Music To My Ears

Erin has always been facsinated by the piano. She used to reach her little fingers waaay up high and play the keys without even being able to see what she was doing. Well, finally freedom! She can now of course climb up and sit on the bench. We find her here quite frequently!

An Early Easter Egg Hunt

On Holy Saturday our neighborhood association hosts an Easter egg hunt at our local park. Even though it's a bit early for those kids who have given up sweets for Lent, the little kids like to go and have lots of fun. They save the candy for the next morning, Easter morning, to eat along with the Easter candy that arrives at the house. A double dose of sweets in celebration of our Lord's resurrection. It is all worth the wait!

This year Grandma and Grandpa M were here with us. Here's Grandma helping Molly Grace.



Grandma helping wee little Erin whose basket was as big as her...




This year, for the first time, there was also a ducky race down the creek. Aidan's duck came in fourth place, just shy of a prize!

Mr. Barred Owl

We gladly welcomed the first spotting of "our" Barred Owl this month! Each spring we spot him, usually very close to the house. While these owls do not migrate, for some reason, we never see it in the winter. On occasion, we also hear the vocals of the owl. It is recognized by the "who-who-who-cooks for you?" sound. It is most often visible in the early morning or late afternoon. The kids took this picture (sorry poor quality) a couple weeks ago.

Here is a better picture of the Barred Owl that we found online...

Stations of the Cross

I've been quite the blog slacker lately! I'll make up by posting several new post today, with lots of pictures showing what we've been up to!

During Lent, Teresa, Bridget, Eileen and Moira worked on making our own Stations of the Cross. They turned out beautifully!

The frames were made out of popsicle sticks. Here is Teresa gluing the frames together...






Each station required the image to be cut out three times, for a 3-D effect

Here is a picture of the completed Station VI. They really did look great. We displayed them in our windows on Good Friday.

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!