The Tea Party

You may recall that the girls and I went to Tennessee to visit Bimlissa and company last fall.

During said trip, we took the girls to the American Girl store in Atlanta.  We had a tea party there and life, for my girls, would never be the same again.

So, for Sweet Pea's birthday, she wanted to have an "American Girl Tea Party."

Now.  I am not "creative."  Nor am I "girly."  And I'm definitely not "lovely" or "graceful."  So throwing such a party was a bit of a challenge for me.  But I prevailed!

Prepared to be wowed by my awesomeness.

First, I coerced my mother into hosting.  This was brilliant on my part for a few reasons.

1)  Her house is nicer.

2)  She is nicer.

3)  She lives closer to, oh, you know, PEOPLE.  Therefore we might actually get some humans to come.

My mom and dad had the table all set up for us before we got there.

Mother used Sister Meagan's American girl dolls from her childhood as centerpieces.  I would like the people to know that I, their eldest daughter, received zero American girl dolls during my childhood, while Meagan, their youngest daughter received TWO.

Not that I am bitter.

(But I would have picked Samantha.  She was the bomb.  There's no denying it.)

My dad made a huge pot of hot cocoa and talked to himself.  He talks to himself often, he cannot help it.  Apparently, he was trying to figure out what was going to take place in his home today, seeing as how his granddaughters were about to burst from excitement.

What is a tea party?

What are they going to do?

I don't understand how this works?

Well, Dad.  I fear you don't understand how many things work.

Mother sent father out to do some errands.  It was for the best.

The girls and I had prepared a menu beforehand with many delicious treats.

What was on the menu, you ask?

Felicity's Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow Dippers

(Marshmallow Dippers recipe and image source)

Samantha's Pink Lemonade

Kaya's Fruit Kabobs with yogurt dip and mini poppyseed muffins

Kit's Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches (cut out into a bunny shape)

Rebecca's Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches (cut out into a star shape)

Julie's Mini Bagels with Cream Cheese

Josefina's Candy Brownies (brownies with M and M's on top)

Molly's Tea Party Cupcakes

I am sure you are all amazed . . . and rightfully so.  But allow me to let you in on a little secret:

All you do is pick a finger food and stick one of the American Girl character's names in front of it.

I'll do it right now.

Veggies and Dip . . .

Kirsten's Veggies with Dip.

BAM!

And that's how it's done, folks.

The girls all arrived with a doll and felt they were all that and a bag of chips.  During the tea party, I suggested the dolls get acquainted on the couch and not risk getting some of FELICITY's hot cocoa on them.

The girls.

After they ate, we played American Girl Bingo.  It was all free and gameboards could be printed from this site.

I printed them out on cardstock, so we can use them over and over again.

I KNOW! Can you believe I am this "with it"?

The birthday girl, enjoying a rousing game of Bingo.

Happy Birthday to Sweet Pea!  I hope she enjoyed her MOLLY TeaParty cupcake.

We purchased all the tea cups for 25 cents and saucers for 10 cents at a thrift store and sent them home as party favors for the girls.

I told you I would wow you, the Susie Fantastic that I clearly am.

Nailed it.

***

We opened our Christmas presents from Jason and Amy today.  It is a long story, and mostly our fault, but there is no time to explain as to why we are opening Christmas presents on January the 8th.

Just go with it.

Look at what Amy made me!

A collage frame with the photos already in it!  Score!

Now if I could only get her to create all my photo albums from the years 2007-2012 . . .

Perhaps if I told her she was more precious than fine rubies?  Thoughts?

They also gave the kids Legos.  Little Dude has been "cleaning up" his mess for about 90 minutes now.

*Gasp*

I used the flash.  Isn't that a mortal sin in photography nowadays?

I care not.

Obviously.

Later dudes.