Erin - Exotropia

Erin has been seeing an eye doctor since birth for exotropia, which means her right eye turns out.  Many people do not notice it because her eye only turns out on occation, and when it does, she quickly straightens it by looking at something up close or in a new direction. Depending on how often it happens, treatment varies.  Eventually, it is very likely that she'll need surgury so that her vision remains uneffected by this condition.  Right now, it is not effecting her vision.  The decision to do surgery is made when the eye is turned out for more than 50% of the time.   It is still not happening that often, but the frequencey is increasing so we are trying some eye patching to either slow down the frequency or, in rare cases, fix it all together.  When her "good eye" is patched, in theory, it will strengthen her weak eye.  Let's hope!

As you can imagine, eye patching is difficult with little ones because they only want to rip the thing off!  To our suprise, Erin has been very good with the patching!  We tell her not to touch and then we distract her.  Outside play is the best distraction of all...she loves being outside.  She needs to wear the patch for two hours per day and she has done beautifully so far!

As you can see, three year old princesses can even make an eye patch look cute :)

Seamus joins the fun...

Seamus on the Mend

We have had a sickness go through the family which we all bounced back from quickly....all except Seamus.  He developed a bad cough and was a tired little guy. 

At the same time, Seamus got some weird bug bites, which we didn't think much of, other than we didn't think they were from a mosquito. They blistered then scabbed.  A week or so after the bug bites he develped a high fever.  The doctor diagnosed him with pneumonia (thankfully it was not too bad) which most likely developed from the sickness we all had.  Additionally, the doc thought he had a virus which came from the bug bites.  Poor little guy was quite sick for two or three days before the meds kicked in and his fever came down.  Yesterday he was almost back to himself...


.......which means he is back to his favorite hiding place.

OK, Bridget, I Get the Hint...

Bridget loves to read and goes through books quicker than we can keep up.  Here is what I found in my inbox today...

My Dearest Mum,

You must want me to get the most proper education I can receive. One of the most important ways I can get that, is to read. I would be delighted to get a proper education. So I would be delighted to read. But the problem is: I don't have any books. I would be delighted to get some books at the library, but it's simply too long to walk, and I certainly cannot drive any vehicle under any circumstances, unless it's a bumper car at Bay Beach. So I would be delighted if you would drive me to the library on Monday, the 12th of July, 2010, precisely anytime after 12:00 pm. This is the only way, my Dear Mum, that I can receive the most proper education. So I beg of you to take me to the wonderful place called the library. Until then, I shall weep to my heart's content, (whatever that means) and wait until my lovely books have arrived in my loving arms.


Thank you, my dearest, and only, Mum.


Yours until death, (which I feel may be coming very soon if I do not get my hands on a book),


~Bridget~

The Ten Commandments

I thought I'd post some of Teresa's hard work before filing it away for the year.

The Ten Commandments - By God

Retold  and Illustrated by Teresa

Finally....A Day Without Rain!

Not that it stopped them from playing outside....

Seamus at 13 Months

Saint Mary's Parish Picnic {Irish Dance}

The girls did a little Irish dance performance at a parish picnic in a charming little WI town, that I cannot remember the name of :)  It was the second year in a row at Saint Mary's.  Our four girls, cousin Colleen and another family with five Irish dancers, came together to do several dances. 
Here are Bridget, Moira and Eileen all waiting to begin their part of the dance.  Teresa began the dance with a little solo...

 Here's Teresa, wearing her long, old, frazzled wig for the last time (It was originally worn by Moira and it is time for her to get her own wig.  It actually doesn't look nearly as bad in this picture as it does in real life).  But she looks darling with or without the rat-nest wig LOL.

The whole gang.  From left: Keelin, Katilin, Colleen, Keona, Teresa, Bridget, Keira, Moira and Eileen

The after perfomance group shot with Seamus and Kaelisa

Happy Birthday Teresa!!!

Teresa turned 11 years old yesterday, June 25th.  Isn't it great that she has her birthday on Jesus' half birthday?!  We always remember on Teresa's birthday that we have exactly six months until Christmas.

Teresa, you are such a joy to our family!  We love how you always make us smile with your bright personality.  God has blessed you so much.  We love you dearly!  Happy Birthday!!!


Teresa wanted to make her own cake for her birthday...so she did!  Here is her strawberry cheesecake.  The two little candles that make her eleven are kind of pathetic, but it's all we had to work with.  I always forget to buy the candles we need!

Smile for the camera!

Erin just learned how to blow out candles and Teresa was so kind to let her give it a try.  Here she is waiting...

Birthday parties are so much fun!

Here's Teresa giving Erin a lesson on how to blow out candles...

And just because we need more cuteness in this post, here's little Seamus who thinks birthday parties are pretty awesome too...

Fun in the Sun!

I Have a Voice!

Beautiful photography.  Beautiful children.  Beautiful message.