Leo...but not Dicaprio: Grand-parenting

Good grand-parenting is probably something you learn on the job although your own grandparents are your first reference point. For now we wanted to be useful, assuming some of the chores that need to be done, and allow the new mother to get some rest and have some quality time with her baby.

Yesterday there was grocery shopping, fixing meals, and rocking the baby. Today had more of the same but we also had a chance to walk the neighborhood while we dropped and picked up the dogs from the vet and groomer.

TJ went to the vet in Ranelagh which is a nice little town devoid of the franchises that litter the American landscape. There is a lot of concrete and little grass. The city is serious about cleaning up after your dog.

The veterinary clinic is crowded and first in line gets the first appointment. We arrived fifteen minutes before opening and we were the first customers. The Irish have a sense of humor as evidenced by this picture hanging at te clinic.

TJ needed to spend the day so we stopped for coffee and hot chocolate. We saw this quiet neighborhood bar on the way back to the apartment. Kelly and Richard said it was frequented by a group of older people who looked at them like they did not belong there.

Later we passed a small Italian restaurant. Don't tell lies.

You can see the Ranelagh Luas elevated station in the background behind the sign. Under the station there is an arch entrance to a one hectare garden. This duck was low on water and had lost his flock.

Later on we picked up Mackenzie Grace from the groomer. Kelly, Richard,and Harris strolled over earlier that morning. When we arrived we were greeted by a Springer Spaniel who repeatedly sprang to the top of a half door, sprang down, greeted us, and sprang back up and over. Possibly the most agile dog I have met. They were working on this St. Bernard while we were there.