Make Me Smile Monday

Our daughter S turned 8 this month. S has many typical first born traits. She's responsible and loves to take care of her younger siblings. She loves being the oldest child in our family and the first one to go out and do more "grown-up" things. I've learned a lot over the past 8 years about letting go and trusting God. The longing of my heart is that by the grace of God Jason and I will find that balance between providing a safe, secure place for her to thrive in while walking her through difficult discoveries and life lessons, the kind that unfortunately are inevitable. Jason and I have already discovered that what's involved in this is an ever changing and growing thing as she gets older.

I was so excited when S asked for a Tinkerbell Tea Party for her birthday. I was happy that she wasn't worried about having a "grown-up" party but simply having fun with her friends while remainig true to herself. I love seeing kids be kids. I don't want my children to be too eager to grow old, I want them to enjoy being young while they have the chance.

The two of us had fun picking colours and brainstorming ideas. In the end, we decided on making flower garlands with artificial flowers (she and her friends would make them together once they got here) and providing fairy wings (which I tied to the top of the chairs to also work as decorations) for everyone before they sat down to their tea party. I love the idea of using the party "supplies" as decorations.


I didn't get a picture of this table before the guests arrived but this is the aftermath. This is where I set up little Tinkerbell boxes I found at the dollar store to display the artificial flowers for making their garlands. In the foreground is one of the flower garlands we made.  



I set up extra flowers in vases around the room.     



I set up the goody bags on this table by the front door.

 

We used real tea cups and saucers I found at Value Village a few years ago, a teal blue table cloth, lilac coloured plastic forks and Tinkerbell plates and napkins. I found these sparkly blue "branches" at the dollar store and thought they made a perfect centerpiece.



These cupcakes came at the end of the party in lieu of cake after enjoying mini tarts, mini muffins grapes and white cheddar popcorn, apple juice and raspberry punch. 


P.S. I should add that the highlight of everything for me was when S came home from school the day before the party and all of the flowers and the table (minus the food and the dishes) were set up and the look of awe on her face, and the "WOW!" she exclaimed when she saw it. It was priceless! :)