Anna Celebrates the Big Seven!

For Anna's seventh birthday party we contemplated several different options.  A movie party?  A swim party? Chuck E Cheese? Another go at the Mad Potter? 

We decided to scrap all of those ideas and hold a royal tea party.

Anna's friends received royal requests for their presence at the Smith Castle.

The princesses (and one handsome prince) showed up in their royal finest.  No tea party occasion is complete without a beaded necklace, so we began our party by stringing "pearls".

The living room was transformed into a princess wonderland.

All the party goers were greeted with place cards. 

And we even scored real bone china for our group of young ladies.

Even the cupcakes joined the flowery theme of the day...

The guest of honor thoroughly enjoyed the festivities!

Of course, the ceremonial opening of the gifts was a hit, too!

Here, some of the princesses were scurrying under the table for better "seats".

A great time was had by all!

Tonight Anna capped off her celebrations by getting her ears pierced.  She was so nervous beforehand, but was determined to see it through.  Fortunately, a slightly more mature girl (of 9) got her ears pierced right before Anna and gave her some words of comfort and encouragement. 

I was expecting tears, but she only let out a surprised, "OW!"

Very brave!

All evening she's been positively giddy.

-----------------

Anna's royal tea theme was due, in large part, to the wedding of William and Kate today.  Although some may scoff at all the pomp and circumstance and say it's unnecessary, I for one (and Anna and Libby as well, judging by the gap-jawed, enamoured looks and words of pure delight and exclamation...and perhaps most telling, the fact that their breakfasts sat untouched while they were GLUED to the television) think it is beautiful.  I will readily admit to getting teary-eyed watching the newly married couple walk down the ancient aisle of Westminster Abbey. 

The carriage ride through the streets of London.

The kisses on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

It was all so.....fairy-tale like.

So exquisitely beautiful.

I wish bountiful blessings and a long, happy marriage to the prince and his new bride! 

Now we can all guess on when the newest Mountbatten-Windsor will make his or her appearance into the world.

;-)

For now, as an ending to this fabulous day, my own Prince Charming and I are going to watch The King's Speech. 

Can't let the royal tide go out quite yet, I suppose!