Ireland et al

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Well Ireland was all right. The wedding of course, was beautiful. The trip there was largely uneventful! Only two legs, which is nice and relatively tight connections.
We arrived Monday morning in Dublin to no luggage. *sigh*. we were all ready exhausted of course, rented a car, which costs a billion dollars in insurance because no cars are covered under most traditional CC's. then we were off to the small town of Clifden, very west Ireland. I kept falling asleep the entire time and the bottle of antibiotics I had purchased for Kiera before we left came in really handy. She was very sick and had a high fever, but as soon as I gave her that stuff, she was perkier within 5 hours. thank goodness.
we met up with our friends in Galway and drove for another hour or so along some tiny roads where people race along like they are double lane highways. There was a mix up with the house I thought we were renting, but it was still available. I like to say we were in po dunk Ireland. seriously. in the middle of no where.
we didn't do a heck uv a lot. there was no phone, a TV with two channels (which has, I might add a 120 Euro tax a YEAR) and obviously no internet. We were down the street from a monument made to men flying across the Atlantic successfully for the first time. Kiera went on a pony ride for a half an hour. I was quite proud of her, she took to it like a fish to water. One time the instructor walked away and the horse moved and Kiera didn't even flinch :) Kalista did fine on the flights THERE, the way home she was a bit of a pill. The girls dress, which only 3 months ago were touching the ground were now above both their ankles. Kiera is wearing her ugly shoes because her nice shoes had not yet come.
we went on a ferry, which the girls enjoyed, but there was *nothing* to do on the island it was FREEZING. and Doug forgot Kalista's shoes, so she was being held the whole day. there was some cool castle ruins to explore, but the tide was coming and we would have been stuck on that part until it left. that would stink.
the weather was really bad on Sunday when we woke up so we cut it short, cleaned like mad and did a leisurely drive to Dublin. stopped in Galway for dinner and a bit of exploration. and then found a great hotel for a great price just outside of Dublin. after we got there, I went down to the restaurant looking for some ice cream and I said to the guy "we're just looking for some ice cream" to which he said" just a second!" and wentinto the kitchen to bring us two bowls of ice cream, ON THE HOUSE and practically shooed us out the door. LOL.
So that was pretty much the trip. Not like Egpyt cool, but it was pretty relaxing and we'd do it again, I mean the travel part. another country next time.

This is a funny recent conversation I had with Kiera:
"mommy, could be go and see winter?"
"I am not sure what you mean Kiera"
"could we drive to see winter, or should we fly? because if its winter, its going to be CHRISTMAS and then we'll great presents"
me chortling in the front seat. I then explained to her the seasons "the leaves will turn red and it will turn colder" and then it will be winter. but we can't FLY or drive to winter"....
She full on started preschool today. she missed her second and third classes. she seems to be liking it so far.
we also said bye to the binkies this time, with much fan fare. I am 90% sure I have them all this time though. and she really *got* saying goodbye to them. in fact she cried for about 20 minutes about it. I told her the BF was coming and we had to pack all her binkies up. she cuddled with daddy one last time and when the time came, dropped the last binky into the plastic bag, sobbing the whole time. but she did it. and she fell asleep without it. and by God, this will be the LAST TIME SHE EVER HAS ONE IN HER MOUTH AGAIN.