Wandering; An Alice in Wonderland Birthday Tea Party

 "I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then." -Alice

First I sent out this invite;

As we prepared for the party, I gathered books for a used book table that would serve as our party favors.  We made this sign to greet guests in the front yard and D made these paper lanterns out of scrapbook paper, she also made these  jam tarts out of refrigerator dough and strawberry jam.

 Ted assembled almost every chair we own in the back yard;

The weather said it would not just rain but thunderstorm at the time of the party. 50 percent chance then 70 then 90 percent. My mood was gloomier each time I checked the weather.

And I said things to God like, "You know I prayed about this, and you seemed to say the 11th at 1:30 was the perfect time."

I was a little annoyed with myself and God.  I know that might seem silly, but there it is.

I was telling bemoaning this to my dear Ted when Jonathan piped up and said, "Mommy God says to do the party on Saturday instead."

Ok then, maybe the kids are hearing about party dates now.  So I said,
"Dorathea will you pray and ask God if we should cancel and reschedule for Saturday?"
She prayed for a long time.  I would ask did you hear anything.  She would say, "No" and I would wait longer.....aggravated a little still.  I didn't know why the first time I prayed about this it didn't stick.

This photo was taken before Halloween last year. I refurbished this dress for D back in October knowing that we would re-use it for her birthday!

Then she sighed, "God says to move it to Sat-urday" She said sadly.  We were both sad because we knew some of our guest wouldn't be able to make it.  I know I'm a little strange but I love having a large number of children partying in my yard. 

So I made the sad rescheduling texts and had about 5 kids say they couldn't come.

I invited a friend and her kids over for a playdate on the rainy original party day to soften the blow.  Her kids completely captivated mine. 

She and I spent hours in my kitchen laughing, crying, talking about real problems and dealing with deep hurts.  At some point as tears were flowing and healing was filling up the room 

I told her, 

"This is why the party needed to be rescheduled.  This is worth it.  You and the things God is doing in your life are worth the slight inconvenience of rescheduling a birthday party." 

I felt all lit up inside.  

Sometimes when  I hold on so tightly to my plans when they seem to go all wrong I think; 

Am I just bad at The Game of Life? Do I get a failing grade at adult things?Am I just really bad at reading my Life Map?

Image from http://blog.hwtm.com/2012/11/vintage-alice-in-wonderland-tea-party/
I forgot to photograph the one we made!

But it's not that. Sometimes the path wanders. I want it to be straight.  I REALLY WANT IT TO BE STRAIGHT! But it needs to wander to get where I'm going.

I didn't understand that when he changes the plan, it's because he is changing me, expanding me.  

When my path seems like Nonesense, there is the potential for me to be injected with a dose of Wonder. To have relationship with people I was destined to meet.

The day came and the sun came out.  The Mad Hatter arrived and this hat I crafted for him (no small undertaking) fit him like he was made for this role.

And he was!

The Doormouse showed up.  She was cute and also SUPER helpful with all the wee guests.  

Thank you Door Mouse!!

The guests arrived one by one, and guess what?

We had more kids come than were planned for the first party!

It was a lovely whimsical tea followed by cake (cake is not my strong point so I just followed my stick-things-on-a-store-bought-cake tactic). I stuck on book illustrations and a fairy tea set.

Then D opened presents. The Mad Hatter is good at helping with the wrapping.

Then as the Red Queen I led a few games. 

Here we are playing "Painting the Roses Red Relay race"

 I divided the kids up into two teams.

1. The person at the front of each line had to put on an apron, 2.walk across the lawn balancing a teacup on it's saucer, 3.then place it on the ground and paint a white paper rose with red paint until it was covered. 4. Then the next player was handed the saucer and would repeat the steps.

All this while I got to say "The rose is not RED ENOUGH!, OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

We also played "The Red Queen Says" 

This is just like Simon Says except when someone messes up the red queen expels them from the game by saying, "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

I found saying this to be a real stress reliever during the party. Also the kids thought it was hilarious.

Also, every time I told my little Alice Birthday Girl to do anything the day of the party she replied, "YES YOUR MAJESTY!" 

This all by itself is the best reason to throw an Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party.  I have been waiting for this party my whole mommy life!

I borrowed a game of croquet, and set it up for free play.  I also had D start a game of "Dissapear and Seek". Just hide and seek with a Chesher Cat theme. 

These beautiful photos were taken by Laura Swift Photography at my request. She is so good at capturing the spirit of an event :)

Thank you Laura! And thank you guests! You made Wonderland Wonderfilled.

More Alice party ideas here on my pinterest page.

Easter brunch and New Things

 Ted was away on Easter weekend, so we tried our best to have fun without him (but missed him). On the way home from church Dorathea invited all the neighborhood kids to an Egg Hunt in our yard.  I was expecting lunch guests so I darted around the kitchen while they darted around the yard hiding eggs.

When lunch and egg hunts finished.  We lounged in the back yard with friends.  I have a plate of homeaid cream cheese danishes to my left and a giant latte in front of me.  Backyard heaven. Life is better when the dishes are far away.

Next selfies on the back porch;

Ted and I are praying about lots of jobs and things this April. Seeing new things on the horizon. We are hopeful and full of faith. Things are not easy (don't be deceived by pretty photos!) but life is hard and good, frightening, but I refuse to be afraid. Hopefully soon I won't be so vauge!

"She laughs with no fear of the future" Proverbs 31

Jesus has conquered all my fears.  He lives and so I live. I choose to live in the brave and the beautiful.

Happy Easter.