A trip to Dublin for a triplet meet-up

Today the monthly meet-up was happening in Dublin for our triplet group. I've taken the kids one other time and definitely wanted to go on this last chance. The drive out was super easy. We left around 8:45am and headed straight there. The kids watched "The Lego Movie" on the way out.



When we first get into the shopping centre, I let the kids play a bit on the coin operated toys. I normally won't put money in them, but I can't pass up a 3-seater merry-go-round.

The first hour there, the kids followed me around asking for food/treats and trying to get me to play with them. Then they'd argue amongst themselves and with me about what and how to play. I was miserable!

Finally, I sternly told the kids to just go enjoy all the toys and kids! We were in a community room packed with toys and there were 5 other sets of triplets there. The kids grumbled, but played the whole second hour.

After the community center, we went into the shopping centre so I could grab a quick lunch. The kids had eaten stuff I'd packed already.

Then we headed back to the coin-operated toy area that they'd decorated up for Christmas.

While we were there, Santa made his big appearance and went to his grotto. The boys were over the moon to see Santa and Adele was shy/scared. Gordon was upset that I wouldn't stand in the giant line so he could meet Santa. But I explained we were going to see Santa when he came to Bunratty after Daddy is back.

I needed cough syrup at the chemist and the kids saw these winter sets. They were so cheap & so cute, I couldn't resist. 

Gordon picked differently from his brother and sister because he wanted green.

The other two kids went back and forth on what they wanted, but Walt knew right away that he wanted Spiderman.

This year we've also started the Elf on a Shelf tradition. I decided to introduce it since we can't put up any holiday decorations in Ireland this year and our elf would travel with us from the Irish house to the hotel to the Arizona house. The kids decided to name him "Joyful" and had a great time finding him this morning. 

Enjoying the beautiful view

I took the kids out for a walk late this afternoon. The weather has been gorgeous, if a little chilly today, and we just needed the fresh air. We simply walked down to the street below us to see the water a little closer. Then we came back up to the street above us where they have less houses so we got a clearer shot of the water. All in all, we were only out about 40 minutes, but the kids and I had a great time.

On the street below us, looking down at the lake. The kids decided to hold hands because they thought this driveway was a street and needed to hold hands to walk on it.

I tried to get a better photo of the view behind them, but couldn't see very well. Plus, the kids kept yelling at me to get back on the sidewalk before a car came.

They were so cute walking like this!

This photo is from the street above ours. They have a much clearer view down to the water. The kids wanted to say, "Boo," instead of "Cheese." I guess that involves lots of jumping, hence the blurry photo. 

Adele and the sunset, again from the street above ours. She's looking off at her brothers.

It's the weekend, so the kids are home in the mornings. It is interesting because both days, they've been super happy just to play and we haven't turned the tv on at all until the afternoon. It's been really fun to watch them playing together. This isn't that spectacular a video, but more just a glimpse into their play.

A video update and Disney on Ice

Jeff's been gone a week. He went back to Arizona to get our house ready for our big move at the end of December. The kids and I really miss him! But we are staying very busy. They have school every weekday. And this past weekend, we drove out to Dublin for Disney on Ice.

Disney on Ice started at 2:30pm with the doors opening an hour before. It’s a one hour and 45 minute drive from our house to the hotel where the show was playing. We left at 10:45 and went up to Applegreens for lunch and to play a few minutes. The drive to Dublin was super easy. I’d put Disney Planes Rire & Rescue on my mini iPad and they watched that movie for the drive. We got to the hotel grounds and hit a wall of traffic, but luckily the Gardai and event employees were there directing us into the parking lots. We had to park all the way in the back. The kids stuck right next to me and did a great job navigating the muddy lot.

We got up to the convention center and there was a huge line, but it was moving quickly because the doors had just opened. The kids, again, did amazing and stuck right next to me. Inside we rode the escalators up to the 2nd floor, hit the bathroom, then went to our seats to drop off our coats.

Our seats

  Then we went back to the 2nd floor lobby to the concessions. We got popcorn, peanut M&Ms, and each of the kids got a Toy Story Woody cup with a slushy inside. 

Treats!

The stage

We hung out a bit in the lobby, then took our stuff back to our seats just in time for the show to start. The lights went down and the kids all scooted to the edge of their chairs. Then when lights turned on  at the stage, their eyes got so big! They were enraptured. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy skated out first, doing a little bit. Adele was smiling from ear to ear and waving like crazy. Anytime the audience clapped, Adele would clap along. She claps with her whole body and smiles like crazy.  Walt claps these tiny little claps, right in front of his face. Gordon never clapped, but he was incredibly enthralled with the show.

In the opening half, they started with a bit from Aladdin with the Genie. The kids have never seen the movie, but they were asking me all about it. Then they did a bit from Beauty & the Beast, then a princess montage, and then Toy Story. They also did a Nemo skit the kids loved and the final act was It’s a Small World where they did an electric parade of sorts. BIG hit.

The Electric Parade

At intermission, we mostly hung at our seats. Then after intermission, they did a number with Mulan. The kids have never seen that movie, but they loved EVERYTHING about this bit. Especially the giant chinese dragon at the end. But I think the biggest thing was the songs.  Pinnochio was either right before or right after intermission. Gordon says that was his favorite. I think they all loved the Blue Fairy flying down from the ceiling and the giant whale swallowing Pinnochio and Gepetto. Gordon was talking about it the whole way home. When they came out with the Incredibles, Walter went nuts. He loves that movie and couldn’t believe the superheroes were down there. Then all three loved the Lion King. They all waved and clapped and waved and clapped during the big closing number.

We hung at our seats until the theater was mostly empty. We had to walk down a few flights of stairs and back through that parking lot. Except now it was full of moving cars. And the kids, again, did simply amazing. We got to the car and we sat in there a while just listening to music while they ate peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, and the other stuff I packed. After 45 minutes , cars were moving, so I let them watch the Incredibles on the iPad mini on the way home. We also talked a ton about the show and our favorite parts. We stopped again at apple greens so that I could get some food and the kids ate a little more. They got to bed a little late for them, but it worked out great.

I admit that watching them experience this event and seeing their joy and amazement got me teary-eyed a number of time. I was pretty emotional.

I've also been capturing a few videos this week to send to Jeff and though I'd share here.

The kids busted out this impromptu Jingle Bells performance at the Subway counter in AppleGreens


 The first half of Gordon's version of The Three Little Pigs


 The end of the Three Little Pigs, audio only.



Tonight's Jam Session

Halloween and enjoying our time

Halloween has come and gone. It was a super busy and super fun time of year for us. First, the kids had a dress-up party on their last day of school before the mid-term break. Then, the week of Halloween, the kids were signed up for a Halloween camp at their school. They did a ton of different crafts and baked lots of yummy treats. Then ended the week with another big Halloween party.

That night we went out trick-or-treating. The kids had a blast! I had them shower and put pajamas on to wear under their costumes. They had so much fun seeing all the other kids out in costume, they loved going up to people's houses to knock, and they were over the moon about the candy. We came back to our street to go to two last houses. When we got close to our house, Gordon decided he was tired and said he wanted to head home. So, he did! The other two kids made sure we got candy for Gordon at the last house, though.

Here's my Halloween crew - Walter as Spiderman, Adele as Iron Man, and Gordon as Batman

We carved pumpkins. I took out most of the filling. The kids drew on the faces and I carved what they drew. Walter drew his on his own. Adele drew most of hers, but asked for help on the nose and mouth. Gordon had me hold his hand and help him draw.

Trick or treat!!

The kids started back at school this week and we've been having rainy weather. When the skies cleared today, I decided to take them to the playground. We had to bundle up against the chilly wind, but had a great time.

Gordon on the zip line

Walter was beginning to figure out how to swing on his own. You can see his proud smile.

Snack break

Adele stopping to say, "hi," on her way down the slide

Adele and Walt were playing some game they made up -- pretty much describes their day every day.

I will miss these views when we leave!