Return to our Fair City
- Mar 27, 2015
- 7 min read
Since, Christmas, we have been on countdown mode, counting all the days till we go home. It's hard to believe the time has finally come. In twenty-two hours we will be reunited with our amazing families. And when your flying with Emirates, you don't mind so much! After a quick stop over in Dubai, we landed in our little Emerald Isle before we knew it.
The most amazing, surreal feeling was walking through the doors of the airport and seeing all our lovely families there with the thoughtful banner that Jason's family had organised up for us. Words can't describe how wonderful it was to finally see everyone again and to be home. We can travel the world, but Dublin, our little 'Fair City' will always be our home, no matter what!
I don't think myself and Jason could take it all in. You realise how long a year really is when you see how big all the kids have gotten. Before we left, little Carson was only a small baby, now he is a little boy! Emily, who was also very small has become a feisty young woman. 'The bestest girl in the world' Katie is turning into the most beautiful princess. 'Jack the man' really has become such a lovely, caring, sensitive young man. Being able to see them all again is absolutely incredible. It was so lovely being able to hug my wonderful Mother and sisters. Being home and around all our loved ones was just incredible. When your away from home for so long, everything from back home is amazing, and now we're around all those amazing things and incredible people.
After saying our goodbyes, Jason went with his family, and I went with mine. As we walked down to Susan's car, I had my big back pack, 'Kathrin' on my back, with Jack on one side and Katie on the other! The first stop was Susan's. Well actually, we did make a small detour to the chipper for a nice bag of chips with loads of salt and vinegar which I've been dreaming about. With my dinner and presents for everyone, it was over to Susan's we went. It was nice being back and being able to catch up with everybody, including Susan's husband John. After a short stay, it was in my mam's trusted car and back to my hometown of Templeogue where I grew up. As we drove home, I soon realised that over the last twelve months I might have changed a lot, but there was little change in my lovely Fair City. It was so nice to be home at my mammy's lovely house. Even our lovely dog Bowie was so excited to see me, and I was so excited to see him. It's just so nice to be home. Its simple home comforts that you really miss when you go travelling like lots of food in presses, mammy's home cooking, a private room and free unlimited WiFi! After a whole year away, I'm finally home, and it feels great.
After a few nights in my mam's, it was time to say hello to my darling Jason and his amazing family. Of course, they were all still as crazy as ever, but being back felt good. They were really interested listening to all our travel stories. I think the one about me being pushed over by the baby elephant is by far their favourite. But I think poor Jason went a bit overboard with the stories! Oh well!
One of the best things we did while we were home was visiting the third nicest gardens in the world as voted by 'The National Geographic Channel,' 'Powerscourt House and Gardens.' It was a lovely afternoon where my mam, Jason and myself enjoyed a 'Tasty tasty' lunch and a tour around Powerscourts stunning gardens. They are truly magnificent and with such nice weather, it was a perfect day out. I think my mother really enjoyed me taking hundreds of photos of her. She must have felt like a queen!
Being away from home for so long was very hard knowing how big and grown up my lovely nieces and nephew were getting was very hard, so when my lovely sister Susan asked me if I would help her out by babysitting a few days each week, I was more than happy to help. After all, if it meant spending quality time with Jack, Katie and Emily, how could I refuse? But I have to admit, collecting Jack from school while carrying Katie who is six and pushing Emily in her buggy was very tricky, to say the least. On the way back from Jack's school, Jack helped me out by keeping an eye on little Emily who had a great time picking all the daisies on the road side. While Jack was looking after Emily, I was pushing Emily's buggy with rather lazy Katie in it. At one point, Emily, the two year old, was pushing her own buggy with Katie, the six year old, in it! Definitely one for the memory bank. That's children for you, or rather, a very lazy, red headed, six year old girl! Of course, it was very funny watching Emily pushing her big sister! I think Susan was very happy with me especially how efficient I was in the kitchen and the rest of the house. What was really nice was that I got to celebrate Emily's second birthday with her and everyone else which was really nice. While I may have enjoyed spending time with the kids, I hope they enjoyed having me!
After spending a whole year with my darling Jay (Apart from when he sent me down to the farm), it was only right that I try and spend a bit of time with my family. Between spending a few days in my sisters house and a few days in my mams, I only had just the weekend to see my Jason and his family. I may have been living in three different homes, but I wouldn't have changed it for anything. A year is a long time away so being able to spend so much time with everyone is great!
Hard to believe that my crazy little nephew, Jack made his 'First Holy Communion.' And didn't he look all grown up. With his dashing good looks, I'm sure he will have all the girls chasing after him. I was very happy that I was able to be there with my handsome nephew on his big day!
Like my mother always says (And she is a very wise woman, wise beyond her years, just like her father), nothing ever happens and then suddenly you have two things the same day. Between Jack's communion and Ella's baby shower, myself and Jay were two very busy bees. Luckily, it all fell into place as we were able to go to the communion during the day and the baby shower that evening. We were both thrilled that we were able to go to both. The baby shower was good fun. Some of the games they had were a bit disgusting but we all had a great time. Sadly we won't be able to be with lovely Danielle when she has her baby!
Even though we were home for a whopping two months, the time has just flown by. It's hard to believe that we will be back on 'The Big Adventure' very soon. Both our families made sure to give us a fitting send off. Myself and Jason enjoyed a lovely three course meal (Don't worry about my lovely mammy, we went to a nice restaurant instead), unfortunately Laura wasn't able to come as she was in the middle of her finals at college. Jason's family had a party for us where himself and his up-for-a-laugh-mother did a demo to 'Barbie Girl.' I don't know what happened to Barbie, I think she might have had a sex change as there were two Ken's and no Barbie at the party! Jason and I both enjoyed our lovely two send-offs! They may have been completely different but if they were the same, they would be boring! We also made sure to catch up with a couple of the girls from work up in Dundrum. It was great seeing them. I even got to enjoy a lovely big bag of 'Leo Burdocks' famous chips which I have to say was well worth the wait. They were absolutely amazing. The best ever! Another a year without Leo's. OH NO!!!
The time has come for us 'Travel Bunnies' to get a hopping out of Ireland. After all, a whole world awaits us! While we have been home, we have enjoyed spending time with our loved ones. We have even managed to sneak off a couple of times on a few rather cheeky trips. Imagine, a holiday within a holiday! It's great being a traveller of the world. While I was home, I took full advantage of being able to take lots and lots of really nice photos. Between brotherly-sisterly love with Jack and Katie to a rather cheeky little monkey with gorgeous Carson, I was able to take a few (Ok, a lot) of really nice photos. I even had little Carson posing beside the Christmas tree (Yes, a Christmas tree in May, not sure if Jo-Jo is very early putting it up or very late taking it down). Leaving again will be hard, but it will be worth it. We will have lots of wonderful years with our amazing families. For now though, I have to keep you all entertained with all our travel stories! Lets just hope I don't get on the wrong side of any more baby elephants!
By Andrew
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