Shaz by the Sea

Nothing like an ear infection, croup, and conjunctivitis to kick off St. Patrick's Day weekend, right?? Caden had been complaining about his eyes hurting for about a week or so (bad mom just let it go). I didn't notice anything physically wrong with his eyes, but he would continually say "eye hurt". It broke my heart because as we all know, they don't say all that much (even though that is changing FAST! I will write more about their speech progress because I failed to mention how well they are talking in full sentences). Anyway, Caden was complaining about not feeling great - plus he was awake a little bit at night, not eating that much, and low grade fever for a few days. Since he didn't have any crazy physical ailments, I brought him to school on Friday. A little before noon, school called and said that his eyes were real bad. They were really gunky and oozy, and he needed to be picked up. I of course would never be able to pick up just one of them, so...

Lá fhéile Pádraig Shona Dhaoibh!!! (Happy St . Patrick 's Day!!) I was fortunate enough to fly back to Boston to spend the weekend of St Patrick's Day with my sister who now lives in South Boston.  It was awesome to be able to walk out of my sister's apartment to see the famous Southie parade!!  My friend Katie P came with me to Boston and we all had such a blast. We were walking around the city and the weather was just perfect for spring.  It's a little cooler than being in Marina del Rey, but we planned for it and wore our Irish sweaters!  We just visited Ireland in July 2012 for our second anniversary. My mom, dad, sister, Lindsey, Jimmy and I all went on a home exchange trip there.  What an experience to live like a local.  A young Irish couple, Helen and Ray, stayed in our house in the Cape and we stayed in their four-bedroom place in Co. Limerick. We were able to visit the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin and some other local sites in t...

Our first home exchange was a SUCCESS! After purchasing our Cape Cod cottage in June 2011, I decided to make a listing on the home exchange site just like the movie, "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. We exchanged with a lovely couple from Ireland, Helen and Ray.  We did a simultaneous exchange, but were fortunate to meet them over in Ireland when we visited.  Here we are at Uncle Tom's Pub near their house.   We visited the Cliffs of Moher and boy was it windy and chilly.  The views were absolutely spectacular. Here is Jim and I at the cliffs.   We spent a few days in Dublin and toured around in a double-decker tour bus.  Dublin reminded me so much of Boston! We spent a day at the Bunratty Castle, here I am with Mom and Dad: European phone booth smooch!  And my Dad apparently flipping everybody off.....   Temple Bar -- my favorite night out while we were in Irelan...