Gremlin’s Fireside Chat

Maeve my three year old daughter must be beginning to understand that all people are not the same (colour, language etc). I have a habit – good or bad – of trying to say hello and goodbye in the language of the person I am talking to. Maeve must have pickup up on this and the reason I know this is we were shopping in the Marks-and-Spencers in the IFSC in Dublin and after we filled the basket we approached the tills to pay for the goods. The young woman behind the till (who looked of indian origin) beckoned us over with a smile and a simple English “hello”; As we approached the till Maeve said “Namaste” (which means greetings and goodbye depending on the context) and both I and the lady did a double-take of surprise – the lady quickly recovered with a slight bow and “Namaste” in reply.

I was surprised to say the least. I use “Namaste” often when I interact with Indians since I picked up the phrase when my wife and I were on Holiday in Nepal and India a number of years ago. Maeve has heard me use it a number of times when talking to Indians – say in an Indian takeaway; What Maeve did all on her own is work out the link between the word and the apparent ethnic look of the person she is talking too. Clever girl.

My three year old wonderful daughter just made me laugh – She wanted something of mine which is not suitable for children so I said “Maeve – not until you are older”. “OK dad” she said. Five minutes later she came back “Dad, I’m older now”. You cannot fault the logic.

Its been four months since my last post ! and not a lot things have happened and a lot of things have changed. Confused? Well its official Ireland is well in the dumpster at the moment – well what do you expect with a Fianna Fail government and their “whats in it for me and my mates”; But a least we got rid of them and their poodles the green party in the recent election. Fortunately at the moment I am still working – although like many I don’t know how long for.

Maeve is blooming. She had her 3rd birthday in January and because of her love of star-wars her English, Maeve’s English is excellent if a bit eclectic. A three year old using the phrase “Yes my dear” is a bit disconcerting. Maeve is also quite tall for her age and is into 4-5 year old clothes which is quite something for someone who has just turned three.

I took Maeve swimming yesterday in the National Aquatic Pool in Blanchardtown and we have a fantastic time. It was the first time Maeve used water wings and the first time she “swam solo”. Her face was a picture of such excitement, joy and pride and she swam towards me again and again to her squeals of delight. Her smile said everything.

The usual fight for the use of TV, DVD-Player and the various remote controls has reached new hights – our 2.75 year old daughter has figured out how to put a DVD in the DVD player (and remove any already there), turn on the TV and with the remote control press the “play” button when the right screen appears on the TV (which she can already turn on or off).

Whole weekend has been “Star wars” the cartoon series – suits me

Maeve’s creches nativity play was today – and Maeve had the plum part of “mary”. The best I ever got at the Nativity was one of the three kings with the “Joseph” part going to my arch Nemesis Paul Russell and as you can tell that after 40 years it still rankles me somewhat. Needless to say I took the afternoon off work to attend the play and do a bit of festive shopping too.

At the anointed hour all the proud parents bustled into the room where the play was being held all elbowing for the best position to see their “little star” perform their part in the traditional Christmas play. I have to admit all the kids looked great in the usual towel “Arab” headdress, but the poor little mites were totally confused and frightened by the mob of “paparazzi parents” all elbowing and taking up one end of the room. Needless to say some of the mights (my daughter included) were overcome by the crowd, the low lighting and frequent flashes of camera’s and started to cry – what do you expect with 2-3 year olds.

Maeve started to cry for her daddy and eventually I made my way into the children and gave her a cuddle and sat on a baby chair which helped her somewhat and the play started with carols being sung by the children and the traditional nativity story told – punctuated by frequent sobs and crying.

All in all we all enjoyed it and Maeve enjoyed the dressing up and singing. The creche staff said she knew the whole play – words, songs and “the role” perfectly and I am sure that is the truth. Maeve even continued singing “Jingle Bells” all the way home.