Week Before Christmas and THE Bike

(yes, its twinkling)

Norah made this at school! (they cut and dried oranges)

And this, an Irish 'Christmas Cracker' ornament (thankfully, it doesn't have the small amount of gun powder in it, like the real ones) They're pretty fun though, I have to admit. You pull each end, it pops and there are little toys inside. (reminiscent of those terror devices/dough tubes made by Pillsbury that would "pop" as you twisted the container. Oh, I hated those things) Anyway, the Christmas Cracker is sort of a staple at Christmas here.

And some mice carrying a Christmas tree on a skateboard, glued to a "takeaway" container lid, with glitter. What ELSE would it be?

Painting day, over break.

This artist doesn't just throw paint on there, willy-nilly. She is thoughtful....calculated.

Final product. We helped her fill in the white spaces but this is all Norah.

Headin' out for groceries with our stylin' wheeled cart. That's right.

Me and baby Rowan!

Mulled wine and mince pies at Kirsten & Goran's over break - including their real peat fire.

Group run on Christmas Eve morning - frrrrigid cold.

Also on December 21st/Winter Solstice (a few days before this), I did my first night mountain run with the Irish Mountain Running Assocation (IMRA) and I can say, unequivocally, I don't recommend it. It was up Djouce Mountain (one I had not been up before) and heard it is a tough trail in the Spring/Summer, in full daylight. It was snowing/sideways hailing, and full-white out by the time we reached the summit. And don't worry, I had full safety gear- first aid kit, emergency blanket, and whistle and the organizers were mountain rescuers themselves so I was in good company. Anyway, we wore headlamps and the night-running piece was actually great. I loved that - visibility was never a problem. It was just the sideways wind, snow and hail that was not so fun. Great experience and I'm glad I attempted/survived it but I don't need to do it again. No photos because well (1) it was so cold my phone battery was instantly zapped so no camera, and (2) by the time we reached the top our only thought was to get the hell off the mountain.   

Grafton Street on Christmas Eve - we went in to see the annual busking concert with some big stars. Its very informal and not advertised but we saw Glen Hansard, Bono and Damien Rice. It was great to see them but frigid cold and raining so we didn't stay all that long.

Not sure what's going on with this photo but it appears, google added sparkly lights?

Bono arrives and the camera's shoot up!

Back in our cozy warm home, opening our one present on Christmas Eve (was my family's tradition that we've decided to continue) and then off to bed with this munchkin.

Such a fun parenting moment - putting together our little girl's first bicycle!

Starting with opening, then a clip of her riding in the living room, and then later Christmas Day, riding in the courtyard outside. It's not easy being away from family on Christmas Day but the one upside is that we had the entire afternoon open, to play. I made a very small Christmas dinner as it was just the three of us but it was good and just what we needed.