Our Jack is 9

Our Jack turned 9 on Thursday this week. Every birthday before 18 is exciting but 9 is always a special one as its only 1 year away from double digits! Jack received an iPad Mini as his one big birthday present - plenty of excitement there. Then his school day was one he couldn't ask for better - it was the swimming gala for the Junior Sports League with three other international schools so he was at the stadium between 9:30 to 2pm - grand day he had!

Jack did well for the swimming getting two first place ribbons for 25m fly and 50m breast. Then in the afternoon we had cake with the family. For the record, yes I did try to make a paleo beetroot chocolate cake for my little boy and needless to say it ended up in the bin!

Then on Friday Jack had his party. Donncha took Jack and Ayden together with 7 of Jack's mates to the cinema to watch Captain America 2 and then it was pizza and cake and 6 boys slept over. 

As for the sleepover part, it was certainly different to having 10 girls over in January! This duvet coming making its way into the McCarthy household made us laugh!

And the next morning!

Love this picture Donncha took. Different styles of jumping in - top points to the somersault!

The theme for the morning was guns and pool - no points for guessing what I preferred!

And cake! Another rich chocolate cake from Kitchen of Jasmine. 

So divine probably because no beetroot were involved! 

KK in March

We had a refreshing break in KK for the school holidays

Our mornings started with this view

And ended with the most amazing sunsets

We dined with family and friends

Made new ones

And strengthened our friendship

We hung out by the pool

And the Marina just admiring the boats and yachts

Played on the little beach at the hotel 

And a short trip to Sapi Island albeit with the masses!

And we enjoyed many dinners especially Chinese seafood!

With plenty of garlic and chillies!

Lobster!

And crabs!

Which the boys devoured - and all the better now 

that they are now able to pick out the meat themselves!

Maria 1 Appendix 0

It's a weekend we won't forget. Firstly our adventure journey from KK with the two hour detour in Lawas spent with two mechanic brothers who looked like they were going to pull our car engine apart. 

Then yesterday my suspected "food poinsoning" took a turn for the worse till I was writhing with so much abdominal pain. Unable to take the pain anymore I made Donncha drive me to our nearest hospital to get some relief. Upon examination the doctor said he suspected appendicitis and ordered an ultrasound. Me "Forget the ultrasound, just give me painkillers and I'll go home"! 

Thankfully I was promptly overruled as it did turn out to be my appendix and the surgeon came in an hour to remove it! It all happened very quickly - thank you JPMC - and I was back in the suite by 12midnight. It's also some minor miracle this happened at home as opposed to the last 9 days whilst we were away!

Unfortunately (or some might say fortunately) today is the last day to attempt 14.5 of the Crossfit Open. I did want a score for this considering my big 0 for 14.2 but hey ho. Not sure which would have been more painful!

Hopefully I will be allowed home today! 

St. Patricks Day 2014

What we did this year on this fun-filled national Irish green holiday 

If there was one day to have a green smoothie than its this one. In this was spinach, banana and melon and plenty of chia seeds for extra luck!

Donncha and I went deep into the green for a jungle walk

Followed by a lovely lunch with my Crossfit friends

And FaceTime with Grannie and Granded in Cork. We hope all our family and friends in Ireland and beyond had a lovely St Patricks Day!

Ayden's Year 2 work

It was Parent-Teachers meetings at school this week and I wanted to share two pieces of Ayden's work that made me laugh and filled me with plenty of motherly love. The first is a poem; My Mum

My Mum is as strong as my Dad

My Mum is a great cook

My mum is as beautiful as a butterfly 

My Mum is as nice as a fairy

My Mum is as smart as a calculator

My Mum is as fast as a lion

My Mum is as comfy as an armchair

I love the first line most (sorry Daddy) and the calculator line (he's never seen me try add my weights at crossfit!. And I have never been described "as comfy as an armchair". This one's for keeps!

Ayden's class teacher says he's very competitive and this second piece says all that!

Weekend jungle walks

This weekend has been all about the jungle for us. Yesterday morning we took Iman to one of our favourite walks with the deep pools which Iman absolutely loved. Its amazing what you find in the jungle and the cascading pools are one of the best features and so close to built up areas.

And this morning the whole family went - probably the first time we have all gone for a walk together. Unfortunately no rock pools in this area and we had a few moans. But we did it what we needed to do and the kids were rewarded with fruit back at the car.

I will never tire of the jungle and all it has to offer ~ despite all the cobwebs I walked into this morning. I know many that would be terrified to walk into one - so much taboo about going jungle walking - but to me the jungle is an oasis that offers endless adventures and is simply the best Brunei has to offer.