In a way, it is always hard for me to see my children grow older. There is something so absolutely precious and sweet about a toddler that simply is not there in older children. And while their growing independence with each year often brings a sigh of relief, it is also sad knowing they need me less and less. However, this time around, I have been filled with joy too see the changes and growth in Abby. In the last few months of 2013, she just seemed to blossom. She has always had a helpful and serving heart, but now that her abilities and skills are expanding it is becoming even more evident. She loves to help me in the kitchen, loading and unloading the dishwasher, getting her brother's glasses of milk or popping in toast for them, etc. She is always quick to jump up from the table to grab someone a spoon or fork or whatever it is someone mentions they need. Honestly, she challenges ME with her selfless and servant attitude. She is definitely a HUGE blessing to our family! I could go on and on, but in order to actually get this posted, I will stop there. :)
On Abby's actual birthday, Kevin and I took her out for dinner (or was it just me because Kevin was gone fishing? I can't even remember now!) and several weeks later her birthday was celebrated with several others in the Marks family, as mentioned in the previous post. But the two days before her birthday, for the first time, we had a friends birthday party. I'd been talking about it with Abby for quite some time and it was definitely something she wanted to do. Together (and I really do mean together, not just me influencing her!) we decided to tell her friends not to bring a present, but instead a homemade card. It was perfect and I'm glad we did it that way. There were many reasons behind the decision, but one of the main ones was that the celebration would be focused on being together with her friends and not just "getting stuff." Abby chose the theme for her party: a dress-up tea party. We gathered up all her dress-up items and purchased a few more and then created a little dress-up corner in the living room. The girls had a blast trying on all the different outfits and accessories. :)
I had lots of fun decorating and preparing for the tea party. The table was covered in pink and lace, with pearl beads and my best china dishes. I made a lovely birthday banner and sweet little name place cards for each girl. We had cucumber and hummus finger sandwiches, meat and cheese sandwiches cut out in butterfly shapes, and fruit. We found mismatched tea cups and saucers at Goodwill for only $.25 each and Abby spent much time deciding which cup and saucer should be for each girl. :) Everyone tried some real tea (Abby had never had any, but some of the girls were veterans!) and then had cider for anyone that didn't like the tea. For dessert, there were frosted mini-brownies with sprinkles and sugar cookies topped with cream cheese frosting and fruit. It was so much fun for the girls and I hope a very special memory.
After lunch, we played an old-fashioned Victorian game I found online (basically, each girl takes a turn being blindfolded and has to wander around trying to tag another girl) and also a game where two teams had to race to fill their cup up with sugar cubes before the other team. After that the girls made and decorated ladies fans. I tried to keep everything with the Victorian tea party theme and it was lots of fun!
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| Racing with a sugar cube on a teaspoon to the tea cup! |
The friends birthday party was special, girly, lovely, fun and sweet - just like our Abigail Elizabeth. :)
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