capitol

Over holiday break, we took the kids "home" to see the grandparents. Mr. Hawthorne and I both grew up in Olympia. Many a nights, my teeny bopper friends and I would hang around the Capitol building being goofy because that's what all the cool misfits did. Not! Actually, there's not a whole lot teenagers can do around the old stomping ground without getting into trouble. And, getting into trouble wasn't really on my agenda probably because I was so not cool. So when the mall was closed, and the high school dance was over, and we had our fill of french fries and milkshakes, we would walk around under the lights of the government buildings.

Anyway, when you live near landmarks or great locations, you sort of take it all for granted. I would often forget that I lived so close to the capitol of the state I lived in and really wouldn't give it a second thought. The novelty wears off. At least, that's what I imagine people who live near Disneyland do.

Now that I don't drive by the site on a daily basis, my appreciation has grown. So on our way into town before Christmas, we stopped and took in the sites.  

planning

Party season is upon us here at little irish headquarters. It's hard to believe but Miss Petite is going to be five in just two short months. 5!!! It's total crazy talk! I really haven't wrapped my brain around the whole idea of this pending milestone until recently when word of kindergarten registration came down the pike. Gulp!

Oh yes, it's true, signs of this have come into view ..... slowly. Like for example, we no longer have a car full of infant carriers and heavy duty car seats in the rear view mirror. Gone are the days of diapers and bottles and cribs and toddler beds and wet wipes and formula mixes and finger foods and pacifiers. Blues Clues and Dora very rarely visit our living room. Nothing is baby proofed. The gate on the stairs is to keep the dogs, not kids, out of the top level of the house. And, most recently, I realized, we officially grew out of 'months' and 'toddler' sizes. I now pass that little kid/baby section completely and head straight to the big kids where I can find sizes from 4 to 14. Streamline my shopping experience? Yes. Makes me a tad sentimental for all that baby love? Yeah, kinda. It's bittersweet on so many levels.

But, now, with this pending birthday so close, it's all really come into focus for me. The aging of my wee family and how childhood is so fleeting. Sigh.

But wait. I'm not sad, although, I realize this post is teetering there. You might be wondering where I'm going with this. Just had a lapse of direction there for a minute. Ok, ok, I'm getting to the point. The point. Yes, the point is that birthdays are cause for celebration. And celebration we do!

I've been collecting Raggedy Ann and Andy items for Petite Artiste's shin dig since her last party. My inspiration really comes from One Charming Party. I love the colors most of all. I think that is what really drew me in. The Party Dress has the same color scheme, just with a different theme. I love the red, white and aqua colors together. It's just so darn cheerful! Inspiration can be taken from both parties. I'm a visual peep. If I can see the big picture first, I am able to soak up all the little details. And, I love these two parties. Major swooning happening here.

leavenworth

Before Christmas (and before little irish sick house of 2010) we took a day trip to Leavenworth WA. I wanted something that would jolt us into the holiday spirit and what better to do that than this adorable
Bavarian town. This little city really packs it all in! Christmas spirit overload. Always, our main two stops are the Gingerbread Factory and the Nutcracker museum. Check! Then, we seem to make our way to the awesome toy shoppe and the Kris Kringle store as well. This trip, we enjoyed playing in the snow for a couple very cold hours and seeing the sites for the day.  

FEATURED: Adventures with The Sage

Over holiday break, I received a little note in the little irish email inbox from Andee from Majestic Mountain Sage. She asked if she could guest post my Eclipse party on Adventures With The Sage. I was thrilled of course. I had purchased the Twilight scented oils and lotion/lip balm kits for the big movie shin dig. We had so much fun and the scents and kits were perfect. Andee and the MMS crew are delightful and their products are just the best!! Thank you Majestic Mountain Sage!!

block

What started out as a little holiday break and then a house full of sick people break, turned into blogger block. Big time! I kept coming here, my wee spot, my last three letters staring back at me, and I would go blank. I had nothing but I had millions to go on about all the same time. I kept thinking I could post about Christmas, or how we all got sick, or post pictures of our trip to Leavenworth WA, or brag about my guest post (more on that later), or continue on with my "Letters" series.....but I would get here and nada, zip, zero! Something would sidetrack me, or I just wouldn't have the energy to write anything down. Lazy, I know.

Today, I decided to just get on with it. Rip it off like a bandaid. I knew as soon as I posted something I would get my mojo back. So here I am. Putting the kabosh on this blogger block!

To recap:

Christmas break was good. We played in the snow and took a trip. We went simple and low key. And, it was enjoyable.

Then we all got sick. And, not the same sick. One would be throwing up, while another would be coughing. It was a modge podge of illness I tell ya. The last week of vacation we spent cooped up in the house watching movies and chillaxing. Aside from not feeling well, it was nice.

Then the kids and Mr. Hawthorne went back to school and work. And, I was left with a touch of the nesting bug. I have been going through the house one project at a time decluttering and organizing. I've been weeding out all the toys and clothes and unused whatnots from my living environment. Which means, I leave a trail of piles in my wake. I plan to have a bang up garage sale this Spring so in my frazzled mess making, there is a plan. It's true though....the more you let you, the more you toss, the more you give away....the lighter you feel. Stuff weighs you down. And if there is one thing I don't need, it's more weight!

So there you go. What was blog silence, will most likely turn into post overload. I've got some catching up to do and pictures to share and stuff to chat about. Be prepared.

letters: dear miss divine

Dark chocolate colored hair. Dimples. Big, brown, almond shaped eyes. Full lips. All qualities that are noted as traits of beauty. But what is most beautiful about you, my tender-hearted girl, is how humble and innocent you are. You are one of the sweetest people I know and my world is simply more magical because you are in it.

And, magical you are. You have a way about you that is gracefully clumsy. Those long limbs of yours seem to cause you more hindrance than help. You are never without a bruise or two and you often remind me of that old idiom about a bull in a china shop. Even your birth was somewhat inept. It looked like your appearance would be a long ways off, and then all the sudden you were flying into the room. The doctor even had to do some fancy footwork and body blocking to make sure you didn't land on the hospital floor. Once you recovered and we all got a look at you, smitten doesn't describe the swooning done in your favor. Your stumbles are sometimes laugh inducing but, your recoveries are pure awesomeness.

You've been spending a good part of time in your bedroom these last few days. Creating and imagining and developing and pretending and drawing. It's enjoyable to see what you come up with. I especially love to watch when you pull your brother and sister into these fantastical worlds you design. I know these are memories they will always remember too. You see, my sweet, you have a certain je ne sais quoi about you that attracts us all. And I thank you for sharing it with me.

Love always!
mom

letters: dear petite artiste

Like your siblings, you needed some coaxing to enter the world. But, unlike your siblings, we didn't wait an additional week to see if you would say "hello" on your own. On the day of your late great grandmother's birthday (which was also the day you were due to arrive) we gave you a push.

You were the smallest and the most alert but also the loudest. This caused the nurses to joke about having to be the loudest being the fifth member of our family. I will say this, however. You have never had trouble getting your voice heard. You've always embodied this huge personality in your little self. You possess a quality of knowing what you want, when you want it. Stubborn I dare say. Besides your birthday, you've never been forced to do things that weren't on your agenda. Like crawling and walking for instance. You had us all concerned about your time frame on these milestones. Your pediatrician had me take you to physical therapy every week because you weren't crawling or walking the month you turned one. You simply enjoyed being sat down in the middle of the room, with toys, dogs, playmates all around you. I believe you were quite keen on having your needs met by us around you that the whole walking thing just didn't register on your to-do list.

At four, your personality and schedule for things all adults deem as important hasn't changed much. And, being the third child, I don't agonize so much over your willingness to memorize math facts. You navigate life in your own beautiful, tactile way that is both inspiring and breathtaking. And, you always seem to prove the adult world wrong which I admire wholeheartedly.

I love you!
mom

letters: dear el fuego

From the minute you were born you have been surprising us kid. From that florescent glow that engulfed your head to your fascination of anything mechanical or computerized or with buttons; like other people's house alarms or the machines of those ginormous blow up obstacle courses at those warehouse bouncy establishments or remote controlled mini-blinds and windows with cranks or refrigerators with ice and water makers on the front door. In other words, you've kept us on our toes from the day you figured out locomotion which, P.S., was right around four months of age for you my little friend when you would roll yourself around from room to room. You are a mover, a can doer, a self-motivator. You. Are. El Fuego!

Today you came off the bus feeling sad and upset. At the ripe ole age of nine, you are finding yourself on the cusp of those tricky pre-teen years. Some really smart person somewhere, coined the phrase "tween" which refers to the ages between 9 and 12. And you, my darling, have embarked the good ship hormones and are navigating those choppy seas. Officially. Although, you might not understand these spikes of emotions that seem to rule your existence right now, I want you to know I do. I fully understand how at times, days seem unbearable. How nothing you do seems right. But, I'm here to tell you everything will be alright. You WILL be alright. And, I love you! Oh man, how I love you!

Your wit catches me off guard where I find myself laughing uncontrollably. Your intelligence makes me proud beyond belief. Your sense of self leaves me in awe. Your charm and confidence makes me smile. You. Are. El Fuego!

I accept every challenge you throw at me my child. I will do everything in my power to make sure that unique essence of yours shines through. I will always, always be standing in your corner even if it feels like I'm being tough on you. It's my job to hold you up and encourage you to fly. Although, you've been an independent soarer since the day I met you. You are, after all, El Fuego!

Love mom

eclipse

First, let me say this....I am NOT a crazy, fanatic, lunatic Twihard that thinks vampires live next door and wolves are keeping watch from my backyard. I never picked a team in fact. Never. But, if I really had to, pick a team that is, I would lay claim to Team Jasper because I do enjoy a southern accent. I will say this however, I think all the Twilight Saga hubbub is downright good, clean fun. I will admit, I have traveled to Forks WA where I found myself on the Volturi tour. And, I did browse around a Dazzled by Twilight store probably way too long. And, I did have mushroom ravioli in Port Angeles WA. So I guess that makes me a fan. I like to giggle at the middle-aged women that swoon in the movie theaters when a certain someone strolls onto the screen and I love, love, love the fact teenagers are reading these books, because after all they are READING!!! That is pretty great if you think about it.

Anyway, now that is out of the way, I was browsing a fave soaping blog and I came across scented oils in you guessed it, Twilight theme. I knew the newest movie from the Twilight saga was coming out on DVD soon, therefore a party theme was hatched. And if you know me, you know I love a good party theme.

Majestic Mountain Sage has great Twilight inspired fragrance oils (which had my house swirling with good smells for the next few days) and super duper kits. I picked out one of the lotion and one of the lip balm kits. They come with everything you need and it's all very easy.

The Sage also has a really great blog. Check it out!

(lotion and fragrance oils)

(lip balm pots)

(swag bags)

(the love triangle)

(spa table)

(Yummy salad and bread table)

(what's your flavor? caged wolf or vampire?)

(or Bella's Blushing Punch perhaps)

My dear friend made our delicious dishes. The food was a hit! Thank you Julie!!

I had such a great time laughing with the great gals that came I completely forgot to pick up my camera. So Julie reenacted the party scene for blogging purposes.

After spa products were made and food was eaten, we settled down to watch the movie. And, when were all pooped from laughing and eating, I sent them on their way with their very own Eclipse tshirt.

Thank you to all the lovely ladies. I had a super time! And, my house is still swirling with the smells of Twilight.

christmas tree 2010

In the spur of the moment this last Sunday, we decided to head up the side of the mountain and scout out our Christmas tree for the season. This holiday has completely snuck right up behind me and I haven't been prepared at all. Rain is looming in the forecast so I rustled up the troops and we wrangled up a tree before they were completely picked over. (People start decorating early around these parts.)

Sometimes last minute plans are the best and this was no exception. We had a great time as everyone was in a good mood. It was late in the afternoon so the tree farm wasn't as crowded. El Fuego cut the tree pretty much all by himself. He was very proud.

Very recently I have really come to the realization how my family of five quietly entered a new phase. We no longer shop in the diaper section. We only have one booster seat in the car. I can take all three kids into a store and not have everyone strapped to something in fear I will lose one. We talk through problems and work together. I don't break out in cold sweats when a tantrum ensues. And we overall seem to have more fun together than we ever have had. It is amazing and I am in awe of my little clan.

happy birthday mr. hawthorne

Mr. Hawthorne's birthday was Monday. He went to work after a week long vacation and we all went back to regular schedules with school and what not. However the special day was not forgotten. The kids and I made a special dinner and sampled the most delish grasshopper cake in honor of Mr. Hawthorne.

I've been super lazy about getting the pictures off my camera and blogging. My apologies. I finally took some action this evening. Upon inspecting the pictures I found this gem which embodies my family in a nutshell.

Yes Miss Divine's laugh is just how it looks; loud and boisterous and oh so contagious. El Fuego is a cut up, always cracking jokes and looking for the funny. And, Petite Artiste is most often found in summer clothes (to my dismay) and cheesing it up for the camera. How I love this kooky bunch!!