Money for Molly

Today, all of our visitors were gone.  The kids were bored and looking for something to do. I was at my office working, and kept getting phone calls from Weston, asking if he could come down and play his recorder on the street and ask for money? I was not sure what to say? So I said no.

 After the 6th call, I caved in and invited them to walk to my office (as I was preparing to leave).  When they arrived, I sent them to a busy corner by an ATM machine, and then went to the store for some last minute shopping.  I was glad to have a reason to leave.  I was still unsure if I should be proud or embarrassed. What kind of parent am I?  When I came back 5 minutes later I found them playing 'Molly Malone'  with Shayne holding the music and saying "thank you" to people who stopped by.  That is one brave boy (let's just say he is not a professional recorder player).

I suggested they change locations to the harbor (as it was closer to home) and there were large groups of people there. I left them there and went home, mulling over the question - "who lets their kids beg?"  Within 20 minutes the kids came running in the door.  They had earned 7 Euro's (which is just over $9 US dollars) in less then 35 minutes. They could barely wait to go spend it.  I could barely contain my pride. Nothing wrong with a gypsy family. 

Busy Days in Dalkey

I arrived home from Turkey to find our little village of Dalkey abuzz! American flags were hung from every pub and lamp post.  

Everyone seemed to know that Michelle Obama and her daughters were coming to have lunch with Bono, and his family, at his favorite pub in Dalkey (Finnegan's) I hope it was not suppose to be a state secret?

The streets were lined with police and security.  Here is a picture of Bono, his wife Ali and their two boys outside the pub. This was taken by a friend. Rebekah was invited to go along but decided to enjoy the lovely weather in Wicklow county instead of in the crowds downtown. 

The next day was 'Fairy Tale' dress up day at school.  As usual, we heard about it that morning while getting dressed. After a mad rush around the house, we came up with little red riding hood and Paul Bunyan (only one American boy knew of Paul at school.  I guess he is not very popular in Europe?).  Next year we will be prepared!  

On Saturday, we enjoyed Castle Park's Sports Day.  We were luck to have my Nephew Matt Jackson staying with us. He was a good sport and came along (not that he had much choice).

Like any good track and field meet, most of the day was spent sitting around talking with friends. Luckily it was a nice day. Here are the kids with other members of "Toone house."

Then for a few brief mad seconds, The race was on.  Shayne won her heat.  She was bit surprised to finish the race with no one in sight... but decided to lean in to the tape for good measure. 

 

Weston participated in a few events. As luck would have it, they all seemed to take place in the last 5 minutes of the day.  He was running from event to event.  Here he is throwing the discus.

Then it was off to the Long Jump, where he broke the 3rd grade record! Nice work!

And then on to the big final event...  the Boys 4X100 relay.  He was asked to run the anchor leg for the Toone House team.

He was up against his good friend Sebastian (the fastest kid in 3rd grade). Wes had a slight lead after the handoff...

And managed to hold of Sebastian and win the race for Toone House. He was ecstatic (and so was his Mom)!

After all the events, came the fund raising. Weston, Shayne and a couple of friends had entered an idea for a carnival game.  Their idea was one of the games chosen.  For 10 cents, you were given one ball.  With that ball you tried to "Hit the Wolf."  If you hit the wolf, you won a prize.  Here is Weston drieesed like a wolf, while some kid is trying to pelt him?  Not sure which of them came up with that idea? But they were able to raise some money for their school playground.  We all went home exhausted.  It has been a busy few days in Dalkey. 

Ani O'Flynn

After many years of begging (by Rebekah and the kids), I could procrastinate no longer. No one would have my excuses. So...we introduced a puppy to our family.

After much discussion (and months of research), we selected a Tibetan Terrier.  We named her Ani (Tibetan for Nun or Sister) O'Flynn (after Rebekah's Irish roots).   The kids have loved every minute so far. 

They have even been pretty good about helping out by taking her for walks, feeding her, and playing with her.  They are even obeying Rebekah's guidelines and rules for trying to train her.  We are still working on the potty training. 

Rebekah has also been pleased.  She even took the puppy with her (illegally stowed in a backpack) to apply for a drivers license.

So far she has been really good.  She does not shed, is very mellow, and rarely makes a sound (but that may come later).

 She just wants to be with one of us all the time. While that has made crate training a bit tough, she is getting better. It helps that she is cute.

Although not so much when she is wet.

 Shayne quickly introduced her to our lovely weather here in Ireland.  With a Himalayan heritage, we hope she can cope with the bone chilling winds.

 On calmer days, the kids love to go to the park in front of out house. Weston made a toy utilizing a stick, some string and a plush airplane.  It has provided hours of enjoyment.

Shayne took her down to the ocean, where they played in the seaweed and tide pools.  They both came back smelling of the ocean (which is not as romantic as it sounds)

Ani even  met our resident 'wandering cat' named Moonlight. The meeting did not go well.  Ani received a welcome swipe from Moonlight, and then ran away.

We all look forward to helping her adjust and learn.  

Swimming in the Irish Sea

When Bret and I came to Dublin for the first time and checked out schools, we met a woman who talked about her love for swimming in the Irish Sea. I thought she must be crazy. When I arrived with the kids for the first week, this same woman invited me down to the water to see the community of swimmers. I agreed to join her, but insisted I couldn’t swim. I didn’t have a suit, and wasn’t prepared. No problem she said. She had a swimsuit, towel and would show me the ropes. She is a fun little Irish lady with the real gift of gab and before I knew it I was in her suit (she’s much shorter than I am) and I’m shivering and sure I’m insane as we walked the block to the swimming spot.

Joyce noticed I was cold and suggested we take another quick walk around the block to be good and warm before the plunge into the icy water. Apparently there are swimming groups who swim daily year round. It used to be something only men would do, and they did it in the nude. For the last 20-30 years women have been frequenting the bathing areas and the men wear swimming trunks. Well, most of them do.

I got in the water and Joyce kept calling to me, “continue to breathe, remember to breathe. How are ya doing Rebekah?” We only stayed in the water for about 5 minutes, and but it wasn’t unpleasant. After we got out, I did feel a rush of energy and felt great the rest of the day.

My favorite part of it was meeting the fun loving 10 am Group of swimmers; men in the later part of their lives all discussing the day and drinking tea with their buddies and their wives after a swim. They were so much fun to visit with and it was a memorable morning. I told myself that I’d definitely do this again, but maybe with my own swimsuit.

Several weeks later, when Bret came for the first time, we arranged to go out paddleboarding with a surfer, Id been introduced to when I’d taken Weston into the village for an ice cream. Tim, used to run Paddleboarding classes, but now only takes out small groups. He called us when the time, sun and tides were right and we met him down on Sandycove beach. He gave us a bit of instruction and then led us out onto the sea for a few hours. It was a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon and we really enjoyed it. I convinced Bret to get into the water after we finished and he stayed long enough to snap a photo, but was anxious to get out.

So naturally, when I have my little brother in town I asked them if they wanted to take a swim! Without batting an eye, both Flynn and Krista said they’d love to! It was a sunny morning and so we all got dressed (and I packed the kids’ suits for good measure).



It was a perfect day for a swim. I thought we might get Shaynie and Weston to come in as well. They put their suits on, ran to meet me on the steps leading to the sea, but when Shaynie’s feet hit the cold water—they both turned on their heels and ran back!



Mom insisted that someone had to stay and record the event for posterity, so she graciously took the photos.