Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Tea Time

Five years ago today, I was at the car wash, feverishly vacuuming my car while navigating around one VERY pregnant belly. I had just left the doctor's office after receiving some vague assurances that I would eventually go into labor. 24 hours later I gave birth to the most precious and dynamic little bolt of lightening who has literally rocked my world every day for the past four years and 364 days. But because Morgan doesn't actually turn five until tomorrow, I will save my emotional trauma for another post. Instead, I bring you tea.

The irony of a tea party for my child was not lost on me. As many of you know, my child is wild and full of life. Her spirit is often overwhelming, occasionally on the verge of feral. But she asked for a tea party and that is just what we did: 

We set the table, complete with fancy paper plates and a mismatch of tea cups and saucers we found at thrift  stores around town.  

The tea set was real silver, on loan from my mother in-law. As the mother of two boys, she literally swooned when she received her party invitation and realized her little set would be the main event for seven little girls. I think she spent an entire afternoon polishing it while my father in-law tried to figure out if they could have gotten any money for it when the Antiques Roadshow was in town.


Of course, no tea party is complete without finger foods. I talked David out of making cucumber sandwiches, but everyone did get a PB & J (sans crust, of course). If you look really closely, you will see tiny little cups filled with macaroni & cheese...always know your customers.


Once David helped everyone decorate their party hats (he's totally getting Father of the Year), we officially kicked off brunch.


I heard plenty of "please and thank you" and maybe even spotted a few pinkies in the air. The "tea" was pink (of course) and may have tasted mostly like kiwi strawberry Crystal Light. Again, know your customers. 


I sent the girls on a treasure hunt for tea bags, forgetting to consider just how perfectly little sandals can crush an entire row of pansies. There was a brief moment, despite the fancy hats and dresses, that things got a little intense. A tea bag was spotted, elbows went flying, and several pairs of Hello Kitty undies were flashed - one child rose as the victor, a crumpled little pouch clenched between her tiny little fingers. I had no idea this day was going to become a contact sport.




I then lined each girl up for her chance at "Pin the Spout on the Teapot" - Half the group refused to let me spin them in their blindfold, which may have significantly altered the results. Either that or they could see under their mask and conveniently failed to tell me.
 

These two little activities accidentally led to a very big life lesson and one very sad birthday girl. Apparently, I forgot to tell her that even though it was her birthday, she didn't get to automatically win all of the games. 

Of course, she eventually rallied. There were presents to be opened and more tea to drink. The show had to go on, as did the backyard parade. 
  



As we get ready to close out another year, big things are on the horizon. We start kindergarten next week and are working feverishly on learning how to both read a book and ride a bike. As I watched my daughter and her friends spend their first little afternoon as "ladies," I couldn't help but wonder where she will take me next. That, and marvel at the fact that, for the first time in her life, didn't use her dress as a napkin.

1 comment:

Rebecca Sagoe said...

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Morgan!