Princess Time

I've decided there's an empty spot in every person's heart that waits to be filled by a grandchild.  What is it about these little people that fill a heart with such love?  To date, our lives have been blessed with granddaughters who are girly girls and love dress up.  Perfect elements for a tea party and a memory in the making.

Now, one should know that my 6'3" husband's heart belongs to a 2'6", 20 month old toddler with chocolate brown eyes.  My husband has always been a loving father and husband. Because of his size and deep voice, he can sometimes appear or sound gruff.  Harleigh has him figured out!  She brings out a softness and they have a bond that only they share.  Yes, she has him wrapped around her little finger.  Miss Paislee Spencer is our beautiful 4 1/2 year old granddaughter who came to us at Harleigh's age.  She's a delight who loves pretty dresses, makeup and knows that every story must have a prince charming.  She's our little one who may be four but is going on 14.  She is absolutely, hands down one of the most beautiful little girls I know.  She's also our fashion diva and is always noting color, design, fashion and anything that sparkles. 

The girls arrived with their mama.  They looked beautiful in their princess dresses and Miss Paislee had her beautiful french manicure nails on. 

As they arrived, Prince Charming (aka Grandpa) met them at the door.  Now our house is a 1915 farmhouse that needs a lot of work (keep that in mind when you look through these pictures).  But for one afternoon, in two little girls eyes, it became a castle ready for a party in their honor. 

I had knitted Paislee a soft, cream airy scarf that she draped around her neck.  Harleigh, as usual preferred my 90 inch strand of pearls.  A little sparkle on the face and eyes, and gloss for the lips and the girls transformed.

Grandpa explained to the girls that they must be escorted into the castle for the tea party. 

Grandpa seated Paislee first and explained as he pushed her chair to the table, that a gentleman always seats a lady and as he seated Harleigh, explained that he always scoots her in.  The girls eyes sparked with excitement as they looked at the table and knew that a party was to begin.

The table was set with an ecru crocheted table cloth.  Frankoma pottery that had belonged to Harleigh's great-grandma was used along with the Brown Betty teapot.  Harleigh had to peek under the table cloth a couple of times...making sure it was their purple fairie table <3

Nothing makes tea like Brown Betty and steeping in it was of course, peppermint tea.  Brown Betty belongs to Grandma and Grandpa and was given to them by Grandma's daddy so the girls know it's a very special teapot. 

Paislee asked if she could pour her own tea and was so very, very careful.

Paislee will tell you that you must have 4 lumps of sugar and a bit of cream to make the perfect peppermint tea.  She should know...she's been a tea expert in the three years we've known her; her favorite tea being peppermint.  Now Harleigh is of the belief that the more sugar, the better.  After Paislee had her tea just right, Harleigh added a few more lumps of sugar for her.  Aw, the sweetness.  Grandpa had carefully placed jelly beans on each of their plates.  Their eyes glowed when they saw that Grandpa has shared his special stash.  Oh how they love Grandpa!

I had fixed raw baby carrots and placed ranch dip in a jewel tea bowl for dipping.  I inherited jewel tea dishes from my mamma.  They had belonged to her grandma, my great-grandma and Miss Harleigh's great-great-great grandma.  While the girls may not have understood what was represented on that table for tea,  Bob and I did.  We knew the joy these litle girls would have brought to special people in our lives.

The girls enjoyed strawberries, string cheese, bread and butter pickle and turkey roll-up's, granola bars and homemade peanut butter, chocolate toffee cookies.  Mmmmm...they were so good with tea. 

Reading a book is always an important part of social time.  Grandpa read Paislee one of her favorite books, Miss Piggy and the Gorilla.  And Harleigh and Grandma looked through her favorite pop-up book about Elmo.

Modern technolgy appeals to Harleigh and once again (for the zillionith time), YouTube brought Elmo and Miss Lydia singing the ABC song.  Harleigh's sweet melodic voice sang right along in tune.

Soon, it was time for a movie and Paislee selected, "Snow White."  A very fitting movie and one that we all enjoyed.  Grandpa, aka Prince Charming was a bit tuckered out and caught a cat nap during the movie.

Our tea party turned into a slumber party and the greatest reward for this grandma came the next morning when Harleigh crawled over on my tummy, gave me a big hug and said in her toddler speech, "luv you."  Life is good.

The next tea party is already in design mode.  Hopefully, it will include our daughter's fiance's little girl and will be full of fairies and ladybugs.  What fun is to be had to welcome spring!