Three playgrounds we visited in West Cork, all overlooking water.
Our Voyage on the Oscar Wilde
We took the overnight ferry from Rosslare, Ireland to Roscoff, France. Theo was talking about the boat trip for a couple of months before we left, but once we actually boarded the Oscar Wilde, it took about half the trip for him to be convinced that we were actually on a boat.
(In the photo above, Brian is trying to convince Theo that we are on a boat as we depart. Theo is not buying it.)
Waterside Playground in Roscoff, France
Rethinking Our Luggage
The weight and size of our luggage seemed much more reasonable in the US than it does in Europe. Maybe it’s the conversion to the metric system. Or maybe it’s all of the cobblestone streets and narrow stairways. Regardless, we’re contemplating ditching the suitcase (and a considerable amount of our stuff) and obtaining a second backpack instead. We’ll see.
Helping in the Kitchen: Shelling Beans
Theo was very interested in shelling the cranberry beans today, so much so that dinner was delayed because he wanted to finish by himself.
Trying to “Do French,” Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Before we left Ireland, we tried to teach our todller Theo a few important French phrases:
- Bonjour!
- Au revoir!
- Merci!
- Un pain au chocolat s’il vous plait!
“Not yet,” he’d very consistently reply with a shake of his head.
Continue reading “Trying to “Do French,” Even When It’s Uncomfortable”
Toys While Traveling
Theo has never had very many toys. We follow a somewhat Montessori-ish parenting philosophy, and his room back in California had a low shelf that held about six fairly simple activities at a time. We’d rotate these with a closet-stock about twice that size, and give away toys soon after he outgrew them.
Our Home Is Where Our Food Is
I’m frequently asked where “home” is. We left the US from our previous residence in Oakland, California, but we don’t have a set place to return to when we eventually finish traveling. We left a few possessions with family in Ohio and New York, but most of what we own is traveling with us. So, in many ways, home is pretty much wherever we are, even if it’s for just a short period of time.
Fun with a Salad Spinner
La Bonne Paye
The other evening, Brian and I attempted to play a French board game, La Bonne Payee.
The directions were missing, so we had to make up some of the rules. Since we have Internet free times on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as all day Saturday, so here Brian is looking up French words from the cards and board the old fashioned way, using a massive English-French dictionary.