I can't believe how long it has been since I updated this blog! Where is the time going? The kids have all been really sick with that awful cold/virus that has been going around so we made the decision to cancel the twins birthday party and cancel our big trip to Washington, DC. I have to admit that I LOVE being in Washington with Bob and the kids - we always have so much fun and find such awesome things to do. That being said - Molly and Peter have both missed so much school already that I didn't feel like we could responsibly pull them out of school for another full week. 

In September the twins started their very first dance classes. I'm sure all moms are like this (I hope) but there is this part of me that can not stop smiling when I watch them dance. We knew Ellie would love dance class but I was not sure how Lizzie would take to it - the little girls absolutely love dance calss. They smile, hold hands, laugh and dance their little hearts out. We had our first parent observation and Bob and I loved every second of it. Lizzie was so serious while Ellie kept looking over and laughing at us.

The veteran dancers watching their sisters - Molly was so affirming and loving with the littles - I loved hearing her with them.

I just love those sweet little dancing bodies.

Doing "across the floor" with Miss Meghan.

Turns out that Miss Elizabeth is a pretty graceful little monkey

Lizzie is just amazing - she keeps her head up straight and does exactly what they tell her to.

So much fun!

Putting their tap shoes on and getting to work.

I seriously think I could eat these little munchkins up - they are so sweet!

My camera ran out of batteries for Annie's class - big frown! So I went to get more before Molly's class. I'll catch Annie at her Christmas observation class.

Once again, I am sure every mom thinks this about her kid but Molly is simply amazing when it comes to her dance. Every time I see her dance I am shocked by what she has learned and how incredibly beautiful she dances. Her smile makes me want to get out and take dance lessons myself!

Molly is competing in Irish dance now so we got her a new pair of hard shoes (YIKES!) and her very first pair of gillies. One of the things I love about Griffith is that they believe in keeping it simple so the girls can just wear hand me down ballet slippers until they start competing - now that we are headed to a feis(and, yes, WE are headed there) we needed the shoes they require.

I love to watch this kid dance.

I'm posting some video of Molly dancing!

I love this one! 

GNM - ILY! 

Happy 4th Birthday, Elizabeth Mack!

We had a wonderful weekend last weekend, culminating in a small celebration for Lizzie's birthday. We had a family reunion in Maine on Saturday in honor of Uncle Iggy being home so Bob and I decided to make a little trip out of it and stay in a hotel with a pool for Elizabeth's birthday. We had a wonderful time in Maine - we met family we didn't konw we had, had a sing-a-long, swan in the pool a bunch of times, had a wonderful birthday breakfast for Lizzie and got home in time to relax, bake a cake and love on Lizzie!

My Annie Girl ready for the long car ride to Maine.

Our little beauty!

Sassy girl!

Lizzie and Ellie looked adorable in their matching dresses.

Our beautiful girls.

Daddy and his beautiful children.

My boys - so handsome.

We made it to Maine in time for a swim before mass.

The girls were so excited to get to the pool. We had all been in the car for four hours and were more than ready to expend some energy.

We headed over to Saco, Maine for four o'clock mass and a pizza party with the Fitzpatrick side of the family! Sister Anne arranged everything and was in heaven having everyone there.

Molly read the second reading at mass and did a wonderful job!

Auntie Gert and Peter - I love this picture!

The beautiful music of the Fitzpatrick clan.

Uncle Iggy ready to say mass for everyone.

Papa always has his hands full. Lizzie, Ellie and Presley got along great.

Uncle Iggy and Brady.

And, of course, Annie had to get her turn.

I took some pictures of the old photos - my grandfather is the handsome guy on the far left.

The Fitzpatrick family - my Grandmother is the third from the left in the back. I love these old pictures and anything else that reminds me of my grandmother.

Mary McGrath was amazing with the kids - she has the patience of a saint.

Everytime Mary sat still one of my kids climbed into her lap.

We got back to the hotel really late and the kids fell into bed - I couldn't resist a few pictures.

My sweet little angel.

My handsome boy!

Molly Girl!

Good Morning, Birthday Girl!

Yes, we did let the kids eat a leftover box of chocolates for breakfast!

Everyone woke up early to wis Lizzie a happy birthday.

Molly reading everything to Lizzie.

Lizzie got a feather for her hair and lipgloss from her big sister.

Our birthday princess was very excited that she got a doll house for her birthday.

The girls loving the new dollhouse.

Our five gorgeous children.

Coloring in the new coloring books.

Ready for the pool again!

Sisters!

Molly jumping in to the pool.

The kids loved the jacuzzi.

Annie loved swimming - we must have stayed in the pool for four hours on Sunday.

Ellie loved the bubbles in the jacuzzi.

Our beautiful birthday girl - she loved that she woke up and got to swim.

My little fish.

Peter wants a hot tub at our house.

Peter and the birthday girl.

Lizzie Bug

Ellie was so excited to show us how she could go under water.

Our little freckle face.

Daddy and his girls.

daddy getting all the loving.

The littles snuggling with daddy in the jacuzzi.

The big kids!

We hopped in the car after lunch and another swim and made it home in time for a few visitors to celebrate Lizzie's birthday.

Lizzie with her siblings turning four.

Lizzie is the only one of my children that loves when I make her cakes rather than get her an ice cream cake.

Blowing out the candles.

The birthday girl had a great day. She loved her presents, loved having the people she loves come over to see her, loved telling everyone it was her birthday all day and loved being four - finally.

Cake time.

Annie with frosting on her nose.

Ellie with frosting everywhere.

Auntie Eileen with her hands full.

Kk holding Lizzie like she did on the day she was born.

Bob and I with our little Lizzie Bug - we could not have been happier.

Our precious girl at only five days old.

All in all Lizzie had a great birthday and we loved celebrating her and the day she was born. We are so proud of the little person Lizzie is turning in to and could not imagine life without her.

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth - we are so happy that you were born!

GNM - ILY!