Happy Birthday Moira!!!

Moira turned 16 last Saturday! We had a nice celebration with Grandma and Grandpa D, Uncle Pat, Kelley, Kelly and the cousins.

We kicked off our fun day with an Irish dancing performance at the Big Event For Little Kids. Aunt Joan, Cousin Danny and his friend Amy were there. It was so nice to see them again. While I couldn't get the cameras to work during the girls' performance (my camera was out of batteries. And it would have been very helpful to know how to turn Moira's camera ON :), we did get some picture of the little kids after the event.


Aidan helped push Erin around in her stroller.

Here's Mike talking to his Grandma D, wishing she was there....
Teresa after her dance performance.

Erin had just woken up from her nap and was greeted by a friendly clown.
Aidan and Molly Grace had lots of fun!

Uncle Pat checking out the little kids on the big rigs!

And now for the birthday girl! We had a little celebration when we got home. Moira, you have brought us countless blessings over the past 16 years! You are a wonderful daughter! We love you!!!

Check out all that smoke from 16 candles!

The cake was great but the green frosting stained eveything we touched, and teeth!

Then came the presents, and lots of them. Grandma and Grandpa D had not seen us since before their trip to Austria, so they had presents from their trip as well as birthday presents. Here are two adorable Austrian dresses they brought back for Molly Grace and Margaret. Teresa also has one but didn't make it in the pictures.

When it was Erin's turn to open her birthday present, she came cautiously into the room, not sure what all the attention was about...

How fun! Erin loves her bunny who sings, dances and flops its ears!

How many big kids can fit into a flower shop tent? Lots!

Dear Godparents...

I just love my portable, pop-up flower shop you sent to me! I have been having so much fun with it! I like to go in and out of the door (and sometimes the window!). I take my babies and stuffed animals in there. And I like to pretend I'm sleeping in my little house. Thank you for sending me this gift and for loving me so much! I love you both too! Love, Erin

Life Has Been Busy!

It has been almost two weeks since we updated the blog! Life has been busy as usual. We have been busy with finishing up our fourth quarter of school before June, dentist appointments, painting rooms and just crazy daily life! We are getting close to finishing school, which is always as exciting for the teacher as it is for the kids! Moira will most likely have to do some geometry in June, and Eileen some history, but other than that we should be done with everything by the end of May. I will try to post some of the kids' lovely creations they have done this school year in the next month.

Here are some pictures the kids took lately...


Aidan has been trying to fly. I think he has come pretty far in his achievements, don't you? He also had a good dental check-up yesterday (no cavities!). However, when I asked him on the ride home how it went with the dentist, he said, "They said I need to do better". Hmmmm, perhaps he fessed up to not always brushing twice a day. At least he's honest. Now, just don't knock those teeth out while trying to fly!



Little Happy has been developing some spunk (I won't post the picture of her standing on the dining room table). She is learning so many new things lately...new words, new signs, new abilities to climb onto everything, and did I mention spunk? Yes, she is letting us know what she likes and dislikes, which is all good. Typical two year old behavior. But I have to say, she is so sweet and smiley most of the time...a complete joy! Here she is sporting her new piggy tails :)

And here she is eating her new favorite food...pretzels. Anyone know the sign for pretzel? She had used her cracker sign (signing cracker about 200 times a day...she's got that one down!), but I know there must be a sign for pretzel!


Once a year, Mike goes on retreat. This year, while he was away for the weekend, we decided to paint the family room. Eileen, Moira and I took turns painting and got it done in two days. Afterwards, Molly Grace said, "I guess you don't want us to color on the walls anymore??" Ah, you got that right, five year old! And you're just now figuring this out? LOL. Oh dear. I have so much job security being a mom of soon-to-be eight! There's always room for improvement!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st is the designated day that the world celebrates those with Down syndrome. It is on this day, 3/21, because of the three chromosomes (rather than the typical two) on the 21st spot. This is why Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21. Happy Down Syndrome Day :)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Saint Paddy's Day is always celebrated, at least in some way, here in our home. This year we sampled oatmeal pancakes (ok,they mostly got a "yuck" response) and took a break from our Lenten fast on sweets, and had some cookies in honor of Saint Patrick. Regardless of how we celebrate, we are always very busy on March 17th, with four Irish dancers in the family. This year the older three girls performed at a local St. Patrick's Day dinner, which is one of their favorite performances. The lighting was very poor, so I was only able to get a couple pictures after the show.

Bridget, Cousin Colleen (holding Erin), Moira and Eileen...




I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
his baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
his coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
the Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!
~ Breastplate of Saint Patrick

Spotted in the Front Yard!

We have enjoyed the majority of our record breaking snow fall this year, but honestly, we are very ready for spring! The kids had great excitement over this discovery last weekend...




We had our first 60 degree day this week and the kids waisted no time gathering up the bubbles, sidewalk chalk, scooters and bikes!

Gaelic Storm!!!

On Thursday night, the Celtic band, Gaelic Storm, played at our local performing arts center to a very energetic crowd. They are a local favorite and easily sell-out whenever they play here. This year was super exciting for us because Moira, and three of her friends from our local Irish dance academy, were asked to dance during the show! She was so thrilled to have that experience! Moira has been Irish dancing since she was in kindergarten, and has had many fun performances over the years. This one, however, was her favorite to date, since she is quite a fan of Geltic Storm!

The four girls choreographed and rehearsed two dances. They did this all on their own, outside of class time. Of course their instructor cheered them on and gave them pointers. In the end, they were asked to dance a hard shoe dance, a treble reel, to the song Beggarman. Dancing to live music can be tricky, but they did a great job! Moira said the tempo was just a little bit faster than on the CD, but that was fine, as she said it is actually easier to speed up than it is to slow down.

A bit about their attire, cause so many people often ask...In the video, the girls are each wearing what are called "solo" dresses in the world of Irish dance. Most are made in Ireland and there are no two alike in the whole world. Each is a unique set of colors and patterns. You can buy these dresses new or used. It is traditional for Irish dancers to wear their hair in tight springy curls. You can either curl your own hair (which actually looks great!) or wear a wig. Most all girls now wear wigs because it is soooo much easier, as you can imagine. (With four girls' heads to curl, at 1.5 hours a piece, you can imagine that I could spend all day curling hair!! I say, thank goodness for wigs!). And just how do they get their poodle socks to stay up when their feet are moving so fast? Glue. Yes, they actually glue their socks to their legs. They make a special dancer's glue, but we have found regular ol' Elmers to work just as well. And last, there are two types of shoes that Irish dancers wear: gillies (soft shoes) or hard shoes. In this particular dance that the girls performed they are wearing their hard shoes, which add to the sound and the rhythm of the music.

With Mike and two kids still sick from the flu, we were not able to attend the show. But Eileen, Bridget and cousins Owen, Emmett, and Colleen were there representing our family. Below are some pictures that were taken backstage of the girls and the band. The video of their performance was taken by Bridget from the top section of the theatre, so it's as good as we could get. She did a great job, considering the location of where they were sitting.

The band...

The dancers, Caroline, Moira, Sydney and Maureen, getting ready....wigs on, stage make-up on and just anxious to dance...

Lead singer and "Favre Fan", Patrick Murphy....now Moira likes him even more! They were able to do some Favre talkin'! Another back stage shot. From left: Caroline, Steve, Maureen, Patrick, Moira, Sydney, Ryan, Jessie and Pete

And after the show, Eileen, Bridget and cousins were able to also go back stage to meet the band! Here are Owen, Bridget, Colleen, Emmett, Eileen and Moira...



And here is Bridget's taping of the girls' performance. The beginning is a clip of the girls saying if they are nervous (Moira is the one who says she is not nervous..she certainly does not take after her mother!), then Moira is the third one on the stage for the dance, in the bright pink and green dress, and I believe the first one off stage...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is our busy time of year. We have lots more performances, so stay tuned for many more pictures of all the girls!! Also, we are suppose to get some better pics of Gaelic Storm, and when we do, I'll post them :)

Someone asked me...

... if we were giving up blogging for Lent. Well, not exactly, although we are cutting back on our computer use significantly. The real reason for not posting since Erin's birthday can be pretty well summed up by this photo that we took of the little table next to our bed.



We have been hit hard with a flu bug that lasts up to two weeks in adults. Thankfully, the little kids are bouncing back much quicker. It does seem that we have had somebody sick with something since February. I just cannot wait to open up all the windows this spring!!

We are on the mend, finally. Moira was hit the hardest. Mike went to work today, even though he is still feeling pretty down. Although Erin was the lucky one and was only feverish for 12 hours, she has just today started up with fever again. If you think of it, say a little prayer that my sweet Erin doesn't get worse. I always worry a little extra with her (probably because of her heart condition that was so beautifully repaired when she was 6 months old. But still...once a heart baby, always a heart baby :). Thank you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Erin!!!

What an amazing two years it has been since God blessed us with our sweet Erin! We had a great day celebrating with present and pink cake. Here are a lot (and lots and lots) of photos highlighting our day. We love you Erin. Thank you for teaching us so much and bringing us all such joy.


We got ready for church this morning...

...And took some pictures outside before getting in the car. Erin hit the down slope on the driveway and thought that was so cool that she could go so fast down the hill. We could have spent all morning just going up and down the driveway!



After church it was time to open some presents. A new scooter!
This ball popper toy was a big hit. The air blows the balls out the top.





Erin thought that was hilarious!Teresa and Molly Grace picked out a new shiny purse and matching shoes for Erin.
We cannot have too many phones in this house. And if she cannot find a real or pretend phone, there's always the remote.

Time for cake!

I put this picture in because it looks like she is about to blow out the candles...but actually, she is singing Happy Birthday LOL. She doesn't know how to blow out candles yet.


That was fun. We had to sing Happy Birthday one more time just so Erin could clap again.This is as close as Erin came to eating her cake. She poked it a little, took off a few sprinkles, but she never actually attemped a bite! She is the first child in this family to turn down a piece of cake. Doesn't she know it's a Sunday of Lent??!! The other kids, who have given up sweets for Lent, except Sundays, didn't leave any spare cupcakes :).