belgianwaffle

Princess

Stormy


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Middle Child, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Twins, Youngest Child

It was wet and windy today. I had a half day. Michael was home sick. Mr. Waffle minded him in the morning and I had him in the afternoon. I abandoned him to drive into school and pick up Daniel (bike in the boot) and then when I had dropped Daniel, I went in search of herself (communication continues to be challenging – the phone Santa got her for Christmas is unsatisfactory). I found her almost home, her little helmet bobbing along as she walked by the nearby shops. She had been blown off her bike. She had a bloody knee but no serious injury was sustained except to her dignity.

Mr. Waffle arrived in at 6, also windswept and disappointed that his soccer was called off. There’s enthusiasm.

45,000 homes are without electricity though thankfully not ours (although we did lose the internet there for about an hour, so, you know, we could empathise). I lit the fire and made biscuits. Now we are about to eat them.

It’s a day for staying in.

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That Girl has Leadership Potential


Posted in: Princess

Me: Where is the e-reader?
Herself: I have it.
Me: I was reading something on it, can I have it back?
Herself: I’m reading something.
Me: What?
Her: I’m re-reading “Lean In“

Godwin’s Law IRL


Posted in: Princess

Picture the scene, we are all in the car driving to Cork.  We pass Kildare Village off the motorway, lit up for Christmas.

Herself: What’s that?

Me: It’s one of those outlet shopping places where they sell off things cheaply.

Her: Like a shopping centre?

Me: They can be but this one is like a little town with streets and fingerposts.  Except it’s got nothing that a real town has except shops.  It’s a bizarre, sterile environment; a monument to the triumph of capitalism.  I really disapprove of it in principle although, I have to say that, in practice, your aunt took me here once and it was quite pleasing.  I got those navy cords.

Her: How do you mean sterile?

Me: Well, nobody lives there, every shop is a chain, there are no museums or pubs or monuments, it has no history and no identity beyond commerce; it’s soulless. It’s in the middle of nowhere, so people have to drive there in their cars.  There are no beggars, no buskers, no…

Her: They round up the beggars and take them away?

Me: Well, no, I assume not, it’s just not very handy to get to if you haven’t got a car.

Her:  Hmm.  They’re like Nazis then aren’t they?  Rounding up the beggars, that’s how they started.

Me: That may be a little harsh.

Dispatches from the Classroom


Posted in: Mr. Waffle, Princess

As part of the new dispensation at secondary school, herself has got an iPad (I know). This has brought unexpected benefits. Before the iPad came into our lives, I used to send emails to my children and they went into the void. Now at least my emails to her are answered and she sends me some of her own.

I got this from her today.

To: Me
From: Herself
Subject: Rosa ist nicht eine Mädchenfarbe

Rosa ist eine Mädchenfarbe

It’s from her German textbook. I was pleased that my consciousness raising work has not been wasted. I showed it to her father this evening and he said, “In this context it would be Rosa ist keine Mädchenfarbe“. Arguably, he is missing the broader point. I must, however, concede that here in the house of pedantry we regularly interrupt compelling arguments to point out grammatical errors which often goes over poorly with those making the compelling arguments.

In other news from herself, she has a new gym teacher (part of the general rotation of teachers and subjects, apparently). They did yoga today. She tells me that it is “extremely physically taxing”.

 

#Gaeilge24


Posted in: Ireland, Middle Child, Princess, Twins, Youngest Child

Tá an Banphrionsa ag labhairt Gaeilge ar feadh 24 uaire. Chuala mé í ag caint ag ceathrú tar éis a 7 ar maidin agus tá sí ag caint trí Ghaeilge fós.

Níl fhios agam cén fáth go bhfuil na dathanna don t-léine cosúil le Ryanair. Ní cheapaim go bhfuil seirbhís trí Ghaeilge le fáil ar Ryanair.

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Bhí sé deachair go leor dúinn.  Níl fhios agam conas a d’eirigh le na 500 duine sa Mheiricá a rinne an rud ceana (sin a deirtear, ar aon nós).

Níl sé easca scríobh as Gaeilge agus tá Daniel ag seinm an feadóg stáin ag an am cheanna agus cúpla noiméad ó shin dúirt Michael dom go bhfuil foiche suas staighre agus tá orm rud éigean a dhéanamh.   Sin é i gcomhar an blog Gaeilge.

Beidh an seirbhís trí Bhearla ar ais amárach.

Let the Buyer Seize the Day


Posted in: Princess

Business teacher:  It is well known that buyers must be careful.  There’s even a phrase “let the buyer beware” or “carpe diem”.

My first born:  Sir, I think you mean “caveat emptor”. “Carpe diem” is “seize the day”.

She is rotating from Business to Woodwork on Monday.  Probably just as well.