We went to Ireland to see family in May 2019 in Sligo. Our flight was 10am from Luton and Thomas seemed to enjoy seeing the plane and being at the airport. We got some breakfast, the usual fried breakfast but Luton had changed so much since I last went there. We parked in a high storey car park right near it for a meet and greet. We left on the Friday and we landed around 11.30, Thomas passed out in the car quite quickly but then only slept 15 mins as I thought he was choking so stopped to check he had nothing in his throat, not a good move as he didn't sleep anymore. I spoke to Patsy to try and get instructions to the house in Aclare as we had a sat nav but it didn't recognise Culdalee. We then headed through Aclare and by chance saw Gerard. He seemed surprised to see us and thought we were coming on the Saturday. We waited to follow him back but ended up being half an hour as he was doing some bits. We popped to say hi to Richella and she was surprised to see us as well. We left to head to Sarah's as I was worried she would be waiting with lunch for us as mentioned on the email. When we got to the house we knocked a few times and finally Sarah answered but she had got the dates mixed up and expected us the following day. Her mum was there to sit with the boys as she was going shopping. Barry had been sick in the week with tonsillitis and in hospital so they had a rough week. Thomas played with Barry's toys as he was asleep so was happy enough. About 3ish after having some food we went for a wander and to get Thomas to have a sleep as he was shattered so we drove about and parked in town whilst he slept for a good hour. We then popped back to see Gerard and Richella and Thomas enjoyed looking around although the big black sheep baa'd and scared the crap out of him and he cried. They had a dog there but you had to be careful as he could go for you if he didn't know you. Richella then made a massive lasagne for dinner for us which was lovely and we then headed back to put Thomas to sleep after a busy day. She offered to make us a dinner the next day as well. I wasn't sure of any plans with GP and Sarah but it sounded good to me. When we headed back GP was not long home after but the boys went to bed much later then Thomas but also slept later in the mornings. Their house was lovely and big and Thomas liked the space to run around.
On Saturday, Sarah went off to work as she had to cover some shift and GP was with the boys all day so we got up after they had a play and headed to see Richella and Gerard briefly and see the 5 lambs getting fed. We then headed to see Patsy and Sheila and she made us a lovely fried breakfast. We stayed for a little while and then headed back for Thomas's snooze time. Whilst he slept we had a chat with GP and relaxed a bit. Later that afternoon we headed for a walk and saw Dad's old school and a little pony which Thomas liked. It was so quiet and peaceful and the weather was lovely for us. We then went back to Gerard and Richella and she made us a big roast dinner. The portion size was unreal. Richella had some toys there so Thomas played with them. We headed back again for his bedtime and Sarah was home a little later. She said they were going to mass the next morning and about going to the park. I wasn't sure on the timing so we were up as usual around 7 but they didn't get up until 8.30 and then were going mass first so on the Sunday morning we went down briefly to say hi to Richella and Gerard and then went to say goodbye to Pasty and Sheila. We had some tea and Irish bread which Thomas enjoyed. We got some nice pictures. Sheila had picked Thomas some Nike blue bottoms, a top and jacket which was sweet of her. We then went to meet Gerard Patrick and Sarah and the boys at the park for a little run around and Richella came down to take some pictures. We headed back to get Thomas to have a snooze before we left.
Richella and Gerard popped to the house and Sarah made us some lunch before we left. Thomas got up for a bit and we got some nice pictures and he was spoilt with money from Richella and Gerard. We left again around 3ish for our flight home, getting some petrol on the way back. We landed around half 6 and then got home for around 7.40 and put Thomas into bed. It was a nice and busy weekend seeing family and taking Thomas to Ireland for the first time.