4 Sam

Between an unusually clingy baby, and coordinating birthday celebrations, it's been a long two days, and this blog entry has taken a bit of a back seat. Ordinarily, this kind of delay would bend me out of a shape a bit, but not my Sam. Sam, the epitome of chill, simply takes everything in his stride, trusts the process, and without any apparent preparation, times things to perfection.

So here is his birthday post: without prior planning, and still published just in time!


Dear Sam

Today you are four years old, and it's like, since this morning, someone has turned a switch. All at once, there is no more toddlerness left; only big boy. You suddenly look taller, and fuller; you do things differently; and you sound so much smarter and more grown up.

I recall fondly your baby days, and relish the bits of you that have remained throughout the changes. 
Like how your joy still takes over your entire face as your smile stretches wide, and your eyes scrunch up in delight. And how I am regularly undone by your cheeky sense of humour and infectious laugh - often at the most inappropriate times and situations.

They say no one tests a parent's gangster quite like a second child, and you are no exception. I distinctly remember a post not long after you were born predicting a third child based on your already emerging middle-child syndrome. Your strong will and quiet assurance puts mine to the test as you challenge and redefine every idea of normal that I have. Since the start, you sing your own tune, your own way, in your own time, leaving me sometimes anxious, often exhausted, and yet, always proud. I love that you live life passionately, with disregard for expectations, limitations or regrets - and that you make me want to do the same.

You are my wild card; my every-day-a-new-adventure. From your insightful musings about the world, to your lavish affection, you change perceptions and people for the better. My life is so much richer, just for having you in it.

As you enter this exciting chapter of growing independence, I look forward to seeing all the new things you - and I - will learn. I pray that the world is kind, that you will know hope, and that you will always remember I'm never too far for you to stretch out your hand and feel mine.

Happy birthday, you silly goose. I love you so!

Mommy x

Fireman Super-Sam

Junior Cycle Tour 2019

For the first time since 2013 I did not participate in Junior Cycle Tour this year. It was quite something to acknowledge considering that this has become a bit if an institution in our family.

Back when we first started, I would like the kids in their buggy for a fairly relaxed stroll. Both Sam and Bayley have done the race in utero while I push an older sibling or cousin through the route. As the kids got older they would move onto push bikes; their tiny, chubby legs racing them around the circuit as fast as possible, and after that to small kid bikes - with pedals but no need for a helmet - while I run breathlessly behind them.

This year though, we finally had a child graduate to big bike. And this means having a co-pilot that rides alongside you, the whole route. And so I was relieved. (Well, that, and the fact that I was on band duty at church).

Sam, when he thought he "won"

While the big kids were racing

Waiting at the finish line

Zac crossing the finish with a loud "boo-yah!"

Jorja: cool, calm and completely in control!

Ethan and Angel racing to the line

Post race drinks and celebrations for all

Thanks to:
Aunty Ash for always organising everything
Uncle PJ for setting up video footage
Andel for riding the route with the big kids
Pops for bussing everyone to the venue

It was fun and exhausting, and for a moment crossing the finish line, each kid felt like a rockstar! It was a good day.

Bucket List: Try Camping in a Tent

The annual camp out at Zac's school this past weekend was the perfect opportunity for us to check this off our list, and so we did. Kind of.

The intention was there. We booked and paid early to join the hundred-odd families camping out on the school field for the night. It seemed like a great idea to do it this way where we weren't far from home and didn't have to pack much, and I was looking forward to roughing it out with unbathed, exhausted boys at the end of a really fun day.

When we arrived on Saturday afternoon, there were just tents everywhere, and already the carnival spirit was in full force with food trucks and kids entertainment a plenty. We found a spot near to the ablutions (priorities when you have small kids), and set up our tent. Man, the years (and years) of family camping holidays came back when muscle memory kicked in, and I got our tent up and inhabitable in 20 minutes - much to Andel's surprise!

After a trip to the swimming pool, Andel and the boys went to get food and drink while I set Bayley down for a nap. It was all going well. And then they returned with dinner. And promptly declared it a boys' night. Seriously. After putting up their tent for them, they sent me home with Bayley - under the premise that the cough Bayley had would be better treated at home.

So we went home. And the night was uncomfortable and tiring in sweltering heat, nuisance mosquitoes, and broken sleep - and that was Bayley and me. She was fine. Obviously. But perhaps the boys were on to something as, since we collected them from the camp out, it is they that have scratchy throats.

As is stands, this is a half accomplishment, and certainly an event that has made me look forward to doing the real thing with the gang soon.

Exploring inside the tent

Roughing it out like real Warrior Princesses

Dinner of good food, fresh air and open spaces

Boys' Night