A Royal Celebration

Emily's birthday is actually at the end of December, but since we were busy traveling in the USA during the Christmas holidays, we promised to have her birthday party (her first 'friend party') when we returned home to England.

Emily wanted a "princess party."

First, the royal decree went forth:

The morning of her party, Emily awoke to find that a Fairy Godmother had left her a beautiful new gown to wear for the festivities:

We made a castle cake and decorated the house with lots of PINK:

... and we st up the special party activities that Emily had planned.

We had royal makeovers:

Made bead bracelets...

...and decorated tiaras:

Then, a hunt for Snow White's "poisonous" apple, and some balloon swords crafted by King Daddy himself:

A royal ball:

Amy learned "The Princess Waltz" this last week during piano lessons and volunteered to play for the dance.

Then, lunch...

...featuring:

Cinderella's Pumpkin Dip + Veggies

(Ranch dip inside the giant ceramic pumpkin)

Giselle's True Love Sandwiches:

(ham or cheese option)

Ariel's Under-the-Sea cups:

(blue jello with gummy sea characters)

Tinkerbell's Fruity Wands:

Mulan's Vegetable Spring Rolls & Sleeping Beauty's Pillows (sausage rolls):

Snow White's Non-Poisonous Apples (with toffee sauce):

Princess Popcorn:

(homemade kettle corn, in shades of pink and purple)

And to drink, Frog Princess punch:

At the end of the party, each little Princess went home with a variety of treasures: their little make-up kit (from the makeover activity), the tiara they decorated, their bead bracelets, a satchel of chocolate coins and a girly story book.

Per English custom, we waited until all the guests were gone before Emily opened her presents.  She loved them all - dress-up shoes, a Barbie doll, bead sets, a Snow White doll and a Snow White play set.

Emily loved every minute of her party, and it seemed that all the little Princess guests had a lovely time too.  A big thanks to all who helped: my sister, Lindy, for food and game ideas; Laurie and Sharon, for tending the kids the day before so I could clean, decorate and set up; Matt for playing Fairy Godmother and balloon-man all in one day; and all the Mums and Princesses who came to celebrate our baby turning 4 years old...

It's so fun having little girls!