Clara's Tea Party

The Birthday Girl

Hope's choices of her dress and hat.

My niece Clara had the cutest party ever today. It was at a place that has fairy tale tea parties. There were nine kids. The birthday girl gets to wear a crown and pick out her dress first. Then, everyone else chooses a hat and their dress. The boys could be cowboys, princes, etc. Hope, being Hope, managed to find the gaudiest dress, most unusual hat, and for her grand introduction chose a bright green boa to top it off. She has got her own sense of style for sure! They sat down at the cutest dining room table, and put their make up on. Then they had their grand introductions. Clara was introduced as Cinderella, and Hope was introduced as Tinkerbell. They learned about proper Princess Tea Party Etiquette, like if you have a question, raise your pinkie. They poured their own tea. Hope did fine pouring her tea, until she went to pass it to Zeb, and she spilled her cup. They were allowed to put a sugar cube and some milk in their tea. They were given chocolate soup, finger sandwiches and petite fours to eat. Then, they all lined up and walked out to the street to wave to all the passing cars. Too cute. It was a lot of fun to watch, and Hope hasn't stopped talking about her day as a princess yet. I think I know where Hope's party will be next year!

I took an obscene amount of pictures! Here are just a few.... Checking herself out in the mirror (Singing "Jingle Bells")

Putting her "Lickstick" on

I'm ready for some tea!

Waiting oh so patiently. I love her little clasped hands.

Her grand introduction

How many pictures are you going to take?

Party's over...time to let loose!

Our Little Artist

Hope's Mimi got Hope an easel for her birthday, and some paint for Christmas. She has been dying to paint, so one day last week, I let her go for it. She was so proud of this picture. It is her and her daddy playing with a big yellow ball.

John's Dad

John's dad suffered a heart attack on Thursday. John flew in from North Carolina, and I met him in VB. We spent a couple of days in Van Buren, and he seems to be on the road to recovery. Please pray for Hope's Papa Roy!

Name this baby!

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Much Love to Hope's Uncle Ross

My Baby Brother, Ross, left for Iraq in the wee hours of the morning this morning. Well, he left for California, and will leave from there to Iraq sometime in the coming days. Please pray for him, for peace and especially for my mother during his seven months over there.

We love you, Rossaroo!
(Oh, and he will kill me for putting this picture on the blog!)

Hope's First Ice Cream

I know, you're thinking Hope has never had ice cream in her 3 years of life? No, she hasn't. We were told when Hope was a baby that she had a milk allergy. So, no ice cream, no real milk, limited cheese and yogurt. Every 6 months we would try milk to see if she still had a reaction, and yes, she always has. At her 3 year check up, Dr. Laura decided it was time to do the blood test to see just how allergic she was. Well, she isn't! She is apparently lactose intolerant. She has been on Lactose free milk for several weeks and has been fine. So, we went searching the internet yesterday for lactose free ice cream and found that Breyer's has started making it and we could get it at Kroger! Thank you Breyer's! So, we picked some up. Hope was so excited, but we made her wait until after dinner, which was just pure torture for a girl who has settled for popsicles every time her "ice cream addicted" daddy had some. I think you can tell from the pictures that she thoroughly enjoyed her first bowl of vanilla with chocolate syrup!