary!!

It's been a bit like a hospital ward here the last few weeks. Nothing serious, thank God, just chicken pox, colds, coughs, runny noses, fever, earache, out of hours visits to doctor, antibiotics and several sleepless nights. Even poor old Roo, who seemed to have escaped the worst of it, developed a high temperature and was really 'crook', lolling on the sofa with droopy cartoon eyes, very unlike him. One of the more worrying symptoms was an inability/ unwillingness to walk which really put the wind up me, as it seemed scarily similar to one of the symptoms my younger brother suffered with ALD. But our GP, who we have been seeing a lot of lately, reassured us that regular Nurofen was all the little fella needed. Thank God he is back at school now and able to make things such as you see in this post.

2010-11-17T13:32:00.001Z

tough going at the moment...