Mommy Diaries evolves into The Irish Homecoming -- It’s Great to Be Back Home

The big move from New York to Ireland finally over, APRIL DREW and her family couldn’t he happier.  She provides details on her action packed first week back, which has included lots of Irish sunshine.

Hello Ireland. We missed you dearly. Nine years is a long time to be away from you. 

Now we would like to thank you for putting on a good show since our return last Tuesday, May 22. You have kindly allowed us to enjoy a full week of sunny skies, high temperatures and soft summer breezes. We couldn’t have asked for a better welcome home.

There is no place like Ireland when it’s sunny. From Dingle to Donegal and right around the country beaches are thronged, local stores were selling out of bathing suits, sun cream and 99 ice creams, and everyone (and I mean everyone) has forgotten about the recession for five minutes while they bask in the summer sun.

It’s hard to imagine that this weather is rare in Ireland. Obviously we are well aware it is, but when the skies are blue rain is the last thing on anyone’s mind.

We’ll be in for some shock when normal Irish weather resumes. But this week is looking good too, and people are already planning their beach mini-vacations for the upcoming June bank holiday weekend.

So our return has been fantastic and super busy.  The first day we arrived to John’s mom’s home in Limerick was probably the best. The place was like a train station all day.

From the moment we arrived Mary Mooney (my mother-in-law – the best there is) and John’s wonderful aunt Irenaie had a full Irish breakfast spread ready for us. There were several of John’s family there to welcome us home and throughout the day people came to see the Yanks.

My mother and brother arrived from Kerry shortly after the breakfast. It was the first time everyone met Sadie (our 13-week-old), and many had not met Colum (our 18-month-old) either. There was fierce excitement.

I have never seen Colum happier. He spent the day having so much fun with his cousins Cian, Amy, Alex and Scott. He has a big soft spot for Amy, 4, and has already mastered saying her name.
I sat back last Tuesday afternoon with a cup of tea and cupcake in my hand and smiled. I had that warm feeling inside. You know the feeling you get when everything is exactly as it should be.

This was why we moved back to Ireland. It was beautiful to see John catch up with his family, see my mother Liz and brother Gavin dote over my kids, and most of all see Colum buzzing around with excitement with all his new friends.

Any sort of routine I had established for the kids had gone way out the window. Putting them to bed at 7:30 p.m. was not an option.  At 9 p.m. the kids are still playing outside and it’s still bright at 10 p.m. when I struggle to get them down.

We can’t get over how bright it is so late.  We had forgotten how wonderful this is.
And the late night bedtime has a knock on effect the next morning, so gone are the days of getting up at 6 a.m. They are now sleeping till 8:30-9 a.m.

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