Birthday

Edie's birthday was Friday last week and it's been so busy, I haven't had the appropriate time to post her 4 year note or the photos from her big day.

I was intentionally low key about Edie's birthday this year - at least in regard to big parties.  I have a weird thing about not liking hired help/entertainment at children's birthday parties. It always feels awkward for the adults, like we all know you're acting like a big idiot and we understand and appreciate that it's highly entertaining for the children, but it has the effect of making me feel uncomfortable. I get the same feeling when watching reality tv dating shows. Or magic shows. Or bad improv. Basically, a little squirmy and perhaps a tad nervous that I'm going to be dragged into the "show" unwillingly. I fear we are nearing the age where The Bubble Man, or a balloon person, or an imitation princess slash ballerina is required and I decided I could put it off for just one more year without Edie noticing. We brought cupcakes and games for her to share with her daycare friends the before and that felt like a big celebration to her. We'll make 5 a big birthday, but 4 was more intimate. Intimate but FANCY. Edie told me she wanted to have a tea party for her birthday, so plans were made...

The day dawned sunny and beautiful. I'd picked out a new dress for Edie at a local consignment shop the week before and presented it to her in the morning. We marched down the street to Penny's house and helped the girls get ready for a fancy tea party. We'd made arrangements earlier in the week for the 4 of us to have tea at the Queen Mary Tea House (website here: http://www.queenmarytea.com). We had early lunch reservations and the girls primped by getting french braids, head bands, painted nails and lip gloss. Here they are watching My Little Pony while we braided their hair:

On Penny's front steps:

Outside the tea shop:

I love the next three shots of Edie sipping her giant water:

The place was PACKED, so I'm glad we had reservations. They had the bench all ready for the girls with stuffed Corgies waiting to keep them company (and no doubt tempt us to buy them):

Her apple juice tea that came in a fancy pot:

They have a "children's tea" package especially for kids that includes tiaras, apple juice or cocoa "tea", and the fanciest little tea spread ever.

First course was a trio of sorbets served with a little butter cookie:

Then each girl got a presentation like this:

Tiny fruits, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off, fudge cake with purple cotton candy on top and chocolate sauce for dipping. RIDICULOUS. And adorable.

Of course they went straight for the cake and cotton candy:

Then we presented them with matching unicorn necklaces that Edie had picked out to give Penny (and herself, of course).

Obligatory mother daughter shot (definitely the best of 3 tries, albiet mediocre):

Not too bad of the 4 of us:

Edie crashed super hard after tea. This is her, about 1 minute after saying she wasn't tired:

Later that afternoon, Heidi and Paul came by and presented her with this hand made fairy costume:

She obviously hated it. She refused to take it off for dinner. Which was a decidedly unfancy affair involving a quick drive to Spud for fish and chips (in fairy princess attire. as you do.). We all share a deep love for fried fish:

The old man who runs Spud had a soft spot for Edie and offered her a free tiny sundae:

Then we went home and she opened presents from us and my parents, who are on a long trip and left their presents behind:

Jeff got the sweetest video of her opening her presents and being so excited and thankful. I think it's too long to post here, but she was thrilled.

Her tea set from mom and dad (and weird sideways smile)

That night we packed up and headed to Birch Bay for the long weekend. Edie insisted on wearing her new Sleeping Beauty dress to drive north AND sleep in.  We got there late, put a sleeping Edie right to bed and woke up to sunshine.