As long as the yogurt and the dress are the same color, you're fine...

Greetings from Dublin!!

Once again, these past few days have been pretty hectic! I survived the multi-friend playdate but still had a busy weekend in front of me...

On Saturday, the girls had drama in the morning and Claire and I went for coffee and our weekly update meeting! When we got back to the house, Katie had to go into speed mode, because she had a birthday party to attend, and the gift was yet to be wrapped... After much coaxing and rushing she got dressed, signed the card the singing 'High School Musical' card (also added some more decorations) and wrapped up the present as the door bell rang, signaling her friend's arrival to pick her up and bring her to her house.

As soon as Katie left, Claire and I headed down to my cottage to get things set up for my upcomming housemate! Emma and Laura joined our march down the garden because Nigel, who had just returned from San Fransisco that morning, was trying to catch a few hours of sleep. Claire and I set up the air matress in the spare room while the twins watched Winnie the Pooh on my tv. They also wandered over to my laptop, which was sitting on the one chair and checked it out. Claire sternly warned them not to touch it, ans they insisted they were only looking. My wallpaper in the interior of the Mellon Arena and Emma told me she loved my hockey background. I was so excited they knew what hockey was!! I might try and convert them into little pens fans!!!

I spent the rest of the day in massive cleaning mode, because I had come to notice, the place was a mess!! During my afternoon tidying spell, I got a second visit from the twins. Their arrival was shorty followed by their father who was searching for them. I reassured him the girls could stay through the episode of Spongebob and I'd send them back afterwards. Which was actually easier than I thought it was going to be.

Dinner was once again, a hectic affair, but entertaining as well. The girls learned a mime in drama and insisted on performing it halfway through the meal. They still have trouble with the whole no talking concept, but the acting isn't bad. When they sat back down, Nigel noticed a spot on Emma's pretty pink dress, which Claire told him was yogurt that Emma spilled on her hands and wiped off on her dress earlier in the day. Emma explained that it was okay to do that because the yogurt and the dress were the same color, so it evened out. I loved the logic!!

The next morning, Sunday, I got up very very early to meet my cab that was taking me to the airport to pick up ANNA!!!!!! I got to the arrivals gate and waited with my book, looking up at everyone that walked through. I knew that going through immigration and getting luggage takes forever so I wasn't worried. After a bit, figuring I had another 15-20 mins before she arrived, I looked around at the other people waiting. I saw a girl walking around looking confused. I knew it couldnt've been Anna, because I would've seen her come out, but I kept watching. Out of curiosity, I got up and walked near where she was...just incase. And guess what...It was Anna! haha. Turns out her flight got in 45mins early... so after laughing at out stupidity for awhile, we got a cab and headed back to the house. I introduced her to the Clerkins, then let her get some sleep. We walked around a bit of town in the late morning and hit the amazing coffee shop by the girls' drama school, then spent the rest of the day inside. She's really liking Dublin so far, and loves the Clerkins, who were wonderful enough to have us both over for dinner that night!!

After dinner and playing with the girls, who were INSANELY well behaved at dinner, we went back to the cottage for a bit, before making a quick ice cream run in the cold rain. The ice cream was amazing though!! We also both tried out first Guinness (sp?). I have to say, I'm not a fan. The aftertaste is pretty brutal, but Anna really liked hers.

Today has been pretty interesting so far. I got the girls ready for school and started cleaning up when the builders came to start working on the repairs for the house (they messed up the first time...). Also the gardners are here and the cable guy just left. Hopefully everything will get all sorted out by the end of today!

Anna and I went out for brunch today and I'm hoping to take her downtown once I get the girls to ballet (they'll be home in less than an hour).

I heard I missed the NHL All-Star game and watching Geno be a goofball... I did however find a hockey game on tv early on Saturday morning before work. It was the Sharks and Cannucks game, so I wasn't overly concerned about who won. It was just nice to see some hockey again!! Have I missed the Superbowl yet? I hope we get it here, my 'Burgh boys are in it!!! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! = )

Hope everyone is doing well!!
-J