Erin had a few girls over to celebrate her last year in single digits. That thought is only slightly less scarey than the thought that she is nine now and in just as many more years she will be 18. Can someone put in my request to slow time, it really is going far too quickly.

Erin is becoming quite the busy young lady. Between ballet, recorder and Tae Kwon Do, not to metion after school dances and book signings, she has quite the social calendar. She did make time toi build a mini snowman on a lovely Irish spring day.

Birthday
gadget
from Tullamore
Balloon Fest.

Erin started her second year at St. Raphaela's on September 1st, this year with little brother, Andrew in tow. She also celebrated her 8th birthday with a sleepover with her buddies Francesca and Isabel!

Our little girl is growing up so fast. This is one of her dress-up wedding photos. And earlier this fall she carved her very first pumpkin all on her own.

Erin started at a new school this September. She is now in 2nd class at St. Rapheala's Primary School. This is by far the best school we have encountered in Ireland. She is doing very well since she skipped 1st class. She has made a load of new friends. This will be her first full year at the same school, we are all excited about the consistancy.

Erin finished off the summer with a week at Samba Soccer. She had a great time running around after the ball. She said she even made a few goals as well as a few friends.

Saturday we celebrated Erin's seventh birthday with her friends at the Stillorgan Leisureplex. Most were on their summer holidays, but we managed to wrangle most of the neighborhood kids. It was great, I didn't have to bring anything, and all we left with was presents. Most importantly, there was no clean up!

Erin is now a pro at loosing her teeth, as you can see, she is quite the snaggle puss. Thankfully Dave made it home from Germany just in time to see her as a curly sheep in her school play about Noah's ark. Mid June Erin finished off her ballet term with a big performance at a local theatre. She did two dances, Jungle Book and Bluebells. It was a full day of rehersal and recital, but we managed through. She was worn out by the end, saying she never wanted to do it again. I am sure her mind will change when school starts again and will be back in the dressing room before long.

It has been an exciting time for Erin recently. While in Dallas she lost her first tooth. She had had four loose for what seemed like an eternity and finally one decided it was time. We did have to leave a note for the Tooth Fairy, to make sure she made payment in Euro. Good thing the Tooth Fairy is international!

Check out Erin on her new bike. She was so excited to get it for her birthday. It took a few orders from the local shop...working on Irish time, of course. She had it for about a month with "stabalizers" - our training wheels. After we returned from the States, it was time to give it a go on her own. Well done I would say!