Hating Goodbyes

Its hard to believe that my week of entertaining the 'Yanks' is almost over. David left on Thursday, the girls left today, and Courtney is headed home on Sunday (although apparently Dublin airport was closed down for awhile- I'm praying for her to be snowed in!). I have had such a good time with the kids here. Traveling around the country with them has really been one of the highlights of my trip to Ireland. They have picked up some Irish expressions and shared some American flair with everyone they've met. I feel like I've started saying more Irish phrases since having them around than I did before they came!

Taylor and Eoghan

Wednesday morning we took our time waking up and getting ready. We didn't have too much on our agenda besides visiting Blarney. Blarney is only 20 minutes away from Killavullen and is home to the 'Blarney Stone'. When I asked Gillian and Kieran the point of the Blarney Stone they said it was an easy way to make millions off Americans! (and believe me, it's worked) We shopped around in Blarney Woollen Mills, and then Courtney, Sarah, Bethany, and I bought tickets to the Blarney Castle. This castle was pretty unbelievable. It was much more exciting than Bunratty which we had done earlier in the week. Once we made our way up the skinny staircase, we each kissed the Blarney stone (hopefully NOT catching swine flu in the process) and (as the myth has it) gained the gift of eloquence.

Pebble Hill Roommates Climbing the Blarney Castle

Kissing the Blarney Stone

On our way home from Blarney, we stopped at the grocery store to get supplies for that nights dinner. We made pasta 'a la Taylor', garlic bread, and a vegetable stir fry. I also baked cake batter cookies with the supplies they had brought me from home (YUM!).

David was the babysitter (aka the 'Manny') while the girls cooked dinner

Thursday was an early morning taking David to Shannon airport. Sarah and Bethany followed me up in the rental car to return and then rode back with me to Killavullen. We were back by 9:30 AM (a long morning!). My car is of course still making an awful clanking noise (sounds like I'm dragging a chain.. but I'm not...), so we figured we were helping the entire town wake up for work on time as we motored on by.

Once we got back home, Sarah and Bethany went up for a nice four hour nap, while Taylor, Courtney, and I watched the kiddos (Gill and Kieran were back at work that morning). Gillian's cousin came by to take Taylor, Courtney, and Eoghan farming (and of course for their first tractor ride!). Taylor was NOT too impressed with the cow smell! I took Katie for a walk in her new bike. Based on the expression on her face, I don't think she had too much fun:

Courtney and I visiting the cows

Taylor, Eoghan, and Courtney going for a tractor ride!

I had to take Taylor, Sarah, and Bethany to Shannon this morning to catch their 1:45 PM flight. Courtney was nice enough to watch the kids while I was gone. My tiny little Opel Corsa was packed to the brim. Sarah and Bethany had to share one seat because the suitcases were taking up so much room. It was of course an emotional morning saying goodbye, but I am blessed to still have Courtney around! This blog and the pictures will never do the whole experience justice. It was so much fun sharing Ireland with these guys!

Of 'corsa' the Corsa was packed to the brim