Tadhg hits the ice!

On New Year's Eve Tadhg went for his first ever ice skate with his cousins at the Welland Arena. Tadhg was really excited as he had been dying to go skating ever since receiving his skates on Christmas morning. Tadhg had to borrow a hockey helmet from his cousin Luka which just about fit his head.
Tadhg was very enthusiastic on the ice but quickly realised that it wasn't as easy as it looks. He tried to 'run' on the ice which meant he spent a lot of his time on his bottom!
Tadhg had a good time but was a bit disappointed that he wasn't able to immediately skate. It was a good way to spend New Year's Eve day and no doubt Tadhg will have plenty of practice next year to perfect his skating.

Tadhg's play dough fun!

Tadhg and dad tried out Tadhg's new Toy Story play dough set on a quiet St. Stephen's day (Boxing day in Canada). Tadhg especially liked pushing the dough through the "spaghetti thing" as he called it.
Unfortunately Tadhg quickly learned how much fun it is to stick play dough up his nose!

Tadhg's fourth Christmas

Tadhg's fourth Christmas started early on Christmas morning (as every morning has started since arriving in Canada). Tadhg wasn't sure where Santa had left the presents but seen figured it out once he was taken to the Christmas tree. The first present was just what Tadhg wanted (Batman with a bat-mobile) but proved a bit of a test for dad to open.

Tadhg soon found some more presents and dazzled his Baba with a Buzz Lightyear twirly wand, candy stick.
In the afternoon, everyone went to Auntie Kay's house where Tadhg finally got to meet up with all his cousins. Santa had left some more presents under Auntie Kay's tree so Tadhg got into the spirit of things by ripping open his presents!

He needed some help from Ehrin and Nicholas to open up his new Toy Story toys....

...and was happy to play with them once they were open. After present opening, Tadhg enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner before running round the house chased by his cousins.

After a busy and tiring day, Tadhg and dad settled into their usual pre-sleep routine of videos, crisps and water. Tadhg had a great day and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Tadhg's Christmas Eve

After the long and extended adventure that was the trip to Canada, Tadhg was delighted to finally arrive at his Baba and Papa's house. He remembered everything and wanted to go down to the basement straight away to play with his fire truck! Auntie Kay called by to say hello and Tadhg quickly enlisted his aunt as a deputy fire-woman.

Tadhg spent Christmas Eve on at his Baba's house and didn't get to see his cousins because of a chicken pox outbreak! Santa's elves fast-tracked an express delivery for Tadhg so he got a bath toy present just in time for his Christmas Eve bath.

Tadhg was very happy with his new Sesame Street bath toys and was excited about Santa arriving later that night. Dad was tracking Santa via Santa radar and saw that he was just over Spain by the time Tadhg went to bed. Hopefully his reindeer can make it across the ocean....

Tadhg is stranded in Prague

Unfortunately Tadhg, mom and dad had a longer than expected stay in Prague airport. When they arrived to check-in for their flight on Sunday morning, they were told that most major airports in Europe were closed due to heavy snowfall and their flight was cancelled. Mom had to queue up at the airline desk for an alternative flight while Tadhg and dad ran around the departures area. The earliest available flight was on Tuesday via Germany! Luckily the airline put them up in a hotel but there was a lot of waiting, queueing, waiting, sleeping, waiting, storytelling, waiting and eating. When they turned up for their flight on Tuesday it was cancelled and they had to queue again to get an alternative flight via Poland. Finally on Wednesday, Tadhg, mom and dad got onto a plane and cheered as it took off. To everyone's relief they arrived in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon.

Tadhg was a trooper during the long wait in Prague airport. He wore his Spiderman suit every day and became know as little Spidey by all the hotel guests (who were mostly other stranded passengers!). It was a bad end to their stay in Prague and made mom and dad more convinced that their move to Canada is the right one.

Tadhg's last day in Prague

Saturday was Tadhg's last full day in Prague. Everyone helped with the final preparations for packing in the morning and then took a well deserved break to make a final visit to the Christmas markets to pick up some gifts and a last trdelnik for Tadhg (and dad!). After the markets, they had lunch at one of their favourite restaurants (Radost) for the final time.
The afternoon was set aside for packing and final preparations. The apartment looked very blank and ready for the new tenant to move in (which he did during the packing!). At one point it looked like there was too much stuff to fit into the family's baggage allowance for the flight to Canada, but everything eventually squeezed in. There were so many bags that two taxis were needed to take all the bags and boxes from the apartment to the airport hotel.
After a very exciting final day in Prague, Tadhg was happy to get a good sleep in the airport hotel room. Mom and dad were a little bit nostalgic about leaving their home for the last few years but everyone was now looking forward to the trip to Canada.

Tadhg's last day at school!

Preparations for the big move have advanced rapidly over the past week. Tadhg's room has been transformed from a fun kid's room into a normal bedroom simply by the removal of Tadhg's stickers. Tadhg's bed was packed up and shipped out on Friday morning along with most of his toys and lots of other stuff that mom and dad want to have in Canada. The book cases are bare and their apartment is looking less like a home and more like a rental apartment (which the whole idea!).

Friday was a big day, it was Tadhg's last day at school and the penultimate day for packing. Tadhg was happy to go into school and his teachers had planned a little farewell party for Tadhg. They were sad to see him go and Mileda (Tadhg's favourite and longest teacher) shed a little tear to see him leave for the last time. The teachers had a small gift for Tadhg which was very sweet and will be a nice reminder of his school in Prague.

After school Tadhg came home to help mom and dad pack and enjoyed trying out his travel bags. Tadhg wasn't a very practical packer though - he only wanted to pack toys and books!

Tadhg says farewell to Ava

On Saturday Tadhg, mom and dad had a farewell brunch with Ava and her mom and dad in their favourite weekend brunch hangout - Bohemia Bagel. Tadhg always enjoys playing with Ava and this was no exception (although Tadhg was more interested in running around the restaurant shooting lasers than playing in the play area!)
As the kid's played, the parents talked about their future plans. Ava (along with her mom and dad) is moving back to San Francisco on Tuesday while Tadhg will be flying to Canada next week. It was great that they were able to be buddies in Prague and hopefully their paths will cross in the future.

Tadhg is visited by Mikulas

After dinner on Monday, Tadhg discovered that Mikulas had visited the night before and left some presents in Tadhg's stocking. Tadhg had forgotten all about it in the morning!
Tadhg was very excited to open his new presents and was most excited about his new Iron Man figure and his new "Just Go To Bed!" book. Tadhg demanded that latter was read as he held the former. Although this is Tadhg's last Saint Nicholas day in Prague, mom and dad plan to carry on the tradition in Canada.

Tadhg the little devil!

December 6th is Saint Nicholas day in Prague and the tradition is that kids get dressed up as Saint Nicholas, angels and devils on December 5th and wander out into the night. Tadhg has experienced this holiday for the first time last year when he was a bit afraid of the devils.

On this Sunday, Tadhg, mom and dad joined the many other families in the Christmas markets at Namesti Miru. Most of the kids were dressed up and there was a real festive air around the square. As usual, Tadhg wanted to visit the witches where he noticed some flashing devil horns which he just had to have!
Everyone was getting a bit chilly so they decided to come home. Tadhg enjoyed checking out his new devil horns in the mirror! Unfortunately, they were not the sturdiest of accessories and the left horn was soon detached from the headband. Tadhg didn't mind too much though.

As per tradition, Tadhg hung out his stocking before going to bed hoping Mikulas (St. Nicholas) and his angel pass by during the night and leave some gifts.

Tadhg gets packing!

Mom and dad have been gradually getting rid of their "stuff" over the last couple of months to reduce the amount to be shipped to Canada. On Saturday the big boxes came out as everyone got down to the serious business of packing. Tadhg enjoyed the biggest box and quickly adapted it as his tunnel and hiding place. Everyone has a busy month ahead to get ready for the move.

Tadhg's winter commute

Snow and ice has descended on Prague making most commutes longer and more difficult than usual. Fortunately, Tadhg's commute has become faster and more fun as he has quickly adapted to the snow by using his sled! Mom and dad bought the sled at the very end of the last winter season and are glad to get some use out of it before they leave Prague. Tadhg just loves sledding into school every morning!

Tadhg's grandparents visit

On Friday, Tadhg's grandparents flew in from Ireland for a weekend in Prague. Tadhg was excited about seeing his granny and granddad and had talked about them all week. When he finally saw them on Friday evening he showed off by being silly as usual! Granny and granddad were delighted to see him.
On Saturday, Tadhg showed his grandparents around the Christmas markets on Namesti Miru and on Wenceslas Square. The witches were of course the highlight of the tour! As granny and granddad will not see Tadhg over Christmas, they brought along a Christmas gift which Tadhg opened on Saturday.
Tadhg was very excited to open the present and had to ask granddad for help to tear open the well wrapped gift.
Tadhg was thrilled when he saw it was a talking Woody doll! Woody immediately surpassed the witch as Tadhg's favourite toy and was taken to bed on Saturday night.

On Sunday Tadhg took his grandparents to the little gym and showed them his exercises. In the evening they had a farewell meal in Tadhg's favourite train restaurant where Tadhg showed them the trains chugging from table to table. Tadhg enjoyed the visit and was sad to see his Irish grandparents leave on Monday.

Tadhg's very own witch!

After days of going to the Christmas market to see "the witches", Tadhg finally got his very own witch to bring home. Tadhg chose a witch with a yellow sparkly dress and thought she was "beautiful!". The witch was given pride of place hovering over Tadhg's toy box occasionally cackling and kicking away as Tadhg sneaked up to clap in front of her. Mom and dad are happy to have a memento of the Christmas markets to bring with them and Tadhg is just happy!

Tadhg visits the Christmas markets

After his early morning exercise at the playground, and a lunch with friends Rob and Karolinka, Tadhg visited the Christmas markets which have just opened in Namesti Miru. Tadhg, mom and dad love this time of year in Prague as the city really gets into the festive spirit. The markets are the same every year even to the layout of the stalls.

Once again Tadhg's favourite stall is the one with the witches. Tadhg stares at them with a mixture of fear and curiosity as they cackle and kick their little legs and is only happy to leave the market after seeing "the witches".

Tadhg visits old haunts

Tadhg, mom and dad only have a month left in Prague so the next few weeks are bound to be somewhat nostalgic for everyone. Saturday morning dawned cold but bright so the family decided to visit one of Tadhg's favourite playgrounds on Korunni street.

This playground also happens to be close to an English shop selling goods from home so is popular with mom and dad too! Tadhg enjoyed being the only kid there and had a great time on the swings, pirate ship.....
...rocking horses....
....and climbing frame. It really was cold though so after an hour of running around, everyone decided it was time to go someplace hot to warm up. Mom and dad wondered if they will have a chance to return to the playground before they leave....

Tadhg and the giant pancake

Wednesday was a national holiday in the Czech Republic to celebrate the 'Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day'. This commemorates demonstrations against Nazi occupation in 1939 and Communist occupation in 1989. Most importantly for Tadhg it meant a day off school to spend with mom and dad! Tadhg decided to go to one of his favourite restaurants, Bohemia Bagel, to play in the play area and have some of his favourite pancakes.
Tadhg was really excited about having the giant pancakes and practically jumped into his chair to have them. After covering them with maple syrup Tadhg proceeded to steadily make his way through his brunch.
As it may be one of their last times in the old town square, the family decided to get some photos of the famous old town clock....
....and the Jan Hus statue. Mom and dad wonder if Tahdg will remember his time in Prague and are glad to have some photos and mementos to show him when he's older.

Tadhg celebrates mom's birthday

It was mom's birthday on Monday but the big birthday meal was planned for Sunday night instead. Tadhg was very happy to go to the family's favourite restaurant in Prague, Aromi. The waiters and staff were very welcoming as always and seemed especially pleased to have Tadhg as a patron. The waiter showed Tadhg the seafood specials including a sea elephant (lobster) which Tadhg was fascinated and scared by at the same time.

During the meal, Tadhg asked to see the "fish hands" in the kitchen and the waiter took Tadhg, and dad, in to see the octopus tentacles and other delights to be found there. Tadhg was amazed and didn't want to leave. After dinner Tadhg went back for another look at the octopus tentacles before the waiter brought out a birthday cake for mom which Tadhg enjoyed blowing the candles out on.

Tadhg had a great time (and mom did too seeing her little man so happy). Happy Birthday mom!

Tadhg's end of year gardening

On Saturday the weather was unseasonably warm for November (17 degrees!) so Tadhg, mom and dad decided to get the pre-winter garden cleanup out of the way. Tadhg and dad raked up the mountain of leaves that had fallen over the Autumn with great help from their neighbour Pani Dobra. Mom cleaned off the slide to get it ready for winter storage. It was fun to be able to enjoy the garden in November and everyone needed a rest after their exertions.

Tadhg meets some witches!

On Tuesday, Tadhg's dad's work held a Halloween party for all the staff kids. Tadhg and mom came to meet dad after work so they could join in the festivities. The party was outside on a Prague November evening so everyone was wrapped up well. Tadhg was a bit nervous of the "witches" so Tadhg, mom and dad went into dad's office and met some of dad's work mates.

When Tadhg was feeling braver (helped by his Spiderman outfit) he went back outside and enjoyed jumping in the haunted bouncy castle, admired the many jack-o-lanterns, happily accepted a black Halloween balloon from a witch and crawled through the giant spider's web to get some Halloween sweets. Tadhg enjoyed himself but it was a bit chilly so was happy to go home on the warm metro. As he gets older Tadhg is enjoying Halloween more and more.

Tadhg is Spiderman!

On Halloween night Tadhg went to a Halloween party at his friend Ava's house. Tadhg turned into Spiderman for the night and looked very super heroish in his beefed up outfit. Tadhg had great fun at the party trying all the Halloween treats and making lots of new friends.

After running around for most of the night the kids finally sat down on the sofa for a rest before Tadhg went home to bed for a well deserved sleep.