Sunscreen & Popsicles

 

I have just spent the most wonderful summer of my life taking care of 3 little boys in Canada. I've explored Toronto, I've been to Niagara Falls. I've had an awful lot of adventures, and it has changed me forever. But I must admit... When I'm old and grey, my fondest memories of my summer as an au pair in Toronto will be of sitting on the porch in the sun licking melted popsicle off little fingers and laughing and telling stories about frogs and balloons and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Sunscreen & Popsicles Playlist

Smile Bright- Letters & Lights

Rollerblades- Eliza Doolittle

When I Grow Up- The Beach Boys

One Thing- One Direction

Three Little Birds- Bob Marley

When I'm Gone- A Rocket To The Moon

Gold Rush- Ed Sheeran

Does Your Mother Know- Abba

Follow Me- Uncle Kracker

Brighter Than The Sun- Colbie Caillat

Never Grow Up- Taylor Swift

Being Five Years Old

Meet Zach. And remember who he is, because one day this kid will be famous. Be it for music, painting or his new found talent of photography, his name will be be on everyone's tongue, mark my words. 

Today he begged and begged me to let him take photos with my phone, so I let him. And this evening I finally got a second to look through the photos he had taken. It hadn't occurred to me before, but  allowing him to let loose with a camera turned out to be a wonderful way for me to see life through his eyes. And wowee, what I saw inspired me. 

Give an adult a camera, and they will capture the memories that stand out, the 'big' things. I think we spend too much time thinking about the bigger picture, all of the things that stand out in our lives as interesting or important. Give a child a camera, and they will show you what life is really all about. 

Sweet Memories

It's fascinating how a specific taste can take you back to one moment in time that you had long since forgotten. 

I was 7 years old when we moved to America for a year. That was where I experienced the taste of Tootsie Roll for the first time, and I haven't had that taste since then. Last week I was offered a small piece of Tootsie Roll. And as soon as I put it in my mouth, so many memories came flooding back. It was nice. :)

I remembered the summer that I read every single Nancy Drew book. They scared me so much that I couldn't even go to the bathroom alone, but I was hooked. 

I remembered the only Christmas we ever spent without our extended family. And I remembered how we celebrated Christmas all over again with them in February when we returned home. :) 

I remembered my own experience of 9/11, and how at that age I had no idea how serious it was. Or how close we were to it. 

I remembered other foods we used to eat that we couldn't get when we returned home to Ireland. 

My obsession with Mary Kate and Ashley. 

Attending an American elementary school.

Starting my collection of Beanie Babies.

Yes, the sense of taste is an incredible thing. I was able to take a wonderful trip down memory lane all because of one little piece of Tootsie Roll.

Love always,

Orla

10 Signs That I'm Growing Up

{1} My friends and I sometimes have to google phrases that younger people use because we are so out of the loop that we don't know what they mean. Things like 'totes awky mo-mo' (which apparently means 'totally awkward moment') and  'so weak in life' ('This is so funny!') aren't phrases we are 'young' enough to understand...

{2} I have to worry about things like paying the deposit for my apartment, and where I can buy the cheapest milk. Imagine!

{3} My dreams are finally coming true. I'm working as a nurse. :)

{4} Adult conversations no longer bore me. I don't know when this transition happened, but I now get a thrill from hearing about shopping for new curtains or certain current affairs. Huh??

{5} My friends and I recently went to Paris. All by ourselves. No adult supervision- we were the adults. What is going on?!

{6} Having friends over and just chatting over a cup of tea is one of my favourite past-times. :)

{7} I get such a kick out of learning new things. I want to go to lectures, and I love hearing what my friends are learning in their courses too.

{8} We are so excited about buying flowers and cushions for our apartment next year. And we talk about how we will organise cleaning and grocery shopping.

{9} I actually like the taste of wine.

{10} Having children is no longer way in the future. 2 of my close friends are already mothers. And it's not very scary either. :)

Of course, I am not fully grown up and I doubt I ever will be! I still love all things Disney, my friends and I still skip around in public, and we go crazy for playgrounds haha. :) But I'm not afraid to grow up a little either. It's exciting. :) 

Remember When?

Remember when dandelion seeds could really tell your future? You'd watch the fluffy seeds take flight, full of hope that your wish might just come true. 

Remember walking with the waves, watching each one tumble over the next? And trying to guess just how far each wave would reach before retreating shyly to the ocean? 

Remember when it was okay to just be yourself, to not have to worry what the rest of the world saw you as? Remember when it was attractive to be messy, and fashion wasn't an issue? 

Remember when we cried only because we'd stepped on a lego piece or we'd dropped our lollipop? 

I'm turning 18 on Thursday. That's getting big. Don't get me wrong, I am suuuper excited! I have been waiting for this birthday for a very long time. I'm definitely ready for it. I've never been more excited for a birthday. :) I'm just feeling a little sentimental about it, I guess. I won't be a child ever again. I won't feel the excitement of loosing a tooth, or fit in the baby swings at the playground. I'll get odd looks for skipping in public (though I still do that anyway!), being in on grown up conversations are no longer such a big deal and Christmas will never be quite as magical. 

Wow, I didn't mean to make this post so sad! There is an awful lot that I miss about being a kid... But I am so happy to be starting a new chapter of my life. And I have photos and memories to look back on always. :) It's just happiness tinted with nostalgia. 

Now, on to the next adventure.... 

Love always,

Orla.x