Ireland, Day 5

Postscript to Day 4 - You know how sometimes you forget things because while they're happening you stay away from them because they're so perfect you don't want to ruin them? That's kind of what it was like the other evening when Jack and Kate were both fully entertained and happy for about half an hour or more by Laura, down on the floor with them playing with the oven, the sink, and everything else associated with the little kitchen. I think Jack likes the sound the oven makes and Kate likes the sink, and together the three of them made little meals for each other. Jack and Kate playing happily, and I am in no way involved in the proceedings: perfect evening for me.

Day 5: It rained. A lot. And we were all tired, at least all of us but Jack, who slept great. So we hung out around the house. There were board games involved -- Mousetrap, Balloon Lagoon -- and an Incredibles puzzle. Jack every once in a while lamented his cousins (who spent the afternoon at their father's) not being there. Which reminds me of the previous night, when they also weren't around for a short while, with Jack being rather sad while going to bed because Mikey wasn't there. He was very relieved when Mikey got back before Jack had gone to sleep.

So we didn't go outside, but the playing inside was OK. Kate had about a 3-hour nap. I think the best part was that when Jack and Mikey were playing, they seemed to have their own secret language, making each other laugh and coming up with little jokes for each other. Jack cracking up over simply the way Mikey said something. Funny.

In the evening, the kids had macaroni and cheese and hotdogs while we prepared to go out for dinner. Robin was going to put the kids to bed while we had a nice seafood meal at Linanne's, this nice seafood place which for me is distinguished by the hilarious picture of a lobster holding a pint of Guinness in one giant claw. Emily is rolling her eyes. I thought it was funny. We put the kids in their pajamas and zipped off to the restaurant, then Robin dropped us off and brought the kids home while we ate dinner.

Robin told us about putting Kate and Jack to bed. Niamh read Kate stories. Robin held Kate and walked around the room singing songs: "Hush Little Baby." Kate's head resting on her chest, thumb in mouth. Went into Jack's room, sat on floor building K'nex monsters. They had giant green feet and big purple wings. Then read the Koala book, then superhero book. Then Jack said, "Mommy lies down with me and sings this song" (Swing on a Star, which is actually the one I sing to him, but whatever). When the song was over, Jack, with evident relief, said "Now Mommy sleeps for a little while." His eyes got heavy, and Robin started walking away. Jack stirred, Robin said good night, and tired Jack held up his little stuffed tiger, and waved good night -- too tired to do more than that.

Back at the restaurant, Robin had mentioned there was a big American guy named Kevin who lived nearby and might be there, and we saw a guy who we were debating approaching to ask when he came up to us: "Are you Robin's brother?" So of course he bought us a pint, and when Robin picked us up she stayed for an extra beer.

Slept great last night; Kate didn't stir until 7:30 a.m. Or else we didn't hear her until then, one of the two.