Birthday Tea Party

This year for Hannah's birthday, I did a tea party. The invitations read to wear your favorite princess dress or your Sunday Best, and all the girls came dressed so perfectly and girly for tea, some even wore gloves, and one a hat. They all looked so cute. Emma arrived early and helped keep Hannah and Rachel occupied for a while before the rest of the party guests arrived. A lot of preparation and work went into this party and I am so happy with how it turned out. Thanks to Gramie who found and bought the cute polka dot tea cups (they were really espresso cups, but worked just perfectly), and with a few added pieces from Gramma, everything pulled together and the tables looked just beautiful. Upon arriving, the girls decorated a foam crown with stickers. Some wore theirs to the party table, others saved theirs for taking home. But I think they all enjoyed it and it was fun to see how differently each girl decorated their crown.Once the majority of the girls were here, and the crowns had been made, it was time to make their way out to the patio to the long tea party table. Every girl had a place setting set for them and even had fancy little place settings with their name. On the menu: chocolate chip scones, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, grapes, and veggie kabobs with little Ranch dressing cups. And for dessert, birthday cupcakes and chocolate chip ice cream. Although it was a tea party, the teapots held pink lemonade and fruit punch, although tea was available upon request. But seeing how it was 95 here today, not many were longing for a hot drink.The girls ate and giggled and talked and giggled and talked. Singing silly songs and sayings they say at school. After they were done eating, each girl got a bag of beads and a string to make a necklace that allowed them to sit at the table and talk and giggle some more. After beading, the girls remained at the table and Hannah opened presents. Having the girls remain at their seats worked out really nice and it allowed everyone to be able to see what was being opened, etc. Hannah got some really cool things and can't wait to play with them.Following the presents, I was going to bring out the cupcakes, but the girls asked for 'recess'. Steven said perhaps they needed a chance to get up and run around a bit and work off from having sat at a table for over an hour. So 'recess' it was and off they went to play on the swingset, played some handball against the house until the ball went over the fence, and even did bubbles. Finally, when they were all hot and wanted something cool to drink, I was able to regroup them to the table and bring out the cupcakes and we were able to sing to the birthday girl. Towards the end of the party, I asked Hannah if she was having a good time, she said yes, but then got quiet, when I asked her what was wrong, she said she hated that the time was coming that everyone would leave. She loved having all her friends and her cousins over for a tea party.