Birthday Tea Party with Belle

The day of the party had finally arrived and we were all ready for a fabulous party.  My beautiful princess eagerly waited for the guests to arrive.  She had literally been planning this party all year.

I ran around like a crazy person putting the final touches on things.  I must say the princess dress and crown cookies turned out beautifully, as did the mini strawberry shortcake roses.  There was only one almost crisis when my good camera's memory card failed.  Before I could panic my dad and Ryan swapped memory cards and I was back in the picture taking business.  We all know that not being able to take pictures would have constituted a MAJOR crisis in my world.

 

While waiting for our special guest to arrive, the girls sat down to tea in the dining room.  Each girl had a teacup place card that Tessa and I had crafted together.  On the menu were cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, scones, cookies, croissants, fruit, cheese and PB&J sandwiches.  The sandwiches were cut out in the shapes of castles and slippers.  The tea magically tasted like apple juice or pink lemonade and the girls had fun sweetening their drinks with sugar cubes.  They were adorable, all decked out in fancy gowns and jewelry, eating and chatting.      

When Princess Belle made her grand entrance, all seven little girls stared in awe.  We have never seen so many girls all be quiet at the same time.  I, on the other hand, was squealing like a five year old.  Once the girls got over their shock, they all started talking.  Belle gave them a quick lesson in tea etiquette including how to hold up your little finger while sipping.  

Princess Belle sat down and joined the girls at the table.  She patiently answered all of their questions and I was impressed with her Disney knowledge.  The girls even put her on the spot asking her to sing all the princess songs and she did.       

All I ever want is to make my baby happy and this is one happy little girl.  A favorite line in our house is "Dreams really do come true."  I tell her all the time that she is my dream come true.

After tea time, we moved into the living room.  There were tea party games, necklaces, rings, bracelets, crowns, shoes, dresses, a "castle" and more for the girls to play with.  We had decorated with Tessa's collection of princess gowns, including the newly acquired Ariel dress from the day before.  We love to play dress up and it's wonderful that G&G can stock my princess with a complete wardrobe. 

I also had a craft station where the girls could decorate a castle with sparkly stickers. 

 

And Princess Belle did makeup for the girls.  I love how Tessa is puckered up for lip gloss. 

I'm having a good time with my little princess.

After the make-up session, we moved to the kitchen for pictures and cake.  The girls all posed like Belle, absolutely adorable.  

Then we did individual pictures with Belle.  Here is Tessa mid curtsy, I love how this picture shows her pretty little high heel shoes. 

Ryan got the joy of helping Tessa open presents this year.  She is happy being the center of attention but I think Daddy got a little claustrophobic with all the girls pressing closer and closer as each package was opened.  Tessa received lots of wonderful craft items and we have been enjoying using them.

Before Princess Belle had to leave, we sang happy birthday and cut the cake.  It is no small feat to serve this kind of cake but my mom did a great job.   

 

Happy Birthday to You!  Happy Birthday to You!  Happy Birthday Sweet Tessa, Happy Birthday to You!!!

The Real Birthday

On Tessa's actual birthday we had cake and presents with just family.  It was almost time for the much anticipated Belle party, but this day was all Ariel.      

Tessa was so excited to have these beautiful presents to open. 

I believe I have mentioned that we love Ariel.  Now we have the new Ariel doll, all of her mermaid sisters, her pink dinner gown, games, coloring books and more.   

This is one happy little birthday girl. 

Thank you G&G for the wonderful gifts.  Y'all are awesome grandparents!

It's time for cake!  Whose ready for some icing?

Happy Birthday Baby!

Tessa Turns Five

It is incredible to think that our precious little baby is five years old already.  Bear with me as I brag about my fabulous daughter.  She is an absolute delight, beautiful inside and out.  Tessa got a good report from the pediatrician.  She remains right in the middle of the growth curve and is totally healthy.  Her little personality is showing more each day, especially now that she is so verbal about her thoughts and feelings.  She is amazingly compassionate and sensitive.  She readily comforts anyone who gets hurt or is upset.  She is a pleaser and (usually) responds well to discipline.  She loves all things princess and still sleeps with about a million stuffed animals in her bed.  She likes her music loud and is thrilled when we drive fast on winding little roads.  When asked if she wants a little brother or sister, she responds "No, we'll get another dog."  She will go to K5 at church this year which means school five days a week.  She is ready for this, even if I am not.  Her favorite colors are pink and red.  Her favorite foods are strawberries, pizza, chicken nuggets and french fries.  She still avoids most vegetables except for beans, those she thinks are delicious.  She loves to read and will sit in my lap while I read entire chapter books in one sitting.  Her memory is unbelievable, as is her ever expanding vocabulary including a few words she probably shouldn't know.  She is graceful and coordinated, has good rhythm, and loves to dance.  Ryan tells me she has good pitch - I can't personally sing at all, so I take his word for it.  Thanks to the summer sun she has a beautiful tan, just a few freckles on her cheeks and blond streaks in her hair.  Tessa is a gift from God that we treasure every single day.