Alice's 5th Birthday
“Would you like an adventure now, or shall we have our tea first?”
So my baby girl turned five - five! - and we celebrated with a tea party and girl friends. (Daddy and Milo were informed of the girls-only event and made a boys-day of it at the zoo. We saved them donuts.)
And while I call it a "tea party," it was more so the "idea of tea." The little ladies got water and donut holes and the mamas enjoyed a cold brew tasting (Orange Cappuccino, Toasted Coconut Cream, English Toffee, Blueberry Cobbler, Apricot Cream and Jamaican Me Crazy). I think my friends and I enjoy Alice's parties as much as Alice and her friends!
We began where every good party begins: invitations. With our penchant for thrift and creativity, Alice and I colored some lovely post cards in animal motifs, giving them bright party hats and bow ties when appropriate.
Next on the list was choosing coffee beans from our favorite local roaster - A Hill of Beans - and then giving them plenty of time to steep before the soiree. I use a 7-1 ratio of water to coarse grounds and let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours. Strain, refrigerate and serve - voila!
I created a makeshift closet in the playroom for all of Alice's costumes so the girls could dress up if they wanted, and boy did they! I think they each had 3 wardrobe changes before we even sat down for tea. We've picked up costumes over the last few years at garage sales and thrift stores, and have even been given some lovely ones by family and friends. We love playing make believe here :)
I laid a beautiful table cloth down to dress up the room and topped it with throw pillows for seating and a bench laden with tea cups and cake stands full of donut holes. (We ordered 15 dozen from our favorite local spot - Jim & Connie's - and I am so glad we did! For less than a $15, my sanity was saved and our gaggle of girls contented.)
Balloons and YAY! candles (find here) from Paper Kite finished off our little space and bobbed along as we enjoyed a delightful morning with friends.
Thank you, lovely ladies, for coming to celebrate such a sweet moment for Alice! We so appreciate you :D
A glimpse of our festivities below...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALICE!!!
