Tea Party

You would think that there is no such thing as too much birthday cake ... but since half of our family birthdays fall in August, I'm starting to think that you really can have too much cake! Since Molly decided she didn't want to wait around until her September due date, her birthday and Big Sister's birthday ended up being just a week apart (followed closely by Dad's birthday). And, since this was Big Sister's thirteenth birthday, Dad and I decided that (another) birthday party was warranted.

Big Sister decided that she wanted a tea party sleepover. So, this past weekend four teenage girls arrived at our house, dressed in their tea party best. Since no self-respecting thirteen-year-old girl drinks tea or would deign to touch a cucumber sandwich, we played a little fast and loose with our tea party protocol. Instead of tea we had pink lemonade and Cherry Coke, and in lieu of cucumber the assortment of sandwiches included PB&J, Nutella and marshmallow fluff, deviled ham, and ham roll-ups. We also had tea biscuits, deviled eggs, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. There were paper doilies and pretty pink napkins aplenty! Molly was an honorary guest and donned a special dress just for the occasion. Max was his usual charming self -- chatting up the girls and doling out kisses.

I'd (almost) forgotten how giggly, silly, hyper, and HUNGRY five teenage girls could get. After "tea," we opened presents and then everyone went swimming. The girls all disappeared into the basement and talked and giggled until it was time for cake (shaped, of course, like a tea pot). They appeared totally shocked when we approved their request to go back in the pool at NINE O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, but thought it was the greatest thing EVER. After the second round of swimming, we ordered the famished girls a pizza and let them play Guitar Hero and watch movies until the wee hours. Mom made everyone pancakes and sausage in the morning before we packed them off for home. Everyone got along and the birthday girl enjoyed her party immensely. Dad and I were happy to have weathered another birthday party and don't plan on having another one any time soon!