With Saint Patrick's Day just on the horizon we are getting ready in all sorts of ways. I dug out the Irish CD's so that Bob and I can embarrass the kids with our singing, thanks to Auntie Ann the entire family is decked out in Irish clothes, and Molly is all ready for the parade and all of her performances around Saint Paddy's Day. One of my favorite Irish songs is "Wild Rover" and in previous years I was able to play it without issue and everyone sang along - without really knowing the words. This was a favorite Assumption Anthem when we all went down to Lietrims on Thursday nights to study but the kids finally figured out the lyrics and were curious as to why this was an "appropriate" song for kids! "I've been a Wild Rover for many a year, And I spent all my money on Whiskey and beer, And now I'm returning with gold in great store, And I never will play the Wild Rover no more." I think we play worse but I couldn't really argue the point - I guess I should take the Irish Bar Songs out of the car for a while! One of the things Miss Marybeth does for fun with the girls is teach them gaelic and give the kids gaelic names - these are all of our kids Gaelic names! Not sure how authentic they were since we were doing it strictly for fun!

The biggest news this week is that Molly got her official Griffith Academy Competition Dress. She will use it for all of her preformances, competitions and her recital this year. SOme of the dance schools have very elaborate dresses - they are incredibly beautiful but often cost in the range of $400 - 800 for the lowest level dresses. Grifith wants everyone to be able to afford competition dresses so they rent or make them at a very low cost to parents and then pass them on to children as they grow out of them. I think they are gorgeous in their simplicity and love that the girls do not wear makeup or wigs until they are much older and more experienced in competition. There is nothing more disturbing than going to the feis and seeing 4 year olds in long curly wigs and hooker make-up!

My beautiful girl in her Griffith Academy dress.

After 3 years at Griffith, Bob and I are thrilled with the dance education and learning experience that Molly is getting. I will never forget the love and compassion that Miss Marybeth showed towards our family when Molly was in her first year of dance and I was going through rough deliveries, surgeries and difficult pregnancies that left Molly a bit weepy and nervous. Later that same year a good friend of ours who also attends the school had a daughter who was diagnosed with Lukemia. Once a week a teacher from Griffith was down at Yale New Haven visiting with her and last year's recital was a benefit for Children's Cancer. It is not often that you find such wonderful people who are also so gifted and talented. Molly has 2 teachers in her Irish class that she loves - Miss Deidre is missing a few weeks to perform on Broadway in Riverdance and Miss Shannon is missing the next 2 weeks to compete in an invitational competition in Dublin - WOW - after three years we have come to know and love the teachers and I just love getting to see their love of dance and how successful and healthy they are as a result of their dance education!

We called Auntie Kara last week because Molly was having very sore ankles after practicing her "rocks"- she was told to keep practicing and Miss Marybeth verified that she has to train her tendons and ankles to stretch and move that way! Molly loves to practice so she was happy!

The cape - Molly loves this part of the dress!

I can't imagine how Bob and I are going to manage it when all four girls want to do Irish Dancing - we thought we needed to save for college but we need to save way before that! And why are we so sure that the girls will all want to do it - because once Molly starts dancing eveyone gets in on the action. When Miss MB asked Ann if she wanted to dance next year she turned to me and said "Bye Bye, Mama - Me going to dance now with Miss Marybeth!" So much for seperation anxiety in that girl! Molly called Auntie Beth when she got her dress to thank her for dance - she can't wait for Auntie Beth to see her beautiful dress!

Once Molly was dressed everyone wanted in on the action so she dressed the other girsl up - just in case you are wondering Ellie was on a date so she was not here for this particular dance party but even without walking she has already gotten the hang of it!

Lizzie looking silly in her yellow tutu!

Silly girls dancing!

Annie actually gets some of the steps now and Auntie Karla was just telling us that Katie loves to copy Abby when she does her dancing too! This family is in trouble with all of these Irish Dancers!

Molly practicing her favorite dance - the Light Jig!

Molly gets annoyed because Annie doesn't keep her hands by her sides to dance!

Bob and I slow dance all the time and anyone who reads the blog knows how the kids like to dance! Looking at this picture just brings it home - how can you not be happy when you are dancing. Lizzie Bug was so excited to be dancing with her sisters and listening to music! None of us are musically gifted but loving it is half the battle so you never know - we may have a few musicians in this family yet!

Peter even got in on the Irish dancing - in his footies no less!

There is one person that has no hope for fame as an Irish dancer - poor Bob tries so hard but no matter how many lessons he gets he still looks goofy dancing!

What is the best part about dance parties at the end of the day? Exhausted babies who want to cuddle.

Bob was in heaven!

I have to give a shout out to my friends in Ireland who constantly send me the most beautiful comments about the blog and the kids. One person asked to remain anonymous but is looking for prayers as they set out on a very intense journey of adopting a child with special needs - in Ireland adopting children is a 4-10 year process and complicated by government regulations! Good Luck A&B - you are in our prayers!

GNM - ILY!