Back in the spring, I went to the outskirts of the Ozarks to be with my nieces for their birthdays. First for a 6th birthday, and two days later for a 1st birthday. That was before any of us had any idea they’d be moving to Georgia this summer, and that would be the last birthdays in their Arkansas home.
I’ve put those photos on the backburner while working on others, but am finally going to review the 6th birthday party – a tea party! – here. Yes, for my own 6th, I think there was something like a gym, with lots of kids running around blowing whistles and rolling hula hoops and bouncing balls. But this girl wanted a tea party. I believe the invitation said something like, “Put on your finest dress and your mother’s pearls, we’re having tea with just the girls” – for each their own.
It was a little bittersweet looking back at these, knowing what good friends she’s left behind. There was one “BFF” in particular (that’s how she always describes her, “My BFF”), who she only met on the school bus last year, even though she had lived on the next block all for years. I know they spent her last 2 nights together there, slumbering at one house and then the other, and my niece told me that when she was picked up to finally go, her BFF stood there clutching her bear and sobbing. Then she said, rather wistfully, “I really miss that girl.”
Morning set up up of seating cards, while little sister assists by pulling everything out of low-lying drawers.
Getting some athleticism out of the way with a Saturday game, and then on to the frills!
heart-shaped sandwiches and assorted tea cups
And now little sister has found a party favor… and put it on the floor as well. (She ended up napping through the entire party.)
Waiting for guests to arrive.
She looked out impatiently the exact same way at her 4th birthday party. I went back and found an old photo for comparison.
Tea time! Yes, I’m afraid those are real sugar cubes…
1st activity – pick out your hat.
2nd activity – decorate a frame.
Quietly working. They were uncannily silent (and so lady-like) during the first part of the party.
Decorated hats, waiting to dry.
All tea-ladied up.
Laughing with a sweet friend.
Surveying the goods.
mmm, strawberry cream cheese and pink lemonade.
Pinky in place.
Even I put on some pearls and a hat.
Cake time is really more like “frosting time.” And then the sugar kicks in and the group hugs began.
More group hug. I think this ended in some little girl bodies tipping to the ground, and pearls being sprayed everywhere.
All lined up for a race.
Relay race to fill a cup with sugar cubes! (This time the cubes were marshmallows.)
And backyard chaos begins.
Kicking off their shoes and letting loose.
And one with the BFF to end with. I think they were singing as they were swinging.
[…] recently added a post for my niece’s 6th birthday, and now I have to get to what we did the next day – celebrate her sister’s 1st […]