Easter Eggs

Since Gemma and I won't be here for Easter, I surprised Gemma and Paul with our Easter Eggs last night after dinner. 

I asked them to close their eyes. 

Then, they got their surprises!

Day out with Daddy!

Yesterday Gemma and Paul had a day out so that I could get everything packed and ready to go for Gemma's and my trip to Minnesota (we leave on Thursday)!

They started with breakfast in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, where they met a couple of Paul's friends. 

Next, they went to Powerscourt Waterfall, where they climbed the rocks and played on the playground. 

Their last stop was Greystones, County Wicklow, to throw some stones into the sea!

March Happenings!

Spring is beginning to arrive here, so we're enjoying the longer days and being able to be outside a bit more! March has been eventful so far!

Friday, March 4th was National Pyjama Day in creche- here's Gemma after Paul collected her. 

I wasn't home that evening because I got an unexpected surprise of going to the Adele concert with one of my friends as an early Mother's Day gift. It was amazing!

On Tuesday, March 8th, Gemma and I made a trip to Ikea, and she found some shoes that she thought she should have! 

Enjoying the playground in our square on Wednesday, March 9th. 

Trying out some St. Patrick's Day costumes at Liffey Valley on Friday, March 11th. 

Playing at St. Catherine's Park and Gemma's first time through a car wash on Sunday, March 13th. 

On Friday, March 18th I had taken the day off work, so Gemma and I took the bus into Dublin (her first bus trip) to meet two of my college friends who were vacationing in Ireland for coffee. After we met them, Gemma and I walked around and did some shopping. Gemma is obsessed with maps lately, so she was super excited to find this!

And then, she chilled out in Dunne's!

St. Patrick's Day

We were in Dublin this year for St. Patrick's Day. When I collected Gemma from creche on Wednesday afternoon, she was ready to celebrate!

On the day, we went to the nearby town of Maynooth, County Kildare for their parade in the morning. 

In the afternoon, we went into Dublin to Croke Park, the Gaelic Athletic Association headquarters. The Gaelic Football Senior Club Final was on, and a team from Castlebar in County Mayo was playing, so we went to show our support. 

Unfortunately the result didn't go our way! 

It was a great St. Patrick's Day!

Gemma's First Mayo Match!

On Sunday, March 6th (which was also Mother's Day here), we travelled with Gemma to Clones, County Monaghan for her to see her first live Mayo Senior Gaelic Football match. She was very excited!

Packing a picnic lunch is kind of a tradition for matches, and we ate ours in the car when we arrived. 

It was a beautiful, sunny day!

Mayo won the match! Gemma's favourite part was going on the pitch after to meet some of the players. Here we are with Conor O'Shea. 

She didn't want to leave the pitch and kept asking when the next match was! 

February Fun

February was a busy month for us! The first weekend we had a wedding down in Mayo on Friday, February 5th, so we spent a long weekend in Louisburgh. 

Tuesday, February 9th was Pancake Tuesday! Gemma enjoyed making and eating them this year!

Paul is currently the chairperson of the Mayo Association Dublin, and their annual dinner dance was Saturday, February 13th. 

Valentine's Day was a low key celebration this year with some special treats and a balloon!

Gemma and I had a fun afternoon at the Pirate's Village play place on Monday, February 15th. 

On Saturday, February 20th we had Gemma's photos taken at the Play Cafe, (plus had some play time!) in the morning, then Paul and I headed to Galway for the night for the Mayo Association Galway dinner dance. Gemma got to stay home with granny!

At the end of the month I went to Cork overnight for a continuing education course and had a hen party in Dublin. Gemma got some quality time with Daddy, including a trip to Howth to walk on the pier!

January in Review!

Well, I think that was one of the fastest Januarys ever! We had a lot of wet, windy, stormy weather, but we got outside when we could and had a few other fun outings!

Gemma on January 2nd- Paul took her to a playground near Louisburgh when they were still there after Christmas. 

January 11th- Gemma and I spent the afternoon in the seaside town of Dun Laoghaire, south of Dublin. 

January 16th- Paul, Gemma, and I spent the afternoon in town. Here's Gemma with Molly Malone. 

January 17th- Out to dinner. Gemma loves ice cream!

January 20th- Enjoying some lefse that Grandpa sent us. That night when I was putting her to bed, I asked her her favourite part of the day. Her reply: 'eating lefse'!

January 22nd- Gemma and I spent the afternoon at a nearby pirate themed indoor play place. 

January 30th- A trip to the cinema with Daddy in the late afternoon after a birthday party earlier in the afternoon!