The last two months have been intense! We took our first family holiday to the south of France and a week later, we took the kids to London. Travelling with kids is a serious undertaking (but more on this later). There have been countless birthday parties and celebrations – hello my fellow 28-year-olds – and even some overnight staying visitors. We truly packed a mountain into a molehill for the start of summer.
In the latter part of June, it’s been all about the Q. My husband and I have dreamed of setting up a life where we move outdoors in the summertime. Our house may be small, but our ambitions are not. Summers in Ireland are completely unpredictable, so that means creating shelter from rain. When we get an idea into our heads, it’s impossible to let it go until we get ‘er done so without further ado, I introduce you to our little Kamado Bono charcoal grill. She’s red, she cooks, and she’s the reason I don’t have to make dinner alone anymore.
Ladies, if you need a break from cooking dinner, convince your husband that he’ll be amazing at barbecue. Dangle tomahawk steaks and briskets before him and let nature work its course. The only part of dinner I look after is the sides and a big bowl of homemade coleslaw will last for days.
It’s been a blissful time sitting out under our gazebo and eating delicious food. We even did something we never do, which is drink wine. On Sunday, while the Kamado was roasting a chicken, I whipped out a bottle of sparkling white wine and we got a little pre-dinner drunk. It was probably the most fun I’d had since our holiday, drinking wine and eating chocolate while watching Adam Sandler movies. Vacationing with your kids means bedtime when your kids go to bed.
Rain has set in now but I’m hopeful it will clear up by July. Thankfully, it coincides with my kids being sick so there’s been a lot more TV time than usual. I’m abnormally tired too which has my thoughts spiralling in a thousand different directions. My cycle still isn’t normal since having my second so is another too-soon period on the way?? Or baby No. 3? Will this ever end?? I’m putting off taking a test because the last two times I felt convinced I was pregnant, I took a test and that very day was the start of my period.
And maybe it’s just the extra workouts I’m getting in… who knows!
Speaking of holidays, I’m already looking forward to the next one. Four flights, two of them delayed, one of them diverted, and countless taxi rides, train journeys, and road trips went into making our May vacations happen. My three-year-old was an absolute star! She’s probably at the best age for travel. Isabelle loved every second of it. The baby… was a little more hands-on. Believe it or not, the DVD player I bought for the trips came in handy distracting our 10-month-old baby more effectively than the toddler. And chocolate.
Look, I’m not a perfect mom and when you’re several hours deep into travelling and missing the comfort of strapping your kids into car seats, you’ll do whatever it takes and chocolate was the answer to everything.
My husband and I learned quickly from our first flight and things got way easier when we made a few adjustments. The airport was simple IF Isabelle sat in the stroller and Diana went into the body harness. Airports have separate security for families – didn’t know this and it was a lifesaver. Second, the aforementioned chocolate and plenty of drinks. We kept the girls content with a square here and there. Third, we put our smallest passengers in the middle seat. Although the window seat is the most exciting for a toddler, we were all a lot more comfortable when we moved her to the middle and I sat at the window. I allowed Isabelle to sit on the floor too if she wanted and Diana sprawled out on the seat with a movie. I expect my kids to entertain themselves so it wasn’t that tough once we got on the plane. However, if the flight is delayed way past their bedtime… I’m sorry in advance.
10 out of 10 will do it again.
Anyway, that’s all for now, gotta jet! The baby is napping which means I can get a workout. We’re watching Smallville (currently on season 8) and there’s nothing more motivating than that tv show.
