It’s Friday!!
We have BIG plans this weekend…at home. I.am.so.pumped.
Today, I’m sharing Dublin PART TWO! If you missed PART ONE yesterday, you need to go back and read it HERE so that you’re not behind. We LOVED Dublin! It was the perfect city for kiddos. Just look and see…
…we started off the morning with breakfast at Metro Cafe. Who doesn’t want a cappuccino and eggs to kick start the day?!
It was another beautiful day to be in Ireland!
After breakfast, we walked over to the National Museum of Ireland…where we saw a lot of…
…things that have been taxidermy-ed (I made that word up, but it fits!). Um, this type of stuff is not my jam. Andrew Shull? Fascinated. Me? A little freaked out. I have never in my life seen anything like this before. There were two floors of fish, birds, reptiles and other animals dating back to the late 1800’s. It was INSANE. This museum was free to enter, so we wandered in and stayed a while.
Kensington’s favorite animal is the otter…clearly 😉 .
Y’all. My kids thought this was so cool.
After that, we headed back to the park…
…such a sweet girl!
Everyone played and played! See them? They were having so much fun!
At 12:30, it was time for us to board…
…the Viking Splash Tour. Oh my goodness! This was so much fun!! We bought our tickets earlier that morning (you can buy them online too) and couldn’t wait for our ride. It’s an hour and a half of part bus tour, part boat tour. The “host” Viking that took us on our tour was FANTASTIC! I don’t know where they found this guy, but he was awesome!
When I said “say cheese!”.
On board, everyone got to wear a Viking hat for the tour…
…super fun! The first part of the tour, you drove around and your Viking told you all about the history of the people, sites and buildings in Dublin.
This did not interest Madeley. Side note, how sweet is this picture? It melted my heart.
The second part of the tour, your boat entered the water!
The Viking told the kids to plug their noses in case we sank. Ha!
This was just so much fun! The kids loved it, we learned a lot, and we saw Dublin!
After our tour, we ate a late lunch. It was like 2:30 and we were hungry!
Then, we got gelato! Kensington…this melts me too.
Happy people! We took our ice cream and walked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral…
…just gorgeous!
Ashby at St. Patrick’s!
It was a must-see in Dublin!
But this wasn’t…
We had purchased tickets to go here after…
…because we were told it was a great stop for families. But…
…this is what my kids thought about it. The sweet lady that gave us this tour could not have been nicer (or more well-versed on Dublin!), but it was just boring. We stayed in one room for 15 minutes while she talked and then…
…walked into this room for another 15 minutes. If you’re heading to Dublin, I think you can skip this stop.
After all of that activity, Miss Madeley needed a power nap.
And then she kept sleeping as we made our way to dinner. Friends! We ate at the BEST little restaurant!! It was TINY! I counted and there were only 10 tables in the whole restaurant while we were there. Everyone was eating on top of each other and the kitchen was like RIGHT THERE, but it was so fun!!
Some dominoes at dinner.
We loved you Il Vicoletto! The Italian food was excellent and the atmosphere one of a kind!
Happy girls after a great second day in Dublin!!
Whew! Don’t forget, if you missed the other parts, you can see them here:
Part One: Edinburgh
Part Two: St. Andrews
Part Three: Edinburgh and our flight to Dublin
Part Four: Dublin Day 1
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!! Sending you love from my house to yours!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Gosh, you have me itching to travel with every post of your trip! The Viking hats for the tour are so cute. 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Elspeth Mizner says
What a fun day! Great idea to take your kids to a park to burn off energy
Kelly says
These are so fun! Thanks for sharing fun stories and pics of your sweet family. Random question- I remember you saying previously that your kids “split off” sometimes into groups, and it was usually Kensington and Madeley, and Smith and Ashby. Has that changed? Seems like Kensington and Ashby are together a lot! Just love your sweet kiddos!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s funny, but now, they rotate around quite a bit. K&S and then A&M or S&M and K&A…they change it up 🙂 .
Meagan Ruse says
It looks absolutely gorgeous there! The parks look exactly how I pictured them! What a fun trip!!
Narci Dreffs says
Oh gosh! How fun was that Viking tour?? Y’all look you had a blast!! I am loving all these trip recaps!
Sheaffer Sims says
Love everybody in the Viking hats! And St. Patrick’s was absolutely gorgeous. WOW.
Erika Slaughter says
Okay, I was doing fine living vicariously through your recaps but this post might have put me over the edge! Loving these recaps!
Ave Perry says
Need details on the Chicco stroller!!! ???
Mix and Match Mama says
Just a basic one from Target! It’s super light! We love it!
Meghan says
Would you recommend that Chicco stroller for travel? We are looking for a lightweight one for an upcoming trip.
Mix and Match Mama says
I would! It’s so light and easy to fold!
Brooke Richardson says
The pic of Madeley sleeping on smith is my fav!!!!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
The Viking tour looked like so much fun for the kids! I have been on vacation so I can’t wait to go back and read all your recaps! Happy Friday 🙂
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Betsy says
It’s funny, we travel a lot and I find that people either love Dublin or hate it. Very few sit in the middle ground that is was good/ok. Happy you guys are in the love it camp.
Personally, Ireland outside the bigger cities is definitely our preference–getting off the main motorways to enjoy the gorgeous coastline, the sheep-dotted hills covered in every shade of green, the castle ruins, the quaint small colorful towns, the friendliest, most helpful people. Dublin is more like a normal big city and isn’t as quaint as many European cities. I strongly suggest your readers to really research the country before visiting to figure out where they would be happiest to focus their time. There is just so much to see and, it always seems, so little time.
Mix and Match Mama says
Headed to the coast next post, Betsy! It was spectacular!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Love so much about this!! Ashby and Kensington with their noses plugged, Andrew in that Vikings hat, Smith’s face with his ice cream or Madeley’s little belly!! So cute! The cathedral was gorgeous!! Can’t wait to see pics from your next stop!
That Inspired Chick
Emily says
Loving all these travel posts!
Random question: My curling iron just broke. Since you have a few of the T3 wands and had some time with them, which wand would you recommend the most? Which one is the easiest/fastest for beach wave curls? (I have about the same length hair as you. I’m not an expert with a wand, but I am sure I could learn.)
Mix and Match Mama says
The 1″ barrel without the clip!! That one is my favorite! It’s very versatile!
Emily says
Thank you, thank you!
DANIELLE K RIGG says
LOVE the pictures of your sweet kids holding each other, it captures their true love for each other. Those are the pictures to cherish. I see Kensington has a new band for her Vivofit Jr. Was it hard to change it? Where did you get the teal one. That is my daughters favorite color and everything needs to be teal.
Erin Port says
Love following along on your trip 🙂 We have never been to Ireland!
Angela Cooper says
I love reading all your posts and you are always so thorough with travel details. And your family is just precious and seem oh so sweet! But in your travels, where do you find public bathrooms? All the food stops and ice cream/dessert stops always lead me back to that same question. Do you find public bathrooms easily accessible? I know weird topic but with so many little ones, you must be constantly searching for bathrooms.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ha! That’s such a good question! On this trip, they weren’t hard to find. Every museum had one, the restaurants, of course, did. We stopped when we saw them (even if people said they didn’t need to…). It was much easier this year than ever before because everyone can “hold it” like a champ (unlike when you’re first potty training them…).
Keisha Dawson says
Loving these posts about your trip. I’ve totally convinced my husband that we need to take this trip in two years! I’m so pumped!
Emily says
Seriously…the ice cream. Sign me up! You must have a separate budget just for these treats. ?? Can’t wait until I don’t have to be dairy free anymore for baby (maybe that’s why I’m so obsessed with all the ice cream ?♀️).
Emily says
Oh and you should go to New Zealand and Australia sometime…when my husband went before we were married they served ice cream with your waffles for breakfast!!
Sara M says
Your babies seem so well behaved! So inspiring that you guys are making them so cultured! Love these posts!! Are you shopping the nsale?! Always look forward to seeing what you bought
Karen Martin says
Enjoying your pictures so much but I am laughing! The Shulls can now write a book or something about licking your way around the world at the best Ice Cream shops!!! I want to travel with your family since Ice Cream is one of my favorites. Looking forward to seeing more pictures.
Amanda Jones says
I am loving all of your pictures of your sweet family! My dad is a taxidermist and has been doing that since he was 16 years old. So, your taxidermy comment made me chuckle. Since I grew up around all of that, I forget that it does seem weird to most people. Ha! Have a great weekend!
Jennifer says
I love reading all of your travel posts!!! Question- we are thinking of taking our family (2 boys, 12 and 9) to Europe for the first time in April and are wondering if it’s worth it spring for first class for such a long flight with kids. My husband thinks it’s a must and I’m thinking coach could work. Thoughts!?
Mix and Match Mama says
We fly coach with the kids on these trips. It saves so much money that I would rather put towards the actual vacation.
Chelsey says
Hi Jennifer! On international flights, coach isn’t bad AT ALL! I have flown coach, business class, and first class and on AA in particular – there isn’t MUCH difference – except for like the nice “bed” in first class. Business Class and Coach are essentially the same – only different is BC has a foot rest and a tiny bit more room and more freebies than just a pillow/blanket/earbuds. But you get your own TV with tons of free movies and shows, you get the same choices for all your meals and drinks etc. And if the flight isn’t full then you can probably get a row to yourself! Tell your hubby to save some money 🙂
Katelyn says
Have you ever gone on the duck boat tour in Boston? They’re the best!
Angela Ellingson says
I love your honest reviews. So helpful! The Vikings tour sounds like so much fun! And you Shulls know how to do ice cream right! 😉
Mary Jane McNeill says
I can’t wait for your coast recap! (crossing fingers for Cliffs of Moher!) Don’t you love how everything is sooooo green?? I’ve told my husband when he retires that I want to sell everything (except my horses) and move to Ireland! (But then I’ve also said that about Mackinac Island, Alaska, and Israel!) 🙂
Amber says
When you are playing cards or dominoes at meals or out and about, do you bring those along with you? Or do you happen to find them at restaurants? I’m curious because it doesn’t look like you carry a lot of stuff! ?
Mix and Match Mama says
We bring them! We throw them in the bottom of the stroller. When Madeley can walk without a stroller…we’re going to need a new system 😉 .
Wendy says
Always love your travel posts! I have an 8 and 2 yr old. We will be traveling a lot this fall and anticipating I will get sooo stressed when we are in different time zones and the baby naps and it isn’t “time to nap”. I’m just so scared he won’t sleep that night and we will all be up in that hotel room. Any suggestions!?!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think if the baby naps at odd times, then I wouldn’t worry about putting them down for an “official” nap later on. This way, the baby won’t be too rested for sleep that night. Madeley is a big napper, but never napped on this vacation (just intermittently as we went about our day).
Moria Cox says
Hi! I’m going back and reading all of your travel posts again-they are so good and sooo helpful! What do you do about straightening/curling irons on your Europe trips? Our hotels have hairdryers, so I’m set there. But not sure what to do about the flat iron…and definitely can’t go without! Do you bring it with an adapter or something so it will work? Or buy one there?
Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I bring my curling wand and use the voltage adapter!
CK says
Can you link what voltage adapter you use for your curling wand? Seeing so many conflicting answers on products on Amazon and don’t want to burn out my curling wand in the UK/Europe next month. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Let me see if I can find it! It’s a universal one (so it rotates to fit different countries).
Megan Manion says
Have you ever thought about making a packing list for Ireland/scotland? We are going in September and I am puzzled in what to pack.
Mix and Match Mama says
Good idea, Megan!!