The Fancy Tea Party

    It all began about a month ago when my sister was married. Both girls were flower girls and I was the matron of honor. The wedding was in St. Louis and as we were packing to head home, I commented to my mom that I was leaving the dresses behind as we had no where to wear them. My mom mentioned in passing that we should have a tea party and all dress up with our dresses.

    Well, Ally must have heard her and the wheels in her brain started churning and so for the past several weeks, Ally and my mom have been hard at work planning “The Fancy Tea Party”. Ally would call my mom each morning at 8:00. Mom would drink her coffee and Ally her chocolate milk while they discussed the details. The event was to be held over spring break. We arrived at mom and dad’s on Sunday and Ally got right to work. She cleaned and polished the silver tea sets and cut out the nametags (my brother asked if anyone besides family was coming to the party. I answered “no” and he commented, “but aren’t we wearing nametags?” Details).

    The day of the party we were hard at work decorating mini-cupcakes (with homemade roses made by my mom’s dear friend), baking cookies, putting together finger sandwiches, buying balloons, decorating the house and making sure everything was ready for the grand event. Fake fur stoles and boas were pulled out of storage. People were dressed and roles were assigned (my 5-year-old nephew played the piano, Tori was a server, etc). I think of all things Ally planned, my two favorite were that she had my mom buy bottles of water (for the helpers) and that everyone got a quarter as they left the tea party. We left “fancy” up to each person’s own interpretation. We had everything from jeans to suits, long gowns to t-shirts with ties clipped on.

    After the party Ally commented that “The tea party turned out just like I had hoped!” She and my mom had a ball putting the event together and I know that she has memories of grandma that will last her a lifetime!