topsy turvy

Does anyone remember the hugely successful invention of the nineties called the Tospy Tail?? A woman named Tomima Edmark created it and marketed it by herself. Then she went on to earn $150 million in revenues. She now has a blog aptly named Tomima's Blog where she helps women close the gap in finding the perfect lingerie. You got to love the internet!!

I had completely forgotten about this phenomenon that I think my mom and I bought off TV or at the "As Seen On TV" sections of JC Penneys. I don't even remember using it all that much. The kids spent the weekend at Camp Grandma last week and Miss Divine came home with little gadget. My recollection was instantly jogged and we have been using it ever since.

I thought it would be fun to take you on a little tutorial of this fascinating exploration of fun little girl hair styles.

I give you The Topsy Tail!

Start with a nicely brushed head of hair

Pull into a loose pony tail

Insert Topsy Tail behind hair band

Pull end of pony tail through the loop of the Topsy Tail

Pull end of Topsy Tail with the end of the pony tail through the separated hair the Topsy Tail creates

Ta-Da! Pull pony tail tight and stand back to admire

Can be done on any age and all kinds of hair

mad science

You don't have to be Einstein to figure it out.

Fun is what science is all about!

Did you know I get the most hits (almost daily) on this little blog about a very home-made and super easy Strawberry Shortcake Centerpiece I created for Petite Artiste's third birthday party. Who knew something like that would bring the most traffic to Little Irish.

If you know me at all, you would know I tend to go a little hog-wild over my children's birthday parties. I love everything about them from planning the theme and creating the invites to decorating the house and putting together goody bags. And, every year I only get three chances to create and celebrate. Oh, don't get my wrong, I have a had few duds but I learn from what didn't work and try different ideas. For us, good old fashion backyard parties have always worked the best. Luckily, we have have spring/summer birthdays in these parts so letting kids run around and be outside is perfect. I've tired a few "pre-planned" places (although I've managed to avoid the bouncy house thus far) and they have never turned out that great. We celebrated at the museum one year but it was too far to drive and a little too boring I thought. We had a cooking party one year too but the "teacher" didn't let the kids do anything but watch her so I left very disappointed. Plus, when these places charge by the kid, it can get pretty darn spendy. So our little backyard has turned into the happening party destination for our family.

This year for El Fuego's 8th party, we are becoming mad scientists. We have researched experiments and thought about fun goodies to make. I'm currently trying to talk an old co-worker into dressing up as Albert Einstein and walking the boys through the experiments. Ever since my adorable friend offered to dress perfectly as Alice from Alice in Wonderland for Miss Divine's fifth birthday party, I love bringing "characters" in. It really makes the party I think!!!

Above are the invitations inviting our junior professors to Backyard Laboratories. The invites are simple, cheap and easy. I just printed them using Microsoft Word. However, we rolled them up and put them in test tubes which makes them fun and special. I'm hoping the postage doesn't kill me.

hiking adventure

Last week we hit the trail with friends and explored the outdoors. It was a great hike with a huge payoff at the end. The kids did great!!

Franklin Falls::Denny Creek

summer fun

happy fourth of july

A little late posting but it's only been a couple days since I've had my brand new laptop. Yay me!! I've been playing around with the new gadgets and trying to get myself set up with important things like email and facebook.

Anyway, we had an impromptu and fabulous fourth of July. We woke up not really knowing what we would be doing. We could drive to the city fireworks show (which I wasn't too thrilled about if I'm being honest) or just hang around the house and eat. We ended up at Mr. Hawthorne's sister and brother-in-law's house. Which turned out to be perfect. We enjoyed a little water play with cousins and some little girl we didn't know. But whatever...the more the merrier.

We are not allowed to shoot off fireworks in our city but there was no such law around these parts. El Fuego experienced his first taste of pyro mania and loved every minute of it.



Hope your holiday was just a great!

pioneering

I'm loving The Pioneer Woman. Her blog is great with mass amounts of visuals, witty commentary and helpful hints.

congratulations!

You did it Mr. Hawthorne!!

Congratulations.

You might have talked me into running it with you next year.

yellow belt

Last Friday, Miss Divine went to her taekwondo belt test. Her mommy was very nervous for her. She is one tough lil' gal and holds her own much to her mommy's surprise.

The room was packed with students testing and their families.

Yesterday, we were surprised to learn Miss Divine passed her test and earned her yellow belt. She was very happy!!

She thanked her mommy.

Her mommy was proud!

whatcha cookin' honeybuns?

dive'n in

via cig harvey & happy life

I love this photo....I saw it on happy life via cig harvey. And, when I clicked over to the website, I became smitten with the work of cig harvey completely. Oh to be that talented. This photo, however, is a reflection of how I'm feeling this first official day of summer vacation. Diving in. Head first. Suddenly, our very hectic schedule has become extremely slow. Much needed I must admit. Although, somehow, it feels strange going from constantly running to the next "thing" to only having two commitments each week.

The children have behaved like caged animals this overcast Washington day. I have refereed several squabbles already. I often refer my life to that of a fire fighter. When things are calm and good, all is peaceful. But, when the sparks fly, I find myself running around putting out fire after fire. Trying to keep the peace and contain the damage. Any one living with small people in their house, knows that one fire leads to another and another. And, soon you are counting down the minutes to bedtime.

11:00am.....countdown begins.....

happy birthday

To one hell of a guy!

We love you!

miss divine graduates

tweet, tweet

I'm experimenting with twitter....not sure what I think about it just yet since two hours after I signed up, I was "followed" by six porn sites wanting me to check out icky pictures of women with very little clothes on, four sites promoting their weird websites, and eight random people I had no idea who they were.

facebook

Stop by Facebook and say hi!! Let me know you found me through Little Irish.

my junebaby is not a baby anymore

Yesterday was Miss Divine's birthday. The kids and I decided to skip school and schedules and head to the zoo where Miss Divine could spend her first day being six. It turned out to be a fabulous day and we had much fun touring the zoo and it's many delights.

First stop: Flamingos which might be Miss Divine's most favorite.

El Fuego wanted to do the bird feeding and he was so shocked when a bird landed on his hand for a snack. It was awesome! Miss Divine didn't have as much success however. She had to be convinced the birds were just too full.

The otters and bears have always proven to be a great stop. We love watching the frisky otters swim and marvel at just how close we can get to the Grizzlies. Amazing!

Face painting was up next. We had never done this before but in honor of Miss Divine's day, we splurged.
El Fuego picked a wolf.

Petite Artiste picked Elmo.

Miss Divine picked a "Cheetah". From this point on, many people inquired and pointed at her adorable face. I started to feel like she had turned into an exhibit herself.

We stopped at Trophy Cupcakes on the way home on a whim. I think we need to make this fabulous haunt a tradition. I loved everything about it from it's adorable cupcakes to the vintage inspired party supplies.

And, what's more adorable then a flamingo topper I ask you?!?

Present time!! Notice Miss Divine's face matches some of the wrapping paper I used. I didn't plan that, I swear!

It was a fun day!!