Eliza's 4th Birthday Extravaganza

I can't believe Eliza is 4 years old. I still remember bringing her home from the hospital like it was yesterday. I wanted to make her birthday extra special this year because I know she will remember it at this age more than the past ones. We were having trouble coming up with a good plan for her party until I came across the website for Chelsea's Tea Room. In the first moment when the music started playing "the perfect princess tea..." I knew that was what I wanted to do. I'm sure the fact that the website was designed in zebra print and hot pink (the same colors I was using in her new room) had no influence on me at all. Ha! I checked out all the information and told Eliza about it before our trip to Ohio. She was excited too, and told our family all about it. We left all the arrangements up to Dominic while we were out of town - thanks babe!

Eliza's actual birthday was on Wednesday (August 25th) so we wanted to make it special too. When she woke up in the morning, her play room was set up with all her new gifts from us and our family.

Since we were redecorating her room as our gift, our family helped with the art, chair and ottoman, etc. The castle tent is staying in the play room and its a big hit with our friends already too!

Ladybug pillow pet which Eliza asked for almost every day for weeks before her birthday. She is still excited to see the commercial, but now she points out "hers."

New shades.

 

The room is still a work in progress, but I'm loving the way its coming together!

August 25th is also National Banana Split Day, so we went to our friends house for a BYOB (Bring Your Own Banana) Play date. This was the second year in a row that we had done this. Last year Eliza just wanted to eat the banana, this year she just wanted gummy bears. Silly girl!

We played outside after our treats.

Then Daddy came home early from work and took us to Olive Garden for dinner. Eliza picked it because she loves the shells and cheese (which of course she barely touched this time).

A sweet thank you kiss after dinner.

We went home, put Audrey to bed and the three of us played Cootie. Daddy won 2 games :(

Then on Sunday we had the princess dress up tea party (say that 3 times fast). What a day...

The birthday girl.

We were so excited that we got there 25 minutes early!

But of course we just started taking pictures, which just helped to build the excitement.

Once it was finally time for the party, we went inside and started with nails and makeup. Eliza was so ready, and all the kids were curious to see what was happening.

I didn't bother trying to get Audrey's nails done, but she got a little eyeshadow and blush.

 

Our two princes got mustaches.

Then we went back to the dressing room area to pick out dresses. There were ties for the boys.

Eliza told the hostess that she wanted to be Cinderella. Unfortunately there were no blue dresses that would fit, but the hostess was so great and explained how Cinderella wore a white dress at the end of the movie when she got married. Eliza went with that. She looked so precious!

When everyone was dressed, we had the "crowning ceremony." The hostess took a wand and tapped Eliza on each shoulder, dubbing her the queen of the party. She placed an extra special tiara on Eliza's head, and passed the wand to her. Then Eliza walked down the runway to pose for pictures.

Audrey was next and Eliza tapped her, and each friend after her, on each shoulder with the wand making her a princess for the day.

Princess Eliza in the Cinderella Carriage (where she opened presents later).

Following the crowning ceremony and some pictures in the carriage, we went in to have the tea party. Each kid had their own little teapot, Eliza's was taller and extra special of course. They were all filled with lemonade when they sat down. The hostess passed out a wand to each kid and they tapped the wands on their teapots to turn the lemonade into "giggle tea" with lots of giggles to complete the magic. Daddy helped Eliza pour her first cup since the teapot was pretty full and heavy...

but she did it herself after that. They had chocolate truffles, teapot cookies and muffin tops.

All our guests...

Lily

Gabby and Logan

Callie and Laura

Megan, Alec and our friend Audrey

and my other little princess - Audrey.

We sang happy birthday and she blew out her 4 candles.

After a quick outfit change (she spilled lemonade on her dress), we had a parade outside on the sidewalk. Eliza and a few friends followed the hostess to the end and back, but most of the kids just went outside and back in when we finished. That's to be expected with mostly 2 and 3 year old guests!

Mommy and Princess Eliza

All ready to open her presents. She held on to the wand for the first couple presents before she realized she needed both hands.

All dressed in their own clothes to go home.

Success!

Eliza was asleep in the car before we got home - less than 5 minutes drive. She had a great time and she was exhausted. After dinner later, she dressed up in some of her new dress up clothes and checked out all her gifts again. It was a very long day, but so worth it!