belgianwaffle

Princess

The Classics Summarised


Posted in: Princess, Reading etc., Twins, Youngest Child

We’re having a “Pride and Prejudice” moment here. You may recall that we went to see a play before Christmas and herself has read the novel. We saw the film with Keira Knightly. Mr. Waffle brought home the BBC series from the library and the Princess and I watched it together.

During that last, rather lengthy, process over several evenings, Michael annoyed us both by looking up briefly from playing on my phone [or “our phone” as he calls it] and saying, “So, Pride and Prejudice is basically about a bunch of girls who get married?”

Parent Teacher Meetings


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

We had our annual parent-teacher meetings. Mr. Waffle and I went along and wedged ourselves into tiny primary school size chairs and heard that all is well. Though Michael is inclined to question the utility of much of his repetitive labours such as colouring, writing and sums which could be done much more speedily and effectively on the computer. I got the impression that his teacher did not entirely welcome Michael’s consequent reluctance to engage in these activities. However, some kind of truce appears to have been worked out. I am pleased to reveal that only other day I was summoned to the classroom to admire a project on Ancient Greece which he, his brother and a classmate had worked on. It involved both colouring and writing and they were all justly proud of their labours.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day


Posted in: Ireland, Princess

On Friday, the school allowed the children to dress up as a figure from celtic mythology or Irish history. The Princess spent weeks thinking about her costume and putting it together and eventually went as a druidess [is that actually a word?].

However, in her year, the whole dressing up thing seems to have peaked and most of the other children just wore Leprechaun hats and t-shirts saying “Kiss me, I’m Irish” [thank you America, sigh].

There were three other children in her class who had dressed up: a girl as Aoife (the evil step-mother in the Children of Lir), one boy as Michael Collins and one boy as Bobby Sands. There are quite, um, green, elements in the school.

“What did J wear as Bobby Sands?” I asked.
“His swimsuit and a blanket.”

I’m really sorry I missed that.

In other news, even though it is a bank holiday, there is still GAA training. Horrific. We skipped it. We’d already been to the parade; how much should one family have to suffer?

Climbed the Sugar Loaf over the weekend. Obligatory photos:

And a happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too.

Seasonal


Posted in: Princess

Herself: I’m thinking of making unleavened bread.
Me: Are you, where will you get the recipe?
Her: From the Bible.

For Georgette Heyer Fans


Posted in: Princess, Reading etc.

So, look, I started herself on Georgette Heyer. I started when I was 11 (the Reluctant Widow) and she was keen to give them a go. She has already read all the Georgettes I have in Dublin: “The Grand Sophy” (twice), “Cotillion”, “False Colours”, “Arabella”,”The Foundling”, Pistols for Two”, “Friday’s Child”, “A Lady of Quality” and “The Reluctant Widow”. What volume should I give her next? On the one hand, we’re having great fun talking about them and quoting from them (I have finally discovered what my memory is filled with – huge chunks of Georgette text) but I’m not sure that I want her to read all the good ones before she turns 11. And are the ones I think good, the ones she will most enjoy at this age? For my money the only good ones left are “The Unknown Ajax”, “Venetia”, “A Civil Contract” and “Frederica”. In related news, these novels are deeply unsuited for the 21st century child (I definitely did NOT know exactly what libertine meant when I was her age).

Recommendations for Georgettes or, even, other novels gratefully received in the comments. She’s read “Pride and Prejudice” (twice).

It’s all about who?


Posted in: Princess, Siblings

Sister (to me last week): You haven’t updated your blog in ages.
Daughter: I know, and I have said so many blog worthy things.

So, obviously, I’m back.