Once upon a time, before I had any children, I always thought I would have a houseful. Three or four, probably four. Like I said, that was when I had none. Then, I had one. He was lovely, even lovelier once he got over the colic and the screaming and…
The boys’ school reports arrived this week. Their teachers said nice things about them and used words like “mannerly” and “polite”. We checked that we’d been sent the right kids’ reports, then smiled smugly at one another that something had sunk in and patted one another on the back for…
Castlecomer Discovery Park was on our list of places to go last summer, but between weddings and holidays we didn’t make it. We arrived and went in to the Information Centre to check things out. The reception area itself is spacious and modern and has a very nice coffee shop…
We are all at high doh. Bursting with excitement. We’ve a big occasion today. It’s something that hasn’t happened in our family in ten years. We’ve been planning our outfits, our kid-keeping-occupied activities and our route. The boys have been quizzing us complaining that mass is boring and can we…
You know how we like to go on family days out? I post pictures on instagram of happy smiling children enjoying the fresh air. Good, outdoorsy, wholesome stuff. Family fun. Lots of our family days out are like that. But I’m also committed to keeping it real. So for balance…
Two friends both recommended Derval O’Rourke’s cookbook “Food for the Fast Lane” around Christmas. I’d noticed it in shops a few weeks earlier but hadn’t really been drawn in, as I presumed it wouldn’t have been family friendly and would be all about the protein shakes. But with…
I’ve already confirmed that “The Perfect Family Christmas” doesn’t exist, but what about the perfect family Christmas Day? You know, the ones with the champagne and smoked salmon for breakfast, new outfits for all, beautifully wrapped gifts, carol singing, piano-playing, charades and board games, restaurant quality dinners eaten and enjoyed…
“I love Christmas”, I annually proclaim when the shops are still full of pumpkins. “I can’t wait” I say, doing my child-present-recon for Santa in November, visiting toy shops for ideas and leafing through catalogues with small people. “I’m feeling decidedly Christmassy” I announce, with a glass of mulled wine…
I admit I wasn’t convinced when I saw the flier for Kylemore Abbey in our holiday house. My immediate reaction was that it sounded boring, and that the kids wouldn’t like it. Then, I cast my prejudices aside and set about reading the brochure rather than just looking at the…
I was delighted to attend the launch of Paul Flynn’s new book in conjunction with Lidl last week, and to get my hands on a copy of the book. The launch was held in one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever been in, No 10 Ormond Quay in Dublin…
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