The story of G

From day one, G was going to be a force to be reckoned with! Born a year to the date that I had my car crash, after a few pregnancy hiccups... in a somewhat dramatic entrance, G entered the world and continues to enrich our lives with a force similar to a windy  weather phenomenon!

G was a small slight baby, she had breathing issues, by issues I mean she used to stop!! Scared the hell out of me but she got better and chubbier  and by 10months she was doing things like this...

G never crawled, she bumbed along which is actually much worse than crawling because not only could she now cover a lot of ground at impressive speed, she also had two free hands. That, coupled with her 'I'm going to do this just because I can' streak,  meant that very often clothes might end up in the pots and pans drawer, shoes in the toilet, toys in the coal bucket etc...


 Luckily, that phase passed once she started walking and climbing but unfortunately that meant that she could reach the really important stuff..i.e. stuff she wasn't allowed at! This was when she discovered new phrases like 'make up' and 'I is pretty now'; that kind of mentality leads to things like this....

There is a whopper of a stubborn streak in G as well which drives me, her dad and her long suffering older sister (who also inherited the dramatic gene!), almost to distraction! But amidst the chaos that G leaves in her wake there is an air of humour (mainly because if I don't laugh I may cry!). There are the kindest little actions and she loves her 'big sista' dearly. She has perfected the art of saying..'I so sorry' ..with her little lisp, hence she does get away with some things.

Almost 3 years old now she idolises 'her big sista ..EM-AY' (a made up name but its sticking!!).She has recently taken to copying/repeating what EMAY says, to the utter annoyance of EMAY!  But when they get along it brings a tear to my eye, when they don't it also brings a tear to my eye, I spend most of my time crying these days! 

What a pair, my girls, EMAY didn't get the little doll that she expected G to be, and G got everything she wanted in a big sista.. Kind and loving with lots of toys, easily wound up and reacts perfectly to situations caused by G and to the amusement of G!!
 However, I do believe the tables will turn, and god help us then, when EMAY retakes the drama queen throne...

A Little Update by Claire

So much has happened over the last few months that my head is still reeling from it all.I haven't posted anything in an age so this is my attempt to rectify....

Summer and school holidays arrived with bang, a big loud thundery bang, bringing with it rain, rain and more rain. Weather wise the summer has been a total wash out, leaving me with restless,grumpy children who just want to be outside playing! Any nice days and the girls are out all day long..or I head off to the beach to ensure they get as much vitamin D as possible!

We have had a lovely holiday in France with my inlaws. I had a built in babysitter in the girls teenage cousin! And it was so nice waking up and being warm!! Not muggy wet humidity but nice dry heat.

The big surprise for the girls was that their dad arrived along after a few days! Both my girls were speechless when they saw him... (Not a usual occurrence in my house .. Speechlessness!!) That made their holiday extra special. 

I knew my husband was arriving but I wasn't meant to know, only his dad was meant to know,as he was collecting him from the airport. So.., I knew but couldn't pretend I knew,his dad knew but didn't know I knew, his mum knew but only his dad knew his mum knew! Confused yet?...His sister knew but I didn't know she knew.. So as it turns out,it really was the worst kept secret ever, we all knew but didn't know that we did! The important thing was that at least the girls were surprised!

Since our lovely holiday which now seems like a lifetime ago, we came home and moved house... That was fun!!

I had my sister's hen weekend ... That Was Fun!! 

But it's all done now and we are slowly getting back to normal, the girls are settled in the new place ( 2year old asks to go home occasionally but she's just a bit confused).Its only short term until we finish building our own house and then I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN!...

Destruction and heroism! by Claire

My 2year old is no shrinking violet. From the moment she was born some form of drama followed and it has been that way ever since. Everyone says the second child is wilder than the first, they talk about the 'terrible twos' but I had no idea what people meant. My eldest wasn't a saint by any means and she is prone to adding a bit of 'dramatic flair' to the most mundane of incidents  (good or bad) but when 2year old gets going .. 
Recently, My 2year old locked herself into the bathroom, of course, the key on the inside of the door, was stuck! So all my coaxing trying to get her to turn the key (in the hope it would come out and we could try sliding it under the door) was in vain. A lot of odd things went through my head..e.g. if I can't get her out, then can I get food in to her (exactly how long did I think she'd be stuck for?)! Or if I break down the door how would I ensure she wasn't standing behind it! Or who does one call in a situation like this .. Locksmith.. Fire brigade .. Supernanny etc.
Anyway, while I was busy being totally irrational, I heard my eldest daughters voice coming from, what sounded like, inside the door! My clever madam remembered the small top window was open and had climbed up on a garden chair and stuck her head in.By the way, this window is  usually closed because I would be at work during the day, but thankfully, as fate would have it, today it was open. With my assistance my 8 year old was able to shimmy through the window and through a clatter of deodorant cans and makeup bottles she managed to jump down and unlock the door and calm returned to our house. 

Later on that evening I heard my 8 year old  on the phone to her grandmother relaying the events and her heroic endeavours..to quote 'Granny, I saved a life today' (and that's the dramatic flair I mentioned earlier!). And (because I'm such a grown up & was feeling left out of all the praise) ..all I could say was 'I helped too!'. 

My 2yearold had recovered exceptionally well from her traumatic experience... laying on the couch with her hands behind her head, without a care in the world. Or was she planning her next attack ... because somewhere between then and the following morning she managed to stuff my printer full of small dolls and dolls accessories. So when I went to print, it made a weird groaning noise, lights started blinking and it stopped dead! Luckily, I happen to be good with printers and such, so I drew on my extensive technological knowledge and concluded that I needed to hit it a few times! It worked, it spewed out half the contents of a dolls house and it started working again! 

Moral of all this ... I don't have a clue maybe ... take keys out of doors; even better remove all doors, and hide all toys ... And always have an extra child around the place as they come in handy when heroics are needed!

Kreativ Blogger Award by Claire

Right so I have been bestowed with the Kreativ Blogger Award thanks to the lovely Elizabeth of  http://40somethingundomesticateddevil.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/kreativ-blogger-award.html?m=1
Thanks Liz!

The Rules of the award are as follows 

1.    Thank and link back to the person who nominated you. 

2.    Answer 10 questions. 

3.    Share 10 random facts about yourself 

4.    Bestow the Kreativ Blogger award on 7 fab bloggers. 

Now to answer 10 questions... 
1.What’s your favourite song? I don't have an all time favourite just a current favourite .. Skinny Love by Bon Iver, but the version that I love is my sister Cathy singing it... Which just happens to be on an earlier post on this blog .. If u want a listen!
2. What’s your favourite dessert? Slice of chocolate cake.. Slightly warmed so it's a bit gooey!!
3.  What ticks you off?  Making little of other people or their efforts, I try not to associate with people who do that!
4. What do you do when you’re upset? I get angry, have a cry or I sing.. Good music helps cheer me up!
5. Which is your favourite pet? I don't have a pet, 2 children are enough right now!
6. What do you prefer: black or white?  Black, it's probably because of the whole looking thinner in black thing!!
7. What is your biggest fear? Messing up as a parent and not being able to protect them!!! 
8.  What is your attitude mostly? I like to say I'm a pessimistic optimist I presume the worst will happen but secretly hope for the best!
9.  What is perfection? It is something that varies from person to person, in my opinion it is something that makes you so content that you never want to change it.
10. What is your guilty pleasure?  A spoon of nutella straight from the jar!

10 Random facts about me..
1. I'm a bit of a sci fi buff.
2. I had braces for years as a teenager.
3. Backpacked around Australia on my own.
4. I dont like my freckles!
5. I sing and play guitar.
6. I had piano lessons but I gave up after a few years .. Wish I hadn't now!
7. I like to knit!
8. I want to work for myself.
9. I am right handed!
10. Some of the best laughs I've ever had are the ones where your meant to be quiet e.g. church!

Now to nominate 7 .. Not easy!!
I have nominated 7 Blogs and if they want to join in .. I'll post their sites (takes the pressure off folks!!!!)
Good luck folks xx

Today we said goodbye to Dad again by Claire

My husband works overseas and saying 'goodbye' is part of the course of our lives for over 2years now. You would be forgiven for thinking it gets easier with 'practise' but saying goodbye never does.

The girls are getting older and the eldest one (7) is better at handling it, the youngest (2) looks up at airplanes and says 'bye daddy'. Whereas,I try being cheerful, I am really grumpy,antisocial and teary for a day or so afterwards but then I have to move on and look towards the next time he'll be home. The children can't make that decision ..to move on as 'matter of factly' as adults but they are quite resilient, and I've seen my girls cope better than me! My husband was explaining to 7yrold that he was leaving again and she informed him that its ok she's used to it and he'll be back. She has explained to my 2yrold that daddy is gone away to work but he will be home soon! Of course, hearing this exchange between my girls is heart wrenching, but 2yrold nods as if she understands and that's it ...discussion over!

Of course it's not really over and daddy is still missed terribly, he is spoken to and about everyday. Every time 2yrold sees a work van same colour as his she says daddy or if she hears a song that they've sung together..; 7yrold stockpiles things that daddy needs to fix when he gets home! 

While that is us, the ones left behind waiting, it must be dreadful actually being the one leaving. Getting on yet another plane;Killing time in yet another airport. Being so far away from  family and seeing the differences in the children each time you are home. That can't be the easiest thing in the world either, to put it mildly!
But unfortunately that's the way it has to be for now and maybe someday soon things will change.

Big and Small Steps

So Killian will be starting school in September.  Gulp!  Also, just found out that so far there are only 2 children starting in Junior Infants (small school - about 53 in the school in total).  So I rang the principal and she put me in contact with the other kid's mammy.  Another little boy will be starting with him, and they had their first playdate on monday.  In one way I couldnt be happier, because it took them less than 5 minutes to become best friends, thick as thieves, and Katie joined in too.  However, I can picture it now, 10 years down the road ( or sooner) cycling to each others houses, staying out all day, making up stories just to meet up and get out of homework, in 12 years time, getting fake ids and sneaking into nightclubs toghether, and if Katie is still in tow, who will be getting a crush on who??  What have we started!!!  By the end of the day, no-one wanted anyone to leave - trying to arrange sleep overs and asking how many sleeps til the next play date.  So maybe take it one day at a time - I am so chuffed for my little boy to have such a nice friend to grow up with, and it will be the making of many more blog posts I'm sure.  Watch this space!!!

First Holy Communion (Finally) by Claire

The day has come and gone in a hive of activity. Visitors have travelled home, the last of the food has been eaten.Things are going back to 'normal'. Except for one major thing.. My first born little girl has made her communion.  First Holy Communion, in my mind, represents one of the mile stones in a child's life, they are growing up (and pushing us on with them).

Only 3 children made communion, 2 girls, 1 boy.Small country school, combined first communion with sunday morning mass, so it became a community event. They were all so cute, and clean and tidy!! As opposed to the untucked shirts, paint covered hands and unruly haired children that greet you after the school day!! They each had to bring gifts to alter and say 2 prayers of the faithful, they were brilliant, no nerves.. I love their confidence, long may it last. All the fussing over clothes and food was worth it.We didn't go OTT it was  a great day shared with family and friends and my daughter loved it.

First Holy Communion 2 by Claire

Preparations are underway for the communion tomorrow. My goodness all this for 1 day!  Purchased the communion dress but when we tried it on at home I noticed it was kind of grubby looking around the neck line! I suppose it was from people trying on the dress but I didn't notice this in the shop.I had to get it dry cleaned; 2 weeks before the communion day dress needed be be taken up a little. So that's done. I had a problem getting white occasion tights because I left it too late to buy them.I did manage to find plain ones and there is the option to wear frilly socks but I had my in-laws checking for tights in Scotland, which proved successful! Because her shoes are new the soles are slippy which is a huge worry because she is doing 2 prayers of the faithful and bringing up the gifts, I will try sandpaper and hairspray to stop slipping! Yikes!! So now the day before the communion we have.. Communion dress, shoes, tights/socks, headgear, bag, book, candle and rosary beads.  For 2yrold we have...dress,tights, new shoes, hairclip ( if one has a pretty thing in their hair the other has to as well!!) . Husband has decided not to don the kilt and go for suit instead so he's sorted and I have my outfit..fashion wise we are good to go!! Next hurdle is food; the plan is to have food back at ours afterwards, so today will be dedicated to sorting out the menu.This is proving a bit of an ordeal because the communion is on at 10am and I will have the family to feed all through the day and I have invited people who are not immediate family after 2.30pm so continuous supply of food is a must!! Thank goodness I have family who will help with that because if left to my own devices the menu would be cocktail sausages and chicken nuggets!  I have had the booze ordered and delivered online.Much easier than physically purchasing it yourself.. (Only had to explain to delivery man that it wasn't all for me!! If I had gone to the shops to buy all the booze I would have met everyone from local priest to local gossip and had to explain over and over that I am not (yet) a roaring alcoholic!!) Tips for future reference..  Check the neckline on communion dress in proper lighting. Get undergarments and accessories early. Be prepared for slippy soles on shoes. Have an alterations person contact incase dress needs altering. Invest in a stain removal pen (fits easily in handbag). If someone offers help to do anything.. Accept!!  That's all for now, will follow up with final communion blog after the day!! Fingers crossed weather will be great.....

appreciation of books through the years

My little boy has had a growing relationship with books since he was a baby - which went something like this:
Age - 1 year - mmm books - look yummy - I think I'll eat them
Age - 2 years - why didnt anyone tell me sooner you can tear paper this is so much fun
Age - 3 years - so there are stories in books and someone can read them to me - ok thats cool
Age - 4 years - I love books, I love the library, i dont want to give the books back to the library though. 

So daddy decided to surprise him one day and photocopied one of his favourite books so we wouldnt have to renew it again (sshhhh, dont tell anyone).  However, daddy was gone to work before he got up that morning and didnt explain what he had done.  Poor Killian got the fright of his life when he saw loose pages of his favourite book sitting beside the television and cried out - Mammy - the girls have been tearing up the books!!!!  How things have changed.  Long may it last!!

My sister Cathy singing 'Skinny Love' by Claire

This is my youngest sister Cathy singing a song called 'skinny love'. She got a present of making a CD for her birthday and this is one of the songs on the CD.
There are more but this is my favourite. The fancy video work is yours truly, pictures of Scottish lakes in winter, cliffs in Kilkee in spring and the view from back garden in winter.  I may upload new videos of my sisters stunning voice but am new to this video producing lark, so it may take a while. On a 'mummy note' my 7yrold has 'matter of factly' asked for half her aunties money when she's famous.. Just like that! I love the simplicity of it! Anyway, have a listen and please let me know what you think.. My sister may not be too happy when she find out what I've done!!! Check out this video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNCDmYdm9Ho&feature=youtube_gdata_player

My Sister - Singing Skinny Love by Claire

My youngest sister Cathy singing see my next blog for background story!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNCDmYdm9Ho&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How and when do you find the time to...By Claire

The Fabulous Moms Guide tagged me in a meme which was originally started by Ms Dolly Daydream ( Sex, drugs, rocker and stroller, baby ) and which posed the question             ‘How  and when do you find the time to…’     and while being tagged was a great honour, the prospect of actually trying to record the ‘madness’ of my daily routine was quite daunting!
Firstly, I want to say that I love the idea of this meme and the insight it gives into ‘how people cope’. I have learned a lot from reading what others have contributed, in particular I learned what a meme actually is; a useful thing to know considering..., i.e. subject that a group of bloggers write about (thanks to Fabulous Moms Guide).
Firstly to list the Rules of this meme:
1- Please post the rules.
2- When answering the questions, please give as much detail as possible!
3- Leave a comment on Sex, drugs, rocker and stroller, baby so we can keep track of the  meme and I can totally steal your routine tips to make my world a happier place.
4- Tag 3 or more people and link to them on your blog.
 So, having completed No:1 above, I shall commence with my first meme!!

How and when do you find the time to…….do your laundry?
Washing machine is constantly going in my house. The laundry basket seems to magically reproduce and multiply clothes.(Once, I put jeans in the laundry basket with €20.00 in the pocket, but do you think the €20.00 multiplied?.. Nooo, in fact that money magically disappeared!).   I do all my laundry in the evening after work, Apparently ‘off-peak’ time is cheaper (Um No). I tend to tumble dry everything (heavier items get put on radiator if heating is on). Tumble drying might be a ‘no no’ in some peoples’ books but for me its convenient, fast and has a guaranteed result of dry clothes, no guarantees with weather. I sort the clothes whenever I get a chance, no exact time.

How and when do you find the time to…….write a blog post?
 I Write blogs whenever I get a chance, if the girls are watching TV, on tea or lunch breaks at work, doctors waiting room! I record blog ideas and notes on my phone and then I tweak and tidy in the evenings or in bed at night.

How and when do you find the time to….look after yourself…i.e. wash your hair, paint your nails, take a bubble bath etc.?
Again, it’s in the evenings when I don’t have anything more urgent to do. My husband works overseas and it’s only me and my girls so I only have time for myself when they are asleep, and sometimes I am so tired I can’t be bothered! But I suppose it depends on ones view of ‘me’ time e.g. I have taken up Knitting, so I consider it ‘me’ time if I get the chance to knit for a while or finish something, (which again I do at night in bed mostly). Someday, I do intend to take up a sexier hobby though!

How and when do you find the time to…….spend time with your other half?
That is a difficult one in our case. Because my husband works overseas and only gets home for 2 weeks every couple of months, it’s very difficult. We try and get out for a night but the girls want to see their dad too, so it’s hard. I try to take days off work when he is home, so we can spend a bit of time together, but there is nearly ALWAYS something to do or somewhere to go.....

How and when do you find the time to…….do fun stuff with your LO?
Evenings and weekends, I love cuddling up with them at bed time too. I try to take them to the Swing park and off to the beach as much as possible because if we are at home I’ll only do housework and that defeats the purpose of our fun time.

How and when do you find the time to…….spend time with family?
 I love spending time with my family, my sisters are my best friends and I don’t know what I would do without them. I see my mum almost every day, don’t see my younger brother or dad as much as that though (must be a guy thing). My in-laws are Scottish and they are great to visit as often as possible and we go to them as much as we can too. Overall, its all a bit irregular!

How and when do you find the time to ….socialise with friends?
This is something I have really let laspse, I see my friends that live near me on and of, mainly due to the ‘having children thing’! I live a bit away from my other friends so a night out involves getting a babysitter out to the ‘sticks’(country) or me going up to the city with my brood, its just so awkward and trying to get a night that everyone is available is neigh on impossible. So, I don’t have an answer for this one!!

How and when do you find the time to ….prepare an evening meal juggling a baby/toddler bedtime routine?
When I get home from work I just do a light snack for me and the girls, they have already eaten through the day , then its wash and bed by 8-8.30pm. Luckily my daughters occupy each other while I cook and there’s always the TV! (Probably too reliant on TV But ...oh well it works for me)

How and when do you find the time to ….deep clean your house?
I get fads of cleaning fits, empty wardrobes, clear out junk and tidy playroom etc once every few weeks; on those days none of the normal stuff gets done!! Other than that a light clean on a weekly basis at weekends.

How and when do you find the time to ….do the food shopping?
Once a week at the weekend mainly, I don’t have a list because I never stick to it anyway. My girls (under duress) and I go to the next town to the supermarket. And then I spend the rest of the weeks’ lunch breaks, from work, going in around Tesco getting things I never got at the weekend shop. Organised chaos!

How and when do you find the time to ….bulk ironing?
This one is an easy answer for me..I don’t!
 I only iron if I need something. My husband loves ironing and I don’t think he trusts me with his shirts (wise man is my hubby)!

So that’s how I do things, no real plan in there at all, just organised chaos with a little sprinkling of luck and a continuous flow of coffee!!

Now to Tag 3 more ..
http://mumofalltrades.blogspot.com
http://miniandmum.blogspot.com/
http://schoolgatestyle.blogspot.com/
Tagged .. ladies your ..you are It! xx

Fairies in the Garden By Claire

I came across these photos taken last summer in the garden.

My 7year old has a wonderful imagination.
However, while she is great at many things, I cannot credit her with taking the photographs.

The photographs were taken by my husband, and honestly if you saw him you would be forgiven for thinking ..'No way, he did not !!

Physically, my Husband is 6ft something, works in construction and built like a rugby player, (and of course .. extremely handsome!).       He does not look like the type of person who would follow his7yearold daughter around the garden, taking pictures of fairies!
But, that's what he did.

They were gone for ages strategically placing the fairies and looking for the best spots to take pictures and when they came back the two of them were trying to convince me that they were real!!

I did not pay too much attention to the pictures at the time but coming across them again brought back a lovely memory and my 7year old, remembered taking them with her Dad, who is, lets face it, a big softie at heart and 'putty' in his little daughters hand!! xx

First Holy Communion By Claire

First holy communion. My eldest daughter will be making her communion in May. First Communion is now made in second class. Somewhere between when I made my communion, and now, it changed from first class to second.I don't know the exact reason for the change but wouldn't be surprised if it was people complaining about gap toothed photos!  For those of you not involved in this process, consider yourselves lucky from a financial perspective! We did not go overboard on spending but how easy it would have been to do so! Luckily my daughter did not pick the most expensive dress or accessories, nor did she go for a highly flamboyant style (phew)! She has picked a beautiful simple style dress with a few sequins and there is a bit of bling on the shoes and a tiny little 'high heel' (well, she wouldn't be related to me if there wasn't a thing for shoes!). 
Going around different stores really opened my eyes, though.While the historic importance and style of the day is still a strong cornerstone, it is the extravagance and the extras that seem to have taken over! Speaking to different shop assistants really shocked me as to the lengths some parents go to especially for girls. 'It's like a mini wedding' was a quote I heard more than once, and it drove me ballistic! 'No, its nothing like a wedding nor should it be' I wanted to scream at some parents! However, for my own safety I thought better of it and just eavesdropped & tried to conceal  my shock at some things I heard. Communion dresses costing over €250, fake tan, hair extensions, nails, for both mother and daughter! I even heard talk about limo's! Honestly, I would hate to see their weddings if this is a communion! Things have changed a lot, the whole 'no veil' thing got me, I thought it was an unspoken rule that girls had to have a veil but apparently not anymore. My daughter picked her own headwear and it's beautiful. Giving nothing away until the day!! We live in a rural area and there  are only 3 children making communion which will be incorporated with mass on Sunday so I am not expecting anything too 'OTT' ..in fact the flamboyance may be up to me!!

Multi use household products By Claire

I found an old 'household hint' book. What a revelation; loads of natural hints on first aid, beauty, and loads of cleaning. All using normal household products.  I have tried some of the tips and was surprised at the results.
Lemon juice: most people have lemon juice in the fridge, mine is always left over from pancake tuesday and rarely used again. It is a really handy product with many of different uses for around the home.

It is useful for cleaning and has a lovely fresh smell (make sure you rinse it though!). It is apparently also good as a beauty product..lightens blonde hair, helps tightens pores. Mixed with egg yolk and olive-oil it makes a good face mask! I have tried the face mask found it ok; there was no major beauty transformation, didn't have allergic reaction (and I still have a face...always a good sign!!). My skin did feel softer. Must rinse properly or else you will be smelling raw egg all day! Verdict lemon juice is definitely a useful and versatile household product and is very underestimated in my opinion.

Vinegar is another handy product. It is excellent for cleaning, the brown vinegar smells more than clear but if you rinse, that deals with the smell. It is apparently great for cleaning windows and mirrors, haven't used myself though, windows are my husbands job. Vinegar is also great for cleaning hairbrushes. It is also meant to be great to give hair a lovely shine; apply after shampoo, rinse and use conditioner if you have dry hair. (Don't know about coloured hair). I do intend to try it, so I will let you know.
But the best product with most uses has to be Bicarbonate of Soda or Baking Soda. This has so many uses that every home should have a few boxes. Cleaning- put a bit on a damp cloth to wipe surfaces, then rinse off with a damp cloth. As it removes tough grime you can use it on garden furniture etc after winter storage. Similarly for cleaning the floor make sure to rinse, I googled this and it's is suitable on all types of floors.. but you might want to check that yourself. You can also make up a solution of bicarbonate of soda and water for cleaning silver, burnt on food in pots (steeping required) and greasy spills. Stubborn bathroom stains come off with a strong solution.. and a bit of elbow grease..and not a 'cillit bang' in sight!

My favourite use for bicarbonate of soda is de-odourising, I use it in the fridge or sprinkling it in the bin to keep away any nasty smells (really handy if you have baby nappies). If there is a smell of stale smoke or if you just want to freshen a room..try sprinkle some on a carpet or rug leave 20 mins and then hoover. I also add a little to the powder tray in washing machine, to ensure a really good clean. It can help unclog drains as well and better for the environment than other products.
Bicarbonate of Soda is a good beauty product.
 Helps whiten teeth and eliminates bad breath, makes an excellent face scrub, mix with shampoo to stop build up of hair products, use as a Foot soak or Bathing. I sprinkled a bit in the bath when my 7yrold had chicken pox. It cooled down her skin and eased the itching. Baking soda is apparently also great to quench grease and electrical fires. Thank god I can't comment on that one and don't want to ever find out! That is just a brief overview of some multi purpose products, all safe, non toxic and very reasonably priced! I have not tried all their uses yet...but I will.

Mid Term break:Dara

I havent been blogging recently for a number of reasons, but am not going to make excuses.  Lets just say 2 kids on mid term from preschool with energy to burn burns your energy!!!  However, we have had a ball.  We have been to Galway - check out the Aquarium in Salthill - well worth a visit, the guides will let the kids touch star fish and crabs.  We bought paint to paint our house.  Unfortunately the only paint currently on the walls was put there by a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old with mini paint brushes and narrowly escaping the windows!  We have visited friends and relations, and made loads of new friends over the Easter.  However, I think today was the highlight of their break.  We visited a friend who has 2 daughters, who we havent visited in a while.  Between wanting to change into pyjamas to have a pyjama party (including my little boy almost being put into princess pjs) and packing their backpacks to go on an adventure around the house like 3 Doras and 1 Boots, there was a silence, which first we thought meant they were getting tired and chilling in the playroom.  NEVER TRUST QUIET CHILDREN!   The 3 youngest had stripped off all their clothes and hopped into the bath together running the freezing cold tap having the time of their lives.  All we could do was laugh as we tried to distinguish whose clothes were whose as they were strewn all over the hall, bathroom, bedroom etc.  My kids didnt want to go home, and the 2 girls wanted to come home with us.  I wish it was that easy normally to get them into the bath and pjs!!!

Well done Claire

Well done Claire on your nomination.  You so deserve it.  You have been keeping this blog going.  In all fairness, I havent been contributing as I should have, and Claire, who is raising 2 wonderful daughters while her husband works abroad, has been doing an amazing job keeping us entertained, informed and smiling.  Keep it up Babe!!!

The Crown Jewels By Claire

My grandparents used to live near an old castle, and when I was little and visited, I would make up stories about the castle, a King, Queen and Princess etc. I would play dress-up with my grandmothers clothes and shoes and she would let me play with her jewellery, and that was the best part. I always believed she was given the jewellery by the queen who lived in the castle, and my grandmother never said anything to the contrary, so from then on my grandmothers jewellery was called 'The Crown Jewels'. I was a very imaginative child! (My imagination wasn't helped by my uncle telling me he would take me to visit the queen in the castle someday..Still waiting uncle (you know who you are!!)).
Anyway, I digress, when I was about 8 or 9 my grandmother gave me some of 'The Crown Jewels'. And I, Knowing their worth, hid them for safe keeping from my sisters. They stayed hidden over the years, through various house moves and I had completely forgotten about them,until today.

I was looking, in an old loom box, for my old first holy communion chain to give to my daughter for her communion ..... when I found a dusty old box. The box itself, in my mind, reeks treasure..my dad gave it to me when I  was very young, it was filled with sweets at the time and had its own tiny padlock and key.. it was the perfect place to put my valuables.

 I opened it the little box and inside were 'The Crown Jewels' over 25 years later and just as I had left them!!!
 I am going to get them cleaned up and then I will pass them on to my 7yrold daughter.. I can't wait to see her face ...she will love them.

But
What story should I tell? Should I go with '....'The Crown Jewels' given to a great grandmother by the queen '.. Or.. do I go with .....the truth?

The Versatile Blogger Award By Claire

I have only been blogging for 3 weeks and not am even sure if I'm doing it right, So it is Fantastic to be nominated for this award, actually any award at all!!! I have to mention that this is a joint blog with my friend Dara, and I probably would not be blogging if she wasnt involved..

Now to for the official business ..the rules state that one must firstly 'thank the blogger who has awarded you and link back to them' ....

Well Elisabeth, @lizzie_loodles, I sincerely thank you for the nomination.. in other words I am dead chuffed. This is a testimant that #Followfriday on twitter works because I followed Elisabeth on the recommendation of another great blogger (@FabulousMoms) and I have to say I have really enjoyed reading Elisabeths blog   ie http://40somethingundomesticateddevil.blogspot.com/ (what a cool name BTW).

Next Rule : 'Share 7 things about myself ' ....Uh Oh .. here is where it could get messy ..

1. I am married to a Scottish man.

2. My sisters are my best friends.

3. My Co-Blogger Dara and I have have won a local band competition!!

4. The Infamous Louis Walsh heard us (my sisters and I) singing and said he liked us and we had great potential...(nope still no recording contract)..

5. I backpacked around Australia by myself.. just me, my rucksack and my guitar!(I did discover a mouse in my rucksack in Alice Springs so technically I wasnt really alone all the way!!)

6. I have a BA Degree specialising in Social Research and a Graduate Diploma in Business and have used neither and probably never will : (

7. I bite my nails...Yuck... Really intend to stop soon though!

Rule No: 3  'Pass the award onto 5 other newly discoverd bloggers'

Well,  I really want to nominate my co-blogger Dara .. but is that cheating? Probably..I dunno..

I am going to nominate blogs that I have enjoyed reading and they are all newly discovered to me.. they may have already been nominated .. but I think thats ok? isnt it.. if not let me know and I will amend..Hope ye dont mind but here's my nominations

1. http://miniandmum.blogspot.com

2. @SAHDandproud  - https://sahdandproud.wordpress.com

3. @farfromhomemama - http://threeyearsandonestonethenhome.com

4. @Helenamoloney  - http://thymeonyourhands.blogspot.com/

5.@IrishAllergyMum - http://allergybab.blogspot.com

So thats it done and dusted.. Hope all nominees are ok with nominations.. Looking forward to seeing what comes of this.. I hope its someone I know...

Bye a while  Cheers Claire xx

Silent Reflux By Claire

When my now 2yrold was born, she was perfectly healthy at 6lb8oz. I was feeding her myself, she was putting on weight. When she was 6 weeks old, I sat her up to wind her and I saw that she was not breathing, and her eyes were not registering anything.I grabbed her,and with my 7yrold in tow,I ran next door to get help. On the way way I looked down at her again and she was fine! I went to doctor, was sent to hospital. Unfortunately, they thought I was an over protective new mum and sent me home,doubting myself! There were a few more instances and one particularly bad one .. Which eventually led to her being hospitalised. They couldn't find anything wrong.Eventually they decided she had silent reflux;She was shutting down her own airways to stop the reflux acid going into her lungs. I was prescribed tablets.. for an 8 week old baby of all things!! After that I followed all the relevant reflux guidelines and eventually when she was approximately 7months old she came off medication and was fine....
I didn't get too heavy on this, on purpose, blog mainly because it still scares me to death and I still have nightmares over 'what ifs'.
But the point I want to make is  ..'always go with your gut and don't stop until you are sure and satisfied that your child is getting the best treatment'  
Feel free to add or comment etc