I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a mixture of emotions in the course of one day. On Friday morning I awoke with a sinking feeling. Then I remembered why. My appointment for more root canal treatment loomed only a few hours away and I was convinced that the treatment wasn’t working. I hate going to the dentist. And I can admit to that, because that’s a fairly normal fear. Right? Anyway, when the dentist finished drilling and I stopped trembling, I got the news that everything looked good. My day was beginning to warm up.

Next stop. Belfast. Where I met my mum for a brief shopping spree and a coffee (brief because I promised the kids I’d be back in time to put them to bed). I got a beauty treatment and some makeup. We did all the brilliant girly stuff that we never get to do together since we live so far apart and I usually have the kids with me. We decided to forgo lunch in town as it would take too long and I really needed to hit the road.

We arrived back at my parents’ house where I was met with ‘congratulations!’, and one of my dad’s trademark hugs. At first I hadn’t a clue what he was talking about. While we were shopping, my husband had called and told my dad the good news. My blog has made the Finalist list in the Irish Blog Awards! Second to the day I was told that I was pregnant with twins, this is probably one of the biggest shocks I’ve ever had. I was delighted to be shortlisted and didn’t anticipate this at all. I didn’t even daydream about it. It’s still overwhelming, mainly because the other bloggers are amazing and I’m a new kid on the block. Put the Kettle On won’t have its first birthday until next month.

In two weeks the winner will be revealed at the Blog Awards, but I’m not allowing myself to think about it. I was already going to the awards and I eagerly anticipate meeting the other Irish parenting bloggers which will be hugely entertaining in itself – I’ve never met another blogger in person and the Irish parenting bloggers are the funniest, wittiest bunch you’ll ever meet, so I know we’re in for a great night.

On the way home from Belfast, I hit rush hour traffic on the M50, a wet slippery M50. But that was OK. I could cope because I’m a finalist in the Irish blog awards! Four hours after I set off, I made it home to Tipperary (It’s a long flippin’ way) and I did miss kissing the kids goodnight, but thankfully I was told they had forgotten so I didn’t feel quite as bad.

This weekend has been full of firsts and highs. We had our first night out in a long time and some local girls (another set of twins!) babysat for us. The kids loved them after trying to impress them by acting crazy and bouncing about. The next morning our lovely friends who live in Yorkshire called with their twins whom we hadn’t met before and they left us some scrumptious Yorkshire cider among other goodies.

After that we went for a walk in the park, soaked up some rays and scoffed a picnic. The kids chased dragonflies, collected conkers and couldn’t resist jumping into piles of gorgeous, crunchy leaves. We watched the cygnets fly in a loop around the lake, noticing how they have grown nearly as large as their parents. We chatted to local anglers and they showed us their catch and photos of the biggest fish they’d caught. The kids told them to try catching bigger fish!

All in all, it was a great weekend and I am still grinning like a toddler having downed too much Ribena. 🙂

The Best Parenting Blog category is sponsored by Airfield in Dundrum, an extensive working farm with gardens, woodlands, café and children’s play area. We haven’t been to Airfield yet, but it ticks all our boxes and I’m sure it will make a lovely destination for a family day trip. Maybe you should check it out too!

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Categories: Blogging, Uncategorized

Tags: Airfield, Best parenting blog, Blog awards finalist, Blog Awards Ireland 2014, Blogging, Irish Blog Awards