The JamRobBlog

2009 summer road trip kick-off!

2010-06-05T22:34:00.008+02:00

Check out our wheels! Luis and Saioa lent us their Kangoo for our road trip last summer. Gracias, chicos! Y gracias también al tío Gonzalo que nos vino a buscar al aeropuerto de Santander :)

First stop: Amorebieta... Lunch out with friends (Aupa Unai eta Sigor... musubat!)

Then it was time for the boys to do the essential early summer duty: HAIRCUTS!!

Cute doesn't even cover it. I know.

Then we hit the municipal pool for some splash time.

This was our third road-tripping summer. All the while we were happily aware of the comforting familiarity of it all.

:)

signs of summer ('09)

2010-04-06T13:56:00.006+02:00

So, what are the things that signal the start of summer for the Jamrobbers?

1. Vibrant colours emerging in the garden and the sunshine catching them, and lingering there.

2. The green grass of our parks dry enough to laze on. Picnics and sandals and short sleeves and frisbees.

3. The joyous freedom that the school holidays bring.

4. Meeting with friends to say our fond farewells before departing southward across the seas for a fair old stretch of weeks.

5. Luggage and early-morning airports and butterflies in tummies and 'goodbye Irish rain'.

all the world's a stage!

2010-04-01T12:58:00.012+02:00

Back in June of last year (2009!), we went to the Street Performance World Championships in Merrion Square. We had been there in 2008 too and thoroughly enjoyed it. We saw everything from clowns to contortionists, from flame and sword-eaters to escape artists, from comedians to jugglers, unicyclists and much more...

The lads had an absolute blast!

Nothing could have burst their bubble ;)

(*favourite pic of the day*)

Camera in hand, as usual, mummy Jamrobber did a little bit of people watching...

...while the people watched the performers do their thing.

Towards the end of the day we met up with Vincenza, Giovanni and Anna Livia... who were having a fun time too :)

We're already looking forward to the 2010 edition of the festival!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oh! And, speaking of performers.... check out cowboy Liam in his school play last year :)

And Lorcan performing a selection of his top ten tunes for me on my birthday!

blown away

2010-04-01T11:57:00.003+02:00

In June last year, shortly before the summer holidays, we found out that Liam and Malachy had been offered places at METNS... our new school! We had been on the waiting list there for a long time and were SO delighted to find out that we were finally in! We immediately went out to celebrate... with a family meal at Milano's in Dun Laoghaire.

These are some pics of the boys fooling around outside Milano's after dinner that day... Marilyn Monroe style ;)

:-)

Anyway, we're now at the beginning of the third term at our new school and loving it. It's much more free-spirited and basically must more "us" than our old school was, and we love that about it. The boys have made tons of new friends, been blessed with great teachers and are doing very well all round.

BUT... ahem!.... It looks like this little monster will have to work on improving his basic manners before he starts there himself in September 2010!! [I know... some day he'll kill me for ever posting this!!!]

And now... to take your mind off the nose-picking: some random pics from our back garden last June.

killiney beach and bullock harbour

2010-04-01T01:55:00.002+02:00

Killiney Beach

June '09: still too early to actually take a dip in the Irish Sea... but so what? We still love our visits to the beach. The paddling, the stone and shell collecting, the sound and smell and taste of it all...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bullock Harbour

Arriving in time to watch the fishermen unload their catch is an added bonus! Our old local fisherman friend answers all the boys' questions about the fish, the crabs, the boats and the seals... and tells us a sea shanty or two!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bonus park shots: 'Just for kicks'

The little guy... he's a powerful kicker, there's no doubt about that!

OK. Now go play!

parks and friends

2010-03-15T16:02:00.008+01:00

Some images of our favourite people... in some of our favourite places:

Malachy in the People's Park in Dun Laoghaire

Kicking off last summer with movies in the park... in the company of our new friends Jon, Janel, Lennan and Finn :)

The absolutely fabulous Niamh and Audreyyyy!... On a rare but oh-so-delightful ladies lunch date on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Followed by a visit to a fortune teller. Say no more!

It's been a while since we've posted a pic of Bob and Marley. Yes, they are STILL going strong. And, yes... their family seems to have expanded somewhat ;)

Lorcan in Blackrock park, also known to us as "frisbee park" since the day Daddy accidentally threw our rubber frisbee onto the roof of the bandstand and couldn't get it down. That was two years ago. The frisbee is still there.

Swans in Blackrock park....

.... and their fluffy babies (pics taken June 2009).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our friend Matthew in the People's Park... showing off his newly cut second tooth... which is fully grown now, just like Liam's. Big boys now!

Lorcan on the day he got into some pretty serious mud-mischief while Mummy and Daddy were chatting with Jon and Janel... ooops!

Don't trust this Angel face... Lennan was in on it too!!

portobello and friends

2010-03-15T13:00:00.006+01:00

Our sweet friends Niamh and Peter introduced us to Vincenza, Giovanni and Anna Livia at the Soul Festival last May (let's just pretend that 10 months haven't gone by since I intended to post these photos, shall we?). We all hit it off rather wonderfully and soon met up with the whole gang again for a gorgeous day in their home and neighbourhood...

These are great people!

Talk about hospitality...! Giovanni's Italian mamma made us the most delicious homemade Italian meal, which we all devoured and mouth-wateringly recall to this day...!

The kids (as always) polished off their food faster than the speed of light... so in order to allow the grown-ups some leisurely coffee and dessert time, we resorted to some on-screen Walt Disney, of course.

It was a beautiful, sunny early summer afternoon, so we all headed out to enjoy it. The guys took us up the canal to Dartmouth square, where we hung out till the sun started setting. It was a pretty heavenly day all round :)

We broke out the prosecco and Delphine came and joined us too.

Niamh bravely let Liam take some snaps with her camera...

... and they both enjoyed checking out the results :D

Oh being able to roll on dry fresh-smelling grass...!

We have to do this more often!

another year over...

2009-12-28T19:02:00.005+01:00

happy 2010, people!

from:

* * * * *

Tune in some time in January for the remaining updates from 2009...!

With love from the Jamrobbers :)

soul picnic

2009-11-22T21:53:00.009+01:00

Picnic anyone?

Back in May we had a really great day out at the Soul Picnic in Merrion Square, which is part of the Dublin City Soul Festival (next year's links are up already!).

We set up our spot before the concerts began and chilled out and had some snacks.

It was a glorious early summer's day.... and the crowds got bigger and bigger...

The great thing about these outdoor summer gigs is you can go right up front and bop with the bands by the stage, or you can just chill out on the grass with your book... and enjoy the atmosphere :)

There's plenty of space in Merrion Square, so when we weren't watching the open-air gigs, we were playing around on the grass ;)

And making friends!

Isn't it amazing how quickly kids make new friends and bond?!

A special shout out to Jon, Janel, Lennan, Finn our new and dear friends whom we met that day... and to Vincenza, Giovanni and Anna-Livia, who our yummy friend Niamh introduced us to that day too!

To the boys' sheer delight, we had a yummy ice-cream after our picnic lunch...

And then later, Granddad turned up too! Yay! Lorcan got a little carried away and climbed all over him...

But we compensated him with some wine from our "bota":

All in all, another great day.

floripondio

2009-10-22T18:52:00.006+02:00

Before we continue, we just wanted to transmit to you a little bit of precious "flower power"...

... just because.

* * * * *

Have you ever seen a tree shaped like a heart before?

Well, now you have

{and it's just around the corner from our house!}

concert-goers

2009-10-22T17:52:00.000+02:00

This year Jaime got lots of tickets for his birthday (yes, back in February!)! In addition to the plane tickets for Rome (ah, la bella Roma), he got tickets to see The Slackers and George Thorogood in Dublin in May.

The best thing about buying concert tickets for your husband is that you usually get to buy yourself one too... I mean, I couldn't let him go alone, right?!! ;)

Here's J with David Hillyard of The Slackers before their gig at the Academy, Dublin. We love this band!

Jaime with Vic, after the gig.

We watched whole gig from the front row. The best thing about this band is how much they obviously enjoy what they do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * *

We also went to see George Thorogood and the Destroyers at the Olympia in Dublin, which was a completely different experience!

Pure rock n' roll.

Thorogood may be getting old but he's still got it. He is the quintessential rocker... and he can play the guitar like nobody's business! The only thing we didn't like? The guy loves himself a little bit too much ;)

But, who cares?

Rock on.

darting back into action

2009-10-22T13:51:00.002+02:00

Well hello! I know, I know, we ended up taking a pretty long blog hiatus again! Those are never planned. It must be just something about the way life flows.

Have you missed us?

We've had a number of posts sitting in drafts for quite some time.

So, come join us while we dart back into action.

Speaking of "darts" here are some photos from a day we spent in Howth with our friends Javi, Yvonne and Isabella. The kids had fun taking the DART (local train) out there... and the grown-ups had fun eating these when we got there:

Liam was especially chuffed to be going on an outing with his buddy Isabella.

We went for a walk and saw the usual portside sights of Howth harbour.

Including the seals, of course (... I'm happier to stand back from the edge... that drop, ahem, freaks me out!!)

Everyone -young and old alike- had fun that day.

sunny park magic

2009-06-25T22:51:00.002+02:00

master bakers

2009-06-25T22:50:00.003+02:00

Home-grown rhubarb from the little vegetable patch in our back garden

This year we planted our own rhubarb. Do you want to see what we made with it?

This is Wholemeal Rhubarb Banana Walnut Bread. And here is the recipe... Jamrobber style:

Wholemeal Rhubarb Banana Walnut Bread

Ingredients:

* 2 cups wholemeal flour

* 1 cup plain flour (original recipe: 2 plain flour, 1 wholemeal)

* 1 crushed weetabix biscuit (original recipe: 1/4 cup wheat germ -i had none!)

* 2 teaspoons baking soda

* 1 teaspoon baking powder

* 2 whole eggs

* 4 mashed bananas (original recipe: 3)

* 1/4 cup milk

* 3/4 cup vegetable oil

* 1 1/4 cups brown sugar

* 1 teaspoon cinnamon (oringial recipe: 2 teaspoons)

* 1/2 teaspoon allspice

* 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

* 2 teaspoons vanilla

* 2 1/2 cups diced rhubarb

* 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Have you got your aprons on? OK, then... let's begin:

1. Preheat oven to 175ºC (350ºF). Lightly grease one 11-inch ring-shaped cake mold (or two 9-inch loaf pans).

2. Mix together the flours, crushed weetabix (or wheatgerm), baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

3. Get your mixer out and fool around with your reflections in the metal bowl for a while...

4. Get your trusty assistants to peel the bananas and mush them up.

5. Mix together the mashed banana, eggs, milk, brown sugar, oil and vanilla until fluffy.

6. Play around with your miniature assistants a little more...

7. Making time for play may (or may not) help you to keep your giddy apron-clad offspring from pushing each other around the kitchen and causing unwanted havoc. *though i obviously cannot guarantee that*

8. Add the flour mixture to wet mixture and blend well

9. Clean and dice your crunchy fresh rhubarb.

10. Stir in the diced rhubarb and walnuts.

11. Take a self portrait... just for fun.

12. Pour the mixture into your ring mold (or divide the mixture between the two loaf pans).

13. Bake at 175ºC (or 370ºF) for about 50 minutes. Cooking time may vary (and may take a little longer if baking the batter in one large tin) so check that the bread is cooked through by inserting a skewer or toothpick. If it comes out clean, it's done.

14. Allow the bread to cool in the mold for about ten minutes. Then remove carefully and allow to cool fully on a wire rack.

15. Slice and eat... Marvel at the wonderful rhubarb-banana-walnut combination and wonder why you never thought of making it before. Decide that this is your new favourite variation of banana bread.

16. Clean up the mess. Then eat some more of your tantalizing creation!

* * * * *

Bonus recipe: If you have extra rhubarb left over. Chop it up. Throw it in a pie tin. Sprinkle it with sugar. Mix some muesli (approx. 2 cups) with wholemeal flour (1/4 cup), butter (1/3 cup) and some honey, golden syrup or maple syrup. Press muesli mix on top of rhubarb and bake for approx. 30 minutes or until golden brown. Hey presto: rhubarb crumble!

Roma, città aperta...

2009-06-25T22:49:00.016+02:00

At the beginning of May, Jaime and I went to Rome for a heavenly child-free long weekend! Liam, Malachy and Lorcan got to spend the weekend with Granny and Grandad (thanks guys!) while we stayed in Prati, central Rome, with our gorgeous friends Michelle and Luca (thanks for having us!!!).

I took so many photos, there's no way I could make a selection and upload as many as I would like here... so I've decided to settle for mosaics instead... just to give you a feel of what we did.

Above are just some of the amazing sights we saw...

{Try clicking on the mosaics for a larger view. Sometimes Blogger actually let's you do that!}

Michelle and Luca! With their kids, Anna and Peter (hi guys!) at the beach with their grandparents for the weekend, it was like a mini holiday for all four of us! Thanks to them we avoided all the tourists traps, ate like royalty and got to zip around the city in true Roman style: on the back of a Vespa....!!!

I was so taken by the cute cinquecentos everywhere!

And the food! Oh my god, the food!

And the people... the quintessential Roman people.

To whom it may concern: we really should do this more often ;)

our baby's 3!

2009-06-25T19:27:00.012+02:00

On 25 April 2009 Lorcan turned three. At the risk of sounding clichéed, his Daddy and I are still asking ourselves how did that happen? We moved here to Dublin when he was three MONTHS old... and now, suddenly, he's three YEARS old! Pinch me. I must be dreaming.

He is the sweetest, happiest, most self-sufficient kid there is. He has a strong personality (yes, that includes a temper!) and the BEST sense of humour. He's healthy and strong, eats well and runs, climbs and kicks a ball like with passion and promise.

He loves to talk and loves to be listened to. He speaks English and Spanish almost equally well -English a little better. He'll be starting preschool in September and has already gone along a few times to try it out... with great success!

He loves his brothers, his Mum, his Dad and his grandparents. He has a smile for everyone -and I mean EVERYONE he walks by.

He makes us so happy. He makes us complete. We love our little Lorcan boy.

Lorcan decided he wanted a 'robot cake' for his birthday... so robot cake it was! Underneath the lollipop heart, m&m teeth, jelly eyes and blue mascarpone cheese frosting, there's actually a very healthy carrot cake! I swear!

On the day of Lorcan's birthday, our friends Javier, Ivonne and Isabella came to dinner... and afterwards Granny and Granddad came in for cake time, candle blowing and present giving!

{Click to enlarge and watch the candle blowing sequence!}

He was a very happy birthday boy!

Javier and his girls in our back garden on Lorcan's birthday.

Lorcan got all sorts of big fun pressies. But when all was said and done, once they were all unwrapped and oooh'ed and aaahh'ed over, what did he go for? This tiny little wind-up dinosaur!

Proving that small really is beautiful.

The kiddos finished off the afternoon playing Hungry Hippos and plasticine.

And now if I could just figure out a way to stop time...!

audrey & niamh!

2009-06-25T18:07:00.007+02:00

One glorious sunny (yes, sunny!) day in April (yes, April!)... we met Audrey and Sam -up all the way from Cork- and Niamh and Peter -over from Swords- at the People's Park for some fun!

It was soooo good to see the girls again. So many memories of our days in Barcelona come rushing back!

Oh, yeah... and, um, that was the day that Liam fell into the People's Park fountain. Ooops. A day to go down in history. Fortunately for him, the sun was shining and his stuff dried pretty fast.

Lorcan and Sam: the two littlest dudes!

Sam and his Mam ;)

Peter 'Pan' is a huge hit with our lads!

Thanks for coming over to our side of town, guys! It was soooo great to see you!

The park was looking especially spring-y and beautiful that day, so after the others left, we stayed around a little while longer enjoying the sunshine.

There was an open percussion workshop going on so we soon joined in! Malachy found a way to make music with his entire body!

Lorcan banged his very own drum.

And afterwards we found the longest worm I've ever seen!

And the cutest trainee guide dog puppy!

That evening Daddy took a plane to Barcelona for a few days. The rest of us? Well once Liam's shoes and socks had dried, we headed on home, content after our full and happy day.

small

2009-06-25T18:04:00.003+02:00

bunnies and eggs and balloons, oh my!

2009-06-25T17:38:00.009+02:00

On Easter weekend we went to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party at The Deer Park. We had such a laugh that day! Wanna see some pics? -Your wish is our command...

We met the Mad Hatter and went on the rides...

The did the Egg hunt and got a chocolate egg for our efforts!

We played in the Deer Park playground... one of our new favourite hangouts.

We helped make the longest string of balloons you've ever seen!!

We made Easter bonnets at the art workshop.

We met old friends, made new friends and listened to old Irish stories.

We hung out with the White Rabbit and ate (even more) chocolate.

We showed off our bonnets at the Easter Parade and danced at the kiddie disco... yeah!

tíos y primas!

2009-06-17T12:04:00.028+02:00

Look who came to visit us back in April!!! Los tíos Luis y Saioa y las primas Nora y Maia!!

They stayed for ten days this time and, although we didn't go too far afield, we enjoyed some nice family days.

So, are you ready for an epic JamRobBlog post?!

Ok, then, here goes....

* * * * *

With five kids in the house, we made sure there was plenty of entertainment...

Daddy and Tío Luis put on an improvised puppet show for the kids one afternoon!

Locan and Nora were particularly enthralled...

...and highly entertained

* * * * *

On the Saturday we decided to take the train from Dalkey to Howth for the day.

Maia waiting for the train...

For the first few days Maia made strange with us a little but I think that was the day she really came out of her shell...

Liam seemed so grown-up beside his little cousins!

I think he really liked being the eldest in the gang!

Train rides are fun!!

* * * * *

It was a chilly day in Howth... though quite normal for that time of year.

We headed straight to Wrights for some shopping,...

And then to Ivan's for some indulgence ;)

Oysters and white wine... yum!

(I just couldn't resist posting this hilarious shot of Malachy fooling around with his reflection in the bathroom hand-drier!)

* * * * *

Luis and Saoia invited us to lunch at Findlaters and, afterwards, we headed to the playground for some good old fun!

Maia loved every minute of it!

Look at those chubby cheeks!

She couldn't get enough!

Weeeee!

Malachy was delighted to have his cousins around...

...especially when they shared their yoghurt with him ;)

After Nora woke up from her nap she joined in on the fun...

Look at them go!

{click on the mosaics for a larger view}

* * * * *

After the playground, we headed over to the harbour to see the seals...

...and look at the boats.

By the time we got back to the train station we were all pretty tired. So straight off home we went.

After we got all the kiddos into bed, the grown-ups enjoyed the treats we had bought that day: jumbo prawns and white wine...

Mmmmm.

* * * * * *

On the Sunday, we went to the People's Park in Dun Laoghaire for the day...

there, we played ball,...

ate hot-dogs and other yummy snacks...

...had a look around the market,...

...and played some more!

Maia was in great form that day!

:D

* * * * * *

Later, we went for a walk on the seafront and down Dun Laoghaire pier...

Poor Nora really felt the Irish cold!

Our lads are more used to it ;)

After a while we gave up on walking in the wind... and decided to head on home...

Tío Luis entertained Liam and Nora while we waited for Daddy to come back and pick us up.

Liam laughed his head off!

And Nora thought it was hilarious too!!

* * * * *

At home, each day we played with all the boy's toys. There were almost all new to Nora and she was really taken with our Playmobil farm and Lorcan's doctor's set! So cute.

* * * * *

On their last day, Saioa (who is an art teacher by trade) guided the kids through a spontaneous art class at home. We broke out the overalls and the kids got painting...

Jaime helped Lorcan create his very own abstract painting...

And Liam decided he was going to use his big canvas to do a painting of a three-piece rock band (just like the one he says he and his brothers are going to form in a few years!!)...

He drew the outline of his characters in pencil first...

...and then the painting began,...

Nora* did a great job helping to fill in the orange foreground in Liam's painting...

*I know you're wondering what's with the bandage on Nora's head. The poor little thing slipped and fell at Sandycove that day and cut herself a pretty deep little hole just in her hairline. We tried bandaging and plastering it ourselves but it looked too deep so Jaime and Saioa took her to the hospital where they glued it together and applied some paper stitches. She was such a brave girl. We're hoping there won't be a scar... but I guess if there is, it will always be a reminder of her April '09 trip to Dublin with the lads.

...and Saioa went over the outline of each character in black marker once the paint was dry.

The finished result turned out like this :)

When Saioa asked Malachy what he wanted to paint, he decided it had to be a wild animal of some sort!...

...a cheetah, no less!

He utterly enjoyed his painting experience, just as he always does when he paints with Daddy... the kid has a great combination of meticulousness and flair!

I think the result looks very Picasso-inspired!

All three works of art we made that day now hand in our dining room and we love them!

* * * * * *

Well, guys... we'll be seeing you again in just a few weeks!

Summer's almost here.....!

shanganagh park

2009-06-15T12:28:00.023+02:00

One of the really nice things about County Dublin is its vast supply of public parks. These can be found dotted everywhere. There are still many that we haven't even visited!

Here are some photos taken on our first visit to Shanganagh park back in March...

golden sunshiney days

2009-06-06T20:24:00.022+02:00

By now, anyone who reads this blog knows that we like to go to Howth every once in a while to buy fish and seafood at Wrights, eat oysters at Ivans, have dinner at Findlaters. In fact, if you're family or friend, you've probably been there with us at some point!

So... at the risk of boring you to tears, here comes another "Howth post" on the JamRobBlog... because we just can't get enough :)

This is Anaut... our favourite French fishmonger at Wrights :)

Liam, a discerning shopper.

Malachy sneaking a rest in Lorcan's buggy.

Oysters at Ivan's... pure bliss!

The quietest moment of the meal at Findlaters: when the three of them tuck into their dessert of chocolate ice-cream and cherries.

So, once we've shopped and been fed... it's time to hit the seafront -and the playground -and the pier :)

* * * * *

As the sun began to go down on that evening back in March... the light became wonderfully golden. That kind of light makes everything look so much nicer!

reflections...

*heart-shaped moss*

can you see it?

green days!

2009-06-05T20:24:00.000+02:00

What's the most important celebration in March?...

-Paddy's Day, of course!!

This year the St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin lasted all weekend long! And with Paddy's Day on the Tuesday, the weekend was extra-long :)

On the Sunday we went into town for the St. Patrick's Festival and FunFair at Merrion Square. This is Malachy staring out the window of the train...!

Everyone was wearing something green. Even Eddie Rocket was flying the flag.

And Even our Basque-JamRob-Dad went green for the occasion :)

All around Merrion Square there were performers and music and shows and fun for the family...

This one Tyrolean comic was particularly hilarious :D

At one point Lorcan took a nap on Daddy's shoulder.

Not even the troupe of Samba drummers could wake him up!

...while energy bombs Liam and Malachy continued having non-stop fun!

* * * *

Half of Dublin was there that day, so we inevitably bumped into some friends...

Fina

Evelyn

Liam with Ciarán and Malachy with Fina

* * * * *

The Fanzini Brothers

Prison Love

The Science Fair

Desmond, the breakdancer

* * * * * *

It was a long, fun-filled day.

And... just as we were heading back to the train station...

One of the organisers came over and handed me a bunch of free tickets to the fun fair!!!

!!!!

So, to the funfair we went!!!

Squeeeeeeeee!!!

Liam and Mummy did some serious spinnning on the Waltzer!!!

Malachy on the platform, waiting for the train to come and take us home... at the end of the long Festival Day.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

But that's still not the END of our GREEN DAY pics.... oh no!

Below are the pics we took at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin.... enjoy:

Waiting for the parade....

watching the passers-by:

wishing he were taller (so he could see over the crowds and get a better view of the parade!)

Liam resourcefully asked some complete strangers if he could share a rung on their ladder... and they obliged!

town after the parade...

"Three pints, please"

...on the train home.

HAPPY PADDY'S DAY!!!

march medley

2009-06-04T23:29:00.000+02:00

Most Thursdays, while Liam is at his drama class in Dalkey and Malachy is at home with Mummy, Lorcan and Daddy go to Bullock Harbour to see the boats, the water, the fishermen and... the seals!

Their local fisherman friend gives them fishy bits to feed them!

* * * *

We love Cabinteely Park. Over the top of this hill lies... the playground :)

zoobi zoobi zoooo

2009-06-04T23:22:00.009+02:00

We hold a family season ticket to Dublin Zoo and we love going there every once in a while to see how the animals and their habitat changes through the seasons.

Here is a selection of pics from a visit to the zoo in March '09.

At Dublin zoo you can find everything from the biggest and wildest...

...to the smallest and meekest.

* * * *

Lorcan is our biggest animal-lover. And I just know he'll always be this way...

* * * * *

We thought you might like to see some of the animals in action. Check out these collages:

apes of different shapes

snow leopard

pretty as a peacock

turkey lurkey

curly cow

reptile

snouts come in different shapes and sizes too

look closely and you'll see Dublin Zoo's teeny tiniest inhabitants!

* * * * *

Oh, and there's a playground at the zoo too!

* * * * * * *

a day in Bray

2009-06-03T22:22:00.008+02:00

Have you ever been to Bray? It's the first town you hit in County Wicklow after leaving Dublin due South. It used to be a seaside holiday resort and still conserves some of those typical characteristics. We went there for the day one fine Sunday in March. Here are the pics.

On the other side of this railing is a long stony beach...

...where the boys spent ages hunting for special stones -some for throwing into the sea (some to practice skimming) and some to take home as the unique and precious treasures that they are.

Simple stone throwing sequence (click to view larger):

1) Find stone.

2) Throw it in.

3) Stop and philosophically watch the ebb and flow of the water for a brief and breathtaking moment.

In summer, sandy beaches are best. But any other time of year, a stony beach like Bray strand is definitely the way to go!

We like to make art wherever we go :)

As the day progressed, the sky started to change colour and it all began to look threateningly grey....

We decided to risk it and work our way along the strand anyway.

And up Bray Head we ventured.

We had ourselves a strawberry feast as a reward when we reached the top.

One minute the sky looked like this:

The next the storm was brewing...

We rushed down the hill to shelter but got pretty soaked on the way. Such are the adventures of the Jamrobbers in rainy green Ireland, what can I say?

Soon enough, the skies were clearing and Captain Lorcan here confirmed that there was a rainbow to be seen:

And a very pretty rainbow it was too.

the things spring brings

2009-06-03T18:22:00.006+02:00

So we already showed you the crocuses popping up all around... but, that was nothing compared to the bright yellow sunshiney look of the daffodils when they came in March!

Spring had sprung and it was time for us to dig out the bikes and scooters!!

And head for the parks, the forests and the woods...

For hours on end...

* * * *

Bonus photo: Lorcan wearing the red and blue cabled tank-top I knitted for him!

39 años, bien llevaos

2009-06-03T14:21:00.002+02:00

On 24th February 2009, Jaime (aka Daddy or Papa Jamrobber) turned 39! Kind of shocking, isn't it, when you look at that youthful face?

;)

We made Daddy his favourite cake... "un bizcocho borracho"....

... And, we went out to Howth for some good food (oysters, white wine and a fish dinner),...

....wholesome fish and seafood shopping,...

... fooling around on the seafront,...

... strolling on the pier while the tide was out,...

... and, lastly, an afternoon jazz concert for the whole family!

Happy 39, Jaime.

We love you.

boys and crocuses

2009-06-02T11:20:00.003+02:00

Very soon after the snow, the first signs of the imminent springtime began to appear... in the form of crocuses... beautiful orange, white and purpose crocuses all over our local parks...

Though we were still wrapped up warm, we could feel something different in the air...

It wasn't too cold for park picnics any more...

And we didn't seem to be in a rush to get home to the fireplace anymore...

By late February, early March we were ready for Spring!!!

I suppose you could say, we were already feeling infecting by Spring Fever!!!

finita

2009-06-02T09:20:00.002+02:00

Here are some photos we took at the park with Fina and Rosa in February...

let it snow, let it snow, let it SNOWWW!

2009-06-01T23:19:00.011+02:00

We woke up on the morning of Monday 2nd February 2009 to this!!!

By school time there was enough for some pretty decent snowballs... and by home time there was enough for... you guessed it... snowmen!!

The boys were so excited!!!

It was a very welcome change from the cold, grey, wet winter we had been having. Everything looked so pretty :)

It was Lorcan's first time seeing now... ever!

Our own little snow man!

Our street. Taken from Granitefield green.

Johnstown Grove. Look at that snow fall!

It got heavier and heavier as the day went on...

After the boys got out of school that day, we got straight to work on our snowmen!

We brought the necessary snow-person accessories ;)

... on this one we used a carrot for the nose (of course), a banana for the mouth and cherry tomatoes for the eyes!

His name was Sid.

We made a whole snow family.

We had one or two snowball fights!

And, afterwards, we headed home to our warm house and a nice big mug of hot chocolate :)

cabinteely before the snow

2009-06-01T20:19:00.008+02:00

Cabinteely Park, Sunday 1st February.

It was absolUTEly freEZING!

No matter how much we ran to keep our bodies warm...

Or played among the tree trunks...

Or stayed wrapped up in our woolies...

We froze!

The result of the plummeting temperatures became apparent the very next day... in the form of: SNOW!

Lots and lots of SNOW!

More snow than Dublin had seen for decades, in fact!!

Stay tuned for pictures of our very own winter wonderland...

:)

chinese new year

2009-05-15T20:18:00.013+02:00

26 January 2009 marked the Chinese New Year celebrations... the beginning of the Year of the Ox! I was born in the year of the Pig... how about you?

We went into the city for the Chinese New Year Festival Carnival that Sunday and met up with our friends Christine, Steve, Matthew and Isaac. An outdoor festival in Dublin in January is a risky matter... the skies started out nice and blue... but the rain inevitably came...

Still, it's so nice to walk around Dublin city on a Sunday morning. Moore Street market, empty.

The Carnival was held in Wolfe Tone Park in the city centre and there were stalls and food and workshops and performers.

Malachy celebrating the OX!

Isaac and the Ox!

Another new year's reveller :)

I wonder what his chat-up line was....?

Sloppy, yummy buffet food for all, which we managed to eat outdoors in the January chill... before the crazy rain came ;)

Even the festival Ox got wet...!

So we retired to a nearby restaurant to dry off and get some hot refreshments. Here are Liam and Matthew tucking in!

Once the rain had stopped and the coast was clear, we all ventured back out into the festival square... we didn't want to miss the lion dance.

After the rain :)

The lion dance was so impressive. The kids just stood there in awe!

Afterwards we went to one of the craft workshops and were taught how to make these fish lanterns... so cool!

Liam and Matthew showing off their handiwork.

正月

reyes, a concert and some knits

2009-05-12T20:18:00.012+02:00

This year for Reyes, we repeated our Tapas Party open house and had lots of friends over to sample Daddy's delicious savoury tapas, some of Mummy's sweet holiday goodies and basically eat, drink and be merry. Preferring to live in the moment for once, I decided not to grab my camera, so there are no pictures. Only memories. And that's just fine because they're good ones :)

The Three Kings did manage to visit our household again this year though. And, as family tradition would have it, they brought us lots of great books... to add to our already happy -sometimes chocolate-stained kids :)

Another of our outings over the Christmas season was to the Helix to see the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland play the score to the short movie Peter and the Wolf. Last year we saw the RTE Concert Orchestra play the score to The Wizard of Oz and we love the experience of watching cinema with a live orchestra playing. This time was even more special because it was the National Youth Orchestra... and the boys loved seeing how such young people can play together so wonderfully. They also played a series of other classic pieces... including the Vienna Waltz.

Something this Mummy Jamrobber associates with winter and cosy evenings at home is knitting. I took it up a couple of years ago and these are some of the things I made this year, having progressed on from the beginner's scarves and ponchos I made last year. This year I made three hats, three scarves and a pair of wrist-warmers! Also (not pictured here) I knitted a mohair cabled baby blanket, a tiny baby hat, a cabled tanktop for Lorcan and a stripey jumper for Malachy!! I wonder what I'll progress on to next year?!

* * * * *

*Bonus photo of Locan looking cute in the lobby of the cinema the day we went to see Madagascar 2.

"Let's all go to the lobby, let's all go to the lobby... "
Sorry... Private joke.

devil's glen

2009-05-11T20:18:00.010+02:00

On December 28th, we met up with Malachy (senior), Anita, Fiachra and Oscar to go walking in the woods at Devil's Glen, near Ashford in County Wicklow.

We wrapped up warm and brought some picnic snacks, which we munched on before we set out.

Apart from the two mummies, it's all all-boy thing!

Malachy, Anita, Fiachra and Oscar :)

The Devil's glen is a really beautiful place -any time of year.

There are sculptures to be found and enjoyed along the trail...

It was frosty cold... but we didn't mind.

* * *

stephen's day theatre in town

2009-05-11T20:15:00.005+02:00

After a long, playful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home, it was nice to go out into town on St. Stephen's Day (26 December) for a cold stroll, some lunch and a trip to the THEATRE!

Town looked really pretty with all the Christmas lights on!

And, as evening fell early, the ordinary street lights looked beautiful too.

We went to the National Concert Hall. It was our first time there and we loved it!

*You should check out their "Explore Music" website... it's got lots of fun musical stuff for you to play and learn.

We saw a really wonderful production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

It was pure magic!

chrimbo '08

2009-05-11T20:11:00.011+02:00

'Twas the night before Christmas... and all was quiet in the Jamrobber house...

The boys had sprinkled reindeer food (oats and sparkles) out in the back garden to make sure Rudolph would find our house and guide Santa's sleigh safely into our midst. They left out carrots and water for the reindeer and a glass of milk, the first slice of Christmas cake and some of our homemade biscotti for Santa (geezz, at that rate, it's not surprising his belly is bursting out of those red pants!)

Dressed in their new Christmas pyjamas, full of nervous excitement, they headed to bed.

[Yes, that's a miniature fake Christmas tree right there in the boys' bedroom... complete with fairy lights and a rudolph on top!]

They hung up their Christmas stockings....

And waited for the MAGIC to happen...

And happen it did!

The next morning was a flurry of excitement :)

... wild Jamrobber excitement!

And presents... lots of presents!!

These kids must have done something right because... WOW... Santa gave them the five star treatment ;)

We overlooked our "no toys on the table rule" and had breakfast whilst reading and playing with our new goodies!

Then we went back to the living room to continue unwrapping our treasures!

**That little thing that looks like a mobile phone in Daddy's hands? It's a cool new Flip video camera that Santa brought for him**

Malachy got a cool new scooter and Liam got a new bike!!

(Lorcan decided to take out his old bike too! Who says Christmas is all about new toys?!)

The entire cast of the Hundred Acre Wood made an appearance!

As well as the cast of Peter Pan (not pictured).

Liam is an avid reader now... so, needless to say, Santa knew that and brought him plenty of reading material :)

The majority of our gifts are for shaing -that's the way we like it :)

We got ourselves some new musical instruments too!

This talking Indiana Jones action doll (that somehow managed to work its way into someone's stocking) fell into Lorcan's hands and was promptly undressed...!

Granny and Granddad came to see all of our presents... and play with us for a while!

Soon it was time to get ready for our family Christmas dinner.

Everything was delicious!

And, yes, we all ate waaaay too much :)

The rest of the day was spent lounging, watching movies, playing, eating some more, unwrapping more gifts (and leaving some under the tree for the days to come)... a classic family Christmas.

* * * * * *

The Christmas spirit spilled over into the days following Christmas day... with more books, toys and presents filling the cold winter hours at home.

nativity x 2

2009-04-15T00:55:00.008+02:00

Both Liam and Malachy were cast as *angels* in their Nativity plays at school this Christmas.... Don't ask me why!! Oh but they did look cute...

* * * * *

malachy's music school

2009-04-14T22:36:00.010+02:00

So here is the first of the 2008 Christmas recital posts... in May 2009 (I know!)

We went to see Malachy's open class with his teacher Catherine (Liam's first music teacher too!) at the Dun Laoghaire Music Centre, where Jaime, Liam and Malachy all take music lessons.

These kids really get into it :)

Malachy received a Certificate of Achievement (woo hoo!) for his first completed term of the "Children's World of Music" introductory course.

Proud as punch, he was!

In the end, we all got to join in. I think Lorcan's already looking forward to starting classes!

winter outings

2009-04-14T20:05:00.009+02:00

Amidst all the Christmas preparations -baking, shopping, wrapping, gifting- we still found the time to go on some family outings in the cold, festive month of December...

(click on collage for larger view)

These were taken on a trip to the zoo in December.

Clearly the penguins, the snow leopard and the arctic owl didn't seem to mind the cold one tiny bit!

We just wrapped up warm and drank hot drinks to keep ourselves going :)

... oh and played in the playgrounds, of course. Nothing like movement to warm little bodies up!

The orang-utan sat cosily under this heater inside his house.

Lorcan was very impressed!

They had a nice little tête-à-tête!

* * * * *

And these next shots were taken in Howth in December. We went to get our last-minute Christmas seafood shopping in and the kids were delighted to find there was a little Christmas funfair (and ice rink) set up on the seafront!

* * * * *

pre-Christmas things

2009-04-14T19:40:00.015+02:00

At the Sunday Farmer's Market in Dun Laoghaire.

With Isaac in the playground.

With Jacqueline in the People's Park!

Peekaboo :)

By the fountain.

* * * * *

At Malachy and Anita's Winter Solstice Party!

Our host: Malachy (Senior!)

Oscar!

Pirate Lorcan (happy to be dressed up by the bigger kids at the party!)

* * * * *

Home-made Christmas goodies that we made as Xmas gifts -and some to keep (ahem, scoff ourselves) too!-

·amaretti

·chocolate and almond biscotti

·mazapanes

·and a cool new cookie jar to put them in!

Xmas preparations around the house!

*This year we changed up our traditional Advent calendar surprises. Instead of chocolate sweeties, we received daily messages from Father Christmas!

* * * * *

Visiting Santa and the Christmas Fair held at the kids' school!

Once again, Mummy and Daddy helped to get Santa's Grotto ready for the big event :)

*the boys brought Santa their letters and gave them to him in person!

The look kind of daunted by the whole experience, don't they?!

Lorcan woke up from his nap just in time to get a hug from Santa!

And receive his pressie!

* * * * *

We decorated our house with Christmas lights and put up our Christmas tree. That's the spirit!

back in december

2009-04-14T15:24:00.013+02:00

Then all of a sudden it was December... and out came the woolly hats, the scarves and the warm gloves :)

And everything started looking Christmassy! Although we Jamrobbers try to tone it down as much as we can here (commercialism be damned!!), there's no denying how much the kids adore the tinsel and the hype and all that goes along with it.

...not to mention the cold weather being an excellent excuse for an extra-large hot chocolate!

Games to occupy the time while Mum and Dad finish their coffee ;)

We later recyled these stir sticks at home and crafted them into hedgehogs!

* * * * *

The cold weather didn't stop us doing our usual park-play things...

* * * * *

And, surprisingly, with the weather being so changeable here, there were even some mild days in December when we got to peel off the heavy coats and bike it to the park...

...to play on the swings,

...and enjoy the green, green grass of home.

howth... in november

2009-04-14T14:26:00.012+02:00

(click on collage for a larger view)

Whenever we go to Howth, we usually spend the whole day there. First shopping for fish and seafood, then snacking on oysters (oh-la-la) and white wine (for mum&dad!), then walking the seafront, then eating out (seafood chowder and fish and chips, of course!), then playing in the playground, and then walking the pier.

Here are some random shots from a day spent in Howth last November:

We drove home as the sun set over Dublin bay, like so:

pretty, no?

remember... november

2009-04-14T12:38:00.013+02:00

As I post this, Spring is in full swing... new leaves and blossoms are blooming and -in between the rain showers- the sun is warming us. But these pictures were taken last November, when the trees in our parks looked like this:

* * * * *

Other things we did last November:

We met up with Isabella one Sunday...

...and played in the park,

....and took a stroll on the pier.

It rained that day too... but we didn't really mind.

* * * *

We went to see a really cool production of Hansel and Gretel at the Pavillion!

* * * *

We did our usual "rounds" of the local parks.

Though some days were so wintry and cold that we soon retreated home to get cosy with some hot chocolate!

* * * * *

We spotted this heron in Kilbogget Park!

* * * * *

We had Fina over for the day with her mum, Rosa.

... and put on one of our spontaneous puppet shows :)

spooky!

2009-04-13T22:42:00.016+02:00

So, yes, as usual here on the JamRobBlog, we've got our seasons out of synch. We're slowly working through the backlog, continuing to chronicle and share our events and experiences in chronological order. Our target is to be back up to date before we take off to Spain for the summer.

This, as you may have guessed, is what we did on Halloween 2008!

We carved pumpkins!

We ate and shared lots of Halloween goodies :)

We dressed up!

We tried on quite an array of different costumes :)

We looked VERY spooky!!

We went trick-or-treating in the neighbourhood!

We attended Hannah's annual Halloween Party!

We wore face paint!

We filled up our baskets with treats!

We walked the streets after dark :o

We had a visit from Isabella Mouse!

We dunked for apples!

We lit sparklers!

* * * * *

We watched Jeremy's fireworks display on the green with lots of friends and neighbours.

We scared the living daylights out of some...

And made others laugh with our clowning around :D

We had a lot of spooky, sparkly fun!

into the West

2009-04-13T13:23:00.025+02:00

Are you ready for a loooooOOng JamRobBlog post?

This one contains a selection of shots from our short trip to the West Coast of Ireland last Halloween mid-term break.

We had the best time and managed to squash loads into our short stay....

Galway town. The banks of the River Corrib.

* * *

Galway town...
* * *

Pick a castle, any castle... and we'll dream up an adventure story/fairytale to go along with it (preferably involving knights and dragons and dungeons and mysteries!).

Some sights you see as you drive along an Irish country road...

The Burren

* * * *

(Click on the collages for a larger view)

A typical crossroads!!

Decisions, decisions....!

* * * * *

We went to the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland's most famous natural wonder. And, believe me, it really took our breath away!

If you've been there and you agree that it is one of the most stunning things you have ever seen, go here and vote for the Cliffs of Moher to be named one of the new 7 Wonders of the World!

It was very windy when we arrived, so we took refuge in the Visitor's Centre till the stormy wind and rain calmed down and then we took a look at the breathtaking cliffs.

The countryside around the cliffs is so rugged and beautiful.

...now that's a cloud!

* * * * *

We stayed outside Galway city in the town of Oranmore.

Back at our hotel, we just sat back and relaxed ;)

And swam and played at the indoor pool and jacuzzi :)

* * * * *

The following day we headed to Connemara.

First stop: Clifden

* * * * *

Then we headed along the Connemara coast...

To Kylemore Abbey...

It's like something from a fairytale!

The boys, however, decided it had to be the place where Harry Potter went to school.

We visited the inside of the Abbey and the lovely woods and gardens around it...

* * * * *

We only wish our mini-holiday could have been longer!

the ex-Reinisch gang come to town!

2009-04-12T22:59:00.008+02:00

Our Italian friend Isabella was over in Dublin for a few months last year brushing up her English at a language course in U.C.D. While she was here, the ex-Reinisch gang got together and came over to visit for a weekend!

After getting sort of lost on the bus here from town, they made it to our house for a Friday-night supper!

* * * * *

The kids didn't want to miss seeing Marije... and she didn't want to miss seeing them... so we all decided to meet up in town the following day!

Within seconds they were attently listening to one of Marije's ingenious stories and loving every minute of her company :)

We had lunch at Eddie Rocket's.... and the Reinisch gang opted for a perfect holiday lunch: "the all-day breakfast"!

Then we headed up Grafton Street...

....

...to St. Stephen's Green...

...the Autumn colours are beautiful that time of year.

*We loved seeing you guys... come back soon!*

random autumn collages

2009-04-12T22:30:00.009+02:00

Arty afternoon at home with Isabella

Hot dogs (even) on a rainy day in the People's park

*CLICK COLLAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW*

international foodfest!

2009-04-12T21:27:00.005+02:00

Last October we went to the Festival of World Food in Marlay Park. What a great day. There was lots of different world foods to try out, lots of people, a craft fair and lots of games and live music. We met up with friends and spent the whole day there!

*unfortunately we also got a parking ticket in the post a week later :(

The boys and Isabella spent ages just fooling around in the hay!

A bluegrass band called Prison Love played live. We really liked their stuff so we bought their CD. The kids ask us to play it all the time, they call it the "cowboy music"!

seagulls and sea scenes

2009-04-12T20:17:00.006+02:00

Let's be realistic here. Not every day at Seapoint, Dublin looks like this.

Some days look more like this:

But does that stop us from going out?

Nope!

We get our raincoats on... and we brave the elements. And there's always a sunny spell or two between the Autumn and Winter clouds.

* * * * *

And did you know that the seagulls often warn us when the rain is imminent?

When they fly as far inland as our neighbourhood and we hear their characteristic calls, we know that it's just a matter of time before the rain arrives.

* * * * *

And what way to shelter from the rain at Monkstown/Seapoint than to go to a puppet show at Lambert's! There's Mr. Lambert himself with his trusty friend Judge.

Seapoint

2009-04-11T23:25:00.009+02:00

Would you like to come take a paddle with Lorcan and Malachy on Seapoint strand at low tide? These photos were taken on a beautiful warm sunny day last Autumn.

In the background, the Martello Tower, around which bathers now gather by the score on summer days.

Dublin in the distance...

Howth peninsula across the water...

Seaweed to keep the toes warm...!

Can you see three little people over there by the shore?

Seaweed, crabs, tiny little fishies... the beach is a world of adventures when the tide is out!

Seaweed & mussels, alive, alive-oh!

* * * * * * * *

And where was Liam that day, you ask? Well, he was at his friend Louise's birthday party at the Lambert Puppet theatre:

sweet Louise

* * * * *

introducing... Sandy

2009-04-11T21:54:00.009+02:00

Meet Sandy, Granddad's new dog! She's a white German shephard and she's been part of the family since the end of last summer. Isn't she lovely?

She's still just a puppy and so she's very frisky and restless... but she loves going for walks around Kilbogget with Shay...

* * * * *

Some extra shots from that same day... Malachy getting a little carried away on the swingset!

... and pretending to be a statue in the park ;)

And fighting with Lorcan over who gets to hold the grapes :)

* * * * *

And a couple of colourful flowers from our garden, for good measure :)

sunday stuff

2009-04-03T13:22:00.013+02:00

A typical Sunday for us -at any time of year- usually involves a trip to Dun Laoghaire, a hot-dog at the farmers' market in the People's Park, a play in the park playground... and a walk along the seafront to Sandycove and back.

The weather hasn't quite warmed up yet this year, but these photos were taken one late summer Sunday last year, when it was still mild enough to mess about in the water in our togs!

Splash time!

We ran into Hannah and her family that day too!

Castles in the sand...

Malachy (& Dun Laoghaire in the background)

* * * *

Later on, changing faces at the park:

* * * *

Treat time!

* * * * *

last beach days of '08

2009-03-24T18:45:00.015+01:00

For those of you who have seen our JamRobber 2009 Calendar, a lot of these photos will look familiar...

For those of you who haven't... here are some of the pics we took on our last beach day of the year in 2008... in Brittas Bay back in September...

music and play

2009-03-24T12:40:00.007+01:00

The JamRobbers... jamming away

;)

* * * * *

And playing doctor!

*D'ya think I might have got this the wrong way around?*

Self-medicating already? Have you been watching House?

festival of world cultures

2009-03-24T11:00:00.010+01:00

While Mummy and Granny were away in London last September, Daddy, Granddad and the boys enjoyed the Festival of World Cultures weekend in Dun Laoghaire...

The park and seafront in Dun Laoghaire were packed full of people and stalls and entertainment...

The guys bumped into some friends too. Hi, Anna!

The made their own kites at a craft workshop.

And got tattoos...

... as part of this workshop.

Lorcan met up with his *girl*friend Ellen-Grace...

...and they watched a puppet show together.

... stealing a sneaky kiss!

There were percussion workshops...

Dancing and music and puppets and shows!

A really great event.

schoolboys

2009-03-09T20:12:00.009+01:00

Fist day back at school back in September! Liam in his big boy uniform, thrilled to be getting back to school and all his mates.

And it was Malachy's first day of "big school": Junior Infants!

Honestly, he was waaaAAY more excited than he looks in this photo!

The familiar stroll to school... now a veritably beaten path!

And this is Maria, our friendly, smiley "lollipop lady"! She knows the name of every single child... and parent!

bits of everything

2009-03-09T12:20:00.011+01:00

Fun moments captured back in September '08

Hanging out at the playground...

And taking bike rides in the park...

* * * * *

Nectarine, anyone?

big boy birthday {belated}

2009-02-25T12:08:00.031+01:00

How much fun is it humanly possible to pack into one birthday? Scroll on down and see! This is what we did to celebrate Liam's 6th Birthday back in August....

First we headed into town on a mission...

We were headed for one shop in particular....

The music shop! We headed straight to the percussion section, not quite sure what instrument we were looking for. Something loud, though, for sure. Being that it was his birthday, Liam was in luck... the kid's size drum kits were on special offer... so... Liam got a set of drums for his birthday! (not the congas in the picture above... a real 'rock star' drum kit!!)

All that noisy percussion music woke Lorcan up from his siesta... hello, sleepy head (dirty face!)

The mention of food, as always, turned Lorcan's serious face to one like this!

Liam chose Eddie Rocket's so we headed to South Anne Street for lunch on the terrace ;)

Mmmmm

With our mission in the city accomplished and the drum kit in its box in the boot of the car, we headed back to Dun Laoghaire to catch a movie: Wall-e. It was a little above the little brothers' heads but the birthday boy really 'got' it and loved it!

You'd think that would be enough for one day... but NO! Not for our handsome birthday boy. When we emerged from the cinema, the previously grey skies had turned to blue... so we legged it to our favourite local beach spot, Sandycove, for some outdoor birthday fun to end the day....

Doesn't he make a beautiful birthday boy!

He certainly makes us smile!

And, of course, his partners in crime, the other 'brothers Jambrina', do too!

We played "Un, dos, tres, carabababá" till we could take it no more...

And just then the ice-cream van appeared

With the "real" birthday party planned for the following week (with all of Liam's school buddies), we still couldn't let the day go by without some bona fide candle-blowing! So, chocolate-and-smartie-covered banana bread did the trick on the day. And a very lovely day it was too.

* * * * * *

Daddy set up the drum kit the following day (first thing... which you can tell from the pyjamas and bed-heads!). Don't you love the look of complicity on Lorcan's face as he stands there happily banging his own drum?!

* * * * * *

And now for the PARTY!!!!

What a party! Yep, we had the works... friends, family, balloons, cake, goodies, games, music, face-painting, laughter... oh, and a piñata!...

And, best of all, we had "Anna Banana"!!!

She painted our faces, told us stories, made us laugh, showed us some cool games, played us music... she was the bees knees.

All the kids were giddy with laughter and excitement!

And enthralled by Anna Banana's tricks and her show...

... even our littlest party guest!

Then it was cake time!

A Homemade Red Velvet Spiderman Cake, no less!

We do so love a good party!