Author Archives
I'm Olivia, mum to gorgeous 5 year old boy and girl twins and work as a freelance writer.
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REAL DADS: Signing with baby
Words by Anna’s dad, Brian Sharky. A friend was bringing their baby to baby sign classes and said they’d really helped their daughter become more settled. They thought the classes were great and encouraged us to bring our daughter too…. Read More ›
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Baby Sign Language
The idea of teaching sign to hearing children was first realised in the 1800s and has been used by speech and language therapists for decades to support children with speech and developmental delays. In recent years it has been recognised… Read More ›
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Living In The Present
I’ve decided to join up with a linky by Aisling Lyons, a fellow member of the Irish parenting bloggers’ group. Aisling did a post ‘mindfulness and simple pleasures‘ where she wrote about her New Year’s resolution of living in… Read More ›
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I’m Back Again
Hello! If you’re wondering where I’ve been, I took an unannounced hiatus from the blog which was pretty wonderful. I decided to suit myself and come back when I was in the mood. Not much good for my blog stats,… Read More ›
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It Sounds Like Christmas!!
If you read my previous post, which was originally written this time last year, you’ll remember that in my pre-motherhood years I was a bit of a Christmas cynic and it took that little sparkle from my children to really… Read More ›
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Is this the Spirit of Christmas?
Originally posted on Put the Kettle On:
Last year, we didn’t have any believers in my house. My little people were too young to grasp the whole concept of Santa. Of course there was excitement over the decorations and presents,… -
My Child-free Holiday
Last month I went on holiday without the kids. I had hoped to write about it before I left, but life and preparations (mostly ironing) have been getting in the way. Instead I typed a little on my iPhone on… Read More ›
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A Book Review : Put The Kettle On
I was delighted when The Collins Press in Cork asked me to review their book ‘Put The Kettle On’. Upon reading the blurb, I knew it was my cup of tea (sorry, couldn’t resist) and I took comfort in… Read More ›
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A Night At The Irish Blog Awards
This time last week my husband and I were feeling the benefits of a few craft beers at the annual Irish blog awards in the Westgrove Hotel, Co. Kildare. We were extremely lucky that my husband’s family generously treated us… Read More ›
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Everything’s changing
The school shoes are scuffed. Uniforms have begun to fade in the wash. The nerves from the first days of school are long-forgotten and the once precious, not-so-new school bags and shoes are now tossed into the corner of the… Read More ›
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Pinch me, please! I’m a Finalist in the Irish Blog Awards!
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… Read More ›
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Coping With Colic
WHAT IS COLIC? Colic is defined as a behaviour rather than a medical condition. Paediatricians regard it as excessive and frequent, inconsolable crying in a baby who is otherwise in good health and feeding well. The episodes of crying can… Read More ›
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Twins start school!!
Last week the twins started school, and although I knew the transition wouldn’t be overly difficult, a small part of me worried that things may not go smoothly. On the eve of their first day of school I found out… Read More ›
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Real Adventure Playgrounds
What are junk and adventure playgrounds? Adventure playgrounds are in bold contrast to the modern playgrounds you’ll see around Ireland today which are planned and built according to minimum safety standards. Images of adventure playgrounds show ram shackled dens, old… Read More ›
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Camping with kids in Kinsale
This post was supposed to be called we’re going camping, however we decided to leave a day early. I wrote most of it in the campers’ kitchen with the quiet company of a few mild-mannered children playing minecraft on their… Read More ›
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My guest post for One cool site
I’ve been away on a family camping trip, the details of which I’ll share in my next post. As we’ve been without WiFi and electricity, my interactions of late have been rather limited! Apologies for disappearing yet again. At the… Read More ›
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Where the fairies live…
Templemore park fairy trail is where you will find a new, budding fairy population. We’ve visited this park on a regular basis since before the kids were born. And I am without doubt that my trips here with a friend,… Read More ›
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Just one of those days
But first – a little update. I’m sorry for disappearing for a little while. I’ve decided to take a short break from my blog as the last few weeks have been pretty hectic. The kids have finished pre-school, we had… Read More ›
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My Daughter’s Imaginary Friend.
I never had an imaginary friend during my own childhood. It wasn’t until my 4 year-old daughter caught the dreaded chicken pox and developed a special little friend that I began to worry if this was a sign of a… Read More ›
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A parcel? For me??
Well knock me down with a feather boa! Look what my little pal Patricia over at ‘Colorines Wonderful’ has designed for lucky, old me. That’s me with the kids and the animals too. I love it! It’s hilarious. I’ve never… Read More ›
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Baby proofing guide
The Summer issue of Mums and Tots magazine is now in the shops for only €3. Here is one of my articles inside this great issue! 🙂 The majority of childhood accidents in Ireland take place within the home…. Read More ›
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Is it a twin thing?
I think I share most people’s natural curiosity when it comes to twins, especially regarding the question of whether they share a special bond. For me it started during my pregnancy. I was comforted when people told me the twins… Read More ›
Put the Kettle On 
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