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!!!