Weekend Update

Another great weekend in Ireland. Friday afternoon was a bit chaotic at the house, but fun. The girls had friends over for a play-date, Catherine and Paul's friend called over around 5:30, and Catherine's mom came down from Cork City to spend the night. Needless to say there were a lot of people in the house. The girls had fun with their friends, and I know they were happy to spend the afternoon playing. Taylor came over about 6:30, and we headed into Cork City. We met the other American Au Pair that is in the area for dinner. After spending some time finding a parking spot we finally made it to the restaurant. Bridget (the other Au Pair) was really nice, but VERY talkative. She is from Boston, and also just finished school. She seems like she will be a good person to meet up and go out with.

After dinner we headed to our hostel to get ready to go out. We were in a 6 bed room, and I am not sure the other 3 girls were happy to have 3 loud girls in there with them. Lucky for them we really weren't there for long. We had a great time out in the city, we went out to two different pubs and ended up running into some people that Taylor knows from her village.

Saturday morning our new friend Bridget took the bus back to her host families house, and Taylor and I stayed in the city to eat lunch then headed back to her house. We hung around for most of the day then Taylor had the kids from 4 till the next day since Gill and Kieran were at a wedding. I was minding the girls Saturday night, so I headed back to my house around 7. It was nice to stay in since I was so tired from the night before.

Sunday was pretty relaxing. I had to go to the police station to start the paperwork to get my passport stamped for the rest of my time here. Then we had Sunday dinner like always, and watching Beetlejuice with the girls. Apparently it is one of Paul's favorite movies, although it wouldn't be my first choice.

Today was my first day volunteering in the schools. It was a bit of a hectic morning getting the girls ready since I also had to pack my own lunch and eat breakfast (I usually do all that after I take them to school), but we made it! I helped out in a Junior Infants class today, which is pretty much like our Pre-K. The grades or classes as they call them are a bit different here, basically they split our Kindergarten into two different classes (Junior Infants and Senior Infants). It is definitely interesting to see the difference between the schools, and the heavy influence Catholicism has on their curriculum. I still felt a little funny when they said their prayers in the morning. Although I do love how cute they all look in their uniforms with ties and all.

I am pretty tired today after all that, luckily I will be volunteering on Mondays and Fridays when Paul is home. I have a nice break in the afternoon, and only have to mind the girls for about an hour.

I am pretty happy tomorrow will be a relaxing day!