Almost Perfect

There are some moments as a parent that I couldn't possibly make up, and If I'm honest, I wouldn't actually want to. Yesterday held one such moment.

We had just enjoyed a spontaneous early evening swim in the ocean, which was just as wonderful as it sounds-that precious combination of a balmy evening and a beautiful Donegal beach just couldn't be wasted so off we went- Himself, myself and four of the kids, a blanket, a towel and two spades between us.

And having read this and having done this , I was determined not to let my jelly belly and wobbly thighs get in the way of a frolic in the sea with the children. So I braced myself and stripped off and after the first few excruciating moments it was fine, and we played and splashed and swam and dunked.
Then after a wee while, it was time to go - toddlers still get tired and boys still start bickering, even on the most gorgeous of evenings, and very quickly the perfect moment had passed and it all became a 'Right! Let's get this feckin' show on the road, ASAP'.

 I was just drying off a whinging Luke when Rory suddenly stopped mindlessly kicking sand over the blanket, stared transfixed at Luke's tummy, and declared 'Woah! what's that horrible stuff coming out of his belly button?'

 I looked down swiftly, at a belly button that certainly appeared to be oozing something green. Dear God, had he contracted some kind of gross belly button infection that I'd somehow missed? Should we bring him to hospital right now? Would he need an antibiotic?

 Meanwhile,  Rory was now kneeling down and examining Luke's belly button with fascinated interest, before nodding slowly and delivering his verdict,
 'It's okay, don't worry, it's just snot! He's got bogers in his belly button! Then he added delightedly  'Ugh yuck, that's disgusting!'

As I calmly wiped the offending belly button with our communal towel, I simply felt relief that no
trip to the after hours trip doctor was required, while Luke beamed proudly as the tale of the gross belly button was relived with relish all the way back to the Caravilla.

A Monday Minute

 I usually enjoy a bit of a yarn with you on a Monday, but that won't be happening today I'm afraid, because I have not one, but two boys off school with high temperatures, sore throats and bad coughs. So I'm just grabbing a break right now, between ladling calpol into the pair of them and just generally dispensing endless TLC. I've no doubt that any minute now I'll hear another pitiful, terribly feeble cry of 'Mammy!, and I'll have to take my leave. (I HAVE noticed though that if that wavering little call is ignored for any length of time, it DOES seem to rally and grow somewhat stronger and more distinct. Just saying.)

This is definitely one of those times where my being at home makes family life a little bit easier all round. I have to say that I'm very glad I didn't have to bundle up and offload two sick children on a friend or relative this morning..although it's probably more likely than one of us would have taken a day off, and let's face it, we all know who that would be! So, even though it mightn't always FEEL like a big plus, today I know that it  is. Like every other parent, I often find myself doubting our choices, wondering if we should be doing things differently, pondering if I'd perhaps be a better role model to my children, (never mind being a bit more flush!), if I was out at work. But for right now, I'm simply going to acknowledge the fact that it's a bonus, that while we've children off sick, I'm able to be here with them easily.

On a lighter and MUCH more frivolous note, I wanted to show you my newest footwear purchase- this cheeky little pair of Fly London ankle boots, that I bought on sale, reduced from £115 to £34.50, a tote amaze 70% saving, thank you very much! I'd wanted a comfy but stylish pair of everyday boots, only I'm allergic to completely flat footwear, but VERY partial to a wedge, so these were perfect. They arrived on Thursday and I've worn them all day every day since, and they're as comfortable as slippers, only clearly MUCH more fabulous!

 And the best part? I managed to flog two pairs of Fly London 'gently worn but with lots of wear left so grab yourself a bargain!' boots on eBay which covered the cost, so schweet to the beat! Who's the Mama, eh!!?? Must go, I'm sure I hear a weak little voice somewhere calling my name. Hope Monday's good to you! Emxx



  I've joined up with Sarah Miles at Hello Wall today-go on over and take a peek at the rest! 

Fancy a Snack?

Our eldest boy Jude has just started his first year at the 'big school', leaving primary school far behind him. (Although for the record, so far, he's also managed to leave his blazer, phone, bus pass, school bag, gym socks and towel far behind him too, but that's a whole other post!)
He now does Gaelic football after school on a Friday, and afterwards he catches the public bus home with two friends.  Before this, it has swiftly become the modus operandi for the three boyos to pop into Tescos to purchase, and subsequently eat,  their own weight in sweets. After which he then arrives home and tucks into his waiting dinner. As you do.
Last Friday evening between mouthfuls of fish fingers he marveled aloud at how far he and his pals had been able to make their pooled money stretch that week. 
'Really? What did you get?'  I asked him, naively assuming they'd had a bar of chocolate or a packet of crisps each.
'Well', he said, clearly delighted with himself, 'We bought a bottle of lemonade between us for 17p. Imagine, a whole 2 litres for only 17p!!' He shook his head in wonder. 'There was so much we couldn't even drink it all!'
'Oh yes indeed, that WAS good value', I agreed, banishing all thoughts of their inevitable communal backwash out of my mind. 
'We bought a box of doughnuts between us too...there were 18 in it, so that was 6 each, and after that we shared a HUMUNGUS bag of sweets between us!' 
 I looked at him aghast as he efficiently shoveled another forkful of ketchup and chips into his mouth.
 'Did you really eat all that? Just there now before you came in?'
'Yes', he said beaming with pride, 'we did! Every single bit. But don't worry, I'm still hungry for my dinner. But do you know what the very best part was?' 
Emmmm, let me think,.. the sheer, unadulterated gluttony of it all?  (No, I didn't say that- I just speechlessly raised an eyebrow instead.)
'The best part was that it cost us just 71p each. That's £2.13 alotogether!! For all that! Can you believe it?  Wasn't that brilliant?'
 He sat back, shaking his head, clearly reliving the highlights all over again.
'And then we were talking about it on the bus, and I know everybody always says about quality over quantity, but we all think that we'd definitely rather have it the other way round....Is there anything for afters?' 

( I've joined up on this post with the fab Sarah Miles at Hello Wall for her Monday Club link. Check out them all here.)