March 08, 2015

Celebrating Emma


On the evening before her 14th birthday, I went into Em's room to say goodnight, the words stuck in my throat, my eyes a little teary, full of sadness that my baby is not a baby anymore. She knows her Momma and said "It's ok, Momma. I will be the same girl tomorrow that I am today." A. Why must she be wiser than me? and B. She was absolutely right.


Her actual birthday included lunch at her favorite restaurant, antiquing and buying a new party dress. Dinner was steak, mushrooms, sweet potato fries and birthday lemon pie because my girls are weird that way. Presents included lots and lots of books, an aqua Ikea cart to hold more books, an embosser to mark her books and a tambourine. Quirky kid.


Saturday night was her tea/slumber party. She requested everyone come in a costume. She has not outgrown playing dress up. She actually said to me, I can't decide if I should wear my ball gown, my madhatter hat or dress like a pirate. Clearly she chose the hat and her new party dress. This is my life. I promise you I never know what she will be wearing when she comes down to dinner.


One of my favorite parts of the party was watching the girls faces when they walked into the dining room. We have developed a bit of a reputation with parties so their expectations are pretty high. I think I might have to retire after this one.


We had three courses: lemon poppyseed scones, cranberry orange scones, lemon curd and fruit, followed by finger sandwiches: pbj, orange marmalade and cream cheese on cinnamon bread and chicken salad with sugared pecans on croissants and the grand finale was madeleines, Emma's favorite tea cookies (Trader Joe's Speculoos) and cream puffs. We also had tea with each course. Also, there was a bell involved and I waited on them hand and foot and said the words M'lady a lot. And curtsied maybe more than was called for but it's just plain fun to do and I find that I don't get enough opportunities for that in every day life.


These parties are a lot of work but when your daughter says to you "How many moms out there do you think are as awesome as you?" it makes it all worth it.


But now it's over and I'm feeling so content. This was a long week and I spent more time in the kitchen than you can imagine but it is my place for showing love to the special people in my life and a lot of my people needed some extra love this week. It's possible I might boycott cooking next week to even things out a bit.


For now I am left with a house in need of some love, the excitement of a new week with not a lot on my to do list and a weather forecast that I have been dreaming of since January.

35 comments:

  1. Oh, thank you so much for sharing all of the details! It was wonderful, what a special party. I keep looking back at the pictures to soak up all of the details. And, your Emma is such a gem.

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  2. What a wonderful party...and Happy Birthday to your Sweet Emma. She looks just darling, by the way.
    Love that last picture-even the cat looks worn out. lol xo Diana

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  3. Happy Birthday to you daughter! What a delightful tea party!

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  4. You are indeed blessed my friend. So charming, every bit of it!

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  5. absolutely spectacular!! downton abby goes to funky town by way of the rabbit hole in wonderland. i am sure emma and her friends had the time of their lives. as a mom, i applaud you for and appreciate all of the time & love you put into this event. do not be surprised if people start trying to hire you to plan their parties!!

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  6. Can you adopt me? When can I move in? Love the fact the girls wore costumes - we definitely don't get enough opportunities to do that! I love the tea-themed meal. Everyone can taste a little bit of everything, and enjoy the conversation as the courses are served. Well done Mom!! She will remember this forever!

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  7. Way to go you awesome Mom! When you hear those words from your child, you know you have done a great job and she will remember those birthdays forever. Everything looked wonderful! And your daughter is lovely and so special. :) Kit

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  8. That is one awesome party! You really went all out. I think you deserve the Mother of the Year award! Emma has good taste with the Speculoos tea cookies from Trader Joes...those are one of our faves, too.

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  9. oh wow so fun and beautiful, i love everyone in their costumes, it just all looks like so much fun, you did an amazing job, these will be such treasured memories for her.

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  10. Sounds like a grand party was greatly enjoyed! Way to go Mom!

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  11. Wow!! Fabulous party! Your girl is gorgeous and love her ideas and sense of style! Happy Birthday to Emma! 14 is going to be another amazing year!

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  12. That was a marvelous party, Jennifer, I'm thinking I may need to do one for my daughter's 40 th next week. You are such a good momma. 👸

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  13. Happy birthday to your lovely girl. What a great mum you are for organising such a fab party xx

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  14. What a beautiful birthday party that your daughter will always remember. The fireplace is awesome with the knotted handkerchiefs, flowers and pompoms - all colour-themed. Tea and scones, cream puffs and everyone dressed up for the event. Absolutely fabulous!

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  15. Happy Birthday to Emma! What an amazing party! I know what you mean, as my little girl is about to turn six next week. Oh, why do the have to grow up?? I want another baby, but it would have to grow up too!

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  16. Emma sounds so delightful and a lot like my girls at that age. I used to go into their rooms on the eve of their birthday and scoop them into my arms all teary eyed and mushy and tell them I had to hug and kiss my 14, 15, 16, 17....year old for the last time. Lol
    I love the vintage hanky and pom pom garland on your mantel, and the whole party sounds delicious. I can see how you got your reputation for a fabulous party, I am sure Emma will look back on the thing syou do for her with so much joy :>) Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl!

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  17. What a sweet, lovely daughter you have - she must be such a joy to you.
    Looks like a fabulous party; you did an amazing job!
    p.s. - Love the photo of the sweet kitty cat being all comfy cozy on the blankets!

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  18. Happy Birthday Emma ~ What a sweet party.

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  19. Sweetness . . . you . . . Emma . . . the decor . . . the costumes . . . all sweet!

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  20. oh jen, everything turned out perfect... so many special touches, the delicious menu that you planned, the whole atmosphere was just lovely... happy, happy birthday to your sweet emma! she'll never forget these moments and time spent with you!

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  21. Jen, everything was absolutely DIVINE in every way! I wish I could have dressed up as a servant straight out of Downton Abbey and helped you serve at such a FABULOUSLY DELICIOUS tea party! I loved the comment Em said about you being an AWESOME Mom, for you truly are an awesomely SPECTACULAR Mom!!! Cheers! Well done, M'lady.

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  22. Jen, it looks so beautiful, the perfect vintage tea party. I can just imagine how much fun you all had. I made a vintage tea party for my baby Paperdoll a few years back and teen Paperdoll & I where the servants for the day, we just couldn't stop giggling. They still talk about it today. It lovely to hear that Emma appreciates all your work. It's these kinda moments that memories are made of. Thank you for sharing the photos with us of your & Emma's special day.
    Anna x

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  23. A fabulous party for a beautiful and lucky girl :)

    I think I need someone to throw me one of those!

    xo,
    rue

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  24. Such a lovely party! What a blessed daughter you have and what a blessed mom you are to have such a beautiful daughter. I love that she still enjoys the magic a dressing of and being a girl...some girls want to grow up too fast and the mis

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  25. I hit send too early!! .....they miss the magic of just being a kid.
    Enjoy your day!

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  26. What fun!!! I love that your daughter requested guests to wear a costume - everyone loves a chance to dress up and it makes for a fun atmosphere. Your daughter is going to have so many lovely memories of her childhood. Happy birthday Emma.

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  27. Oh my, it all looks divine! Such memories your dear girl will have. Well done! :)

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  28. Oh my, it all looks divine! Such memories your dear girl will have. Well done! :)

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  29. Oh my, it all looks divine! Such memories your dear girl will have. Well done! :)

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  30. This is just pure loveliness….you have given me great hope that my girls will grow up to be surrounded by such friends and beauty.

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  31. wow!! So gorgeous, you are an awesome mama!!

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  32. What a magical day you helped create for your lovely daughter! Best of all are the memories you've made. :o)

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  33. How wonderful. My daughter loves similar things. I hope your daughter always keeps that magic.

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  34. Hello guys!! I am planning to celebrate my mother’s birthday and I invite her all friends at New York city party venue. I also want to do some different arrangements for her party. So, please help me and suggest some ideas.

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