Tea Time!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Pip Pip Cheerio!

Last Friday, Bethany and I went to a garden tea party at The American West Heritage Center. Oh my goodness, so much fun! My friend Teresa had learned that at the center twice a week, they have tea parties for little girls and their moms. So we decided to join her and her daughter Aly, along with our friends Erin and Ellie and cousins Annette and Cambrie. The first thing we did was choose a hat:



All of Bethany's friends found a hat right away that they liked, but Bethany had to try on every single hat before making her decision(s). I say "decision(s)" because she switched out hats about three times! (Bethany reserves the right to change her mind, and often does.) After the hats, we played some little games on the lawn. The tea party was in the shady lawn of the farmhouse, and it was SO pleasant! A nice breeze, blue sky, nice shade--perfect!

After the games, Miss Rachel and Miss . . .um . . .I forget her name ("God Bless What's-Her-Name") taught the girls how to set the table and then taught the girls proper manners. Then Miss Rachel and Miss . . .um . . .walked around with yummy sweets and asked the girls if they'd care for a cake, or whatever, and the girls were expected to say, "Yes, please," or "No, thank you." Charming!



Tea for two, and two for tea (that is, lemonade):



Little Ladies:





A peacock, his peahen and five sweet chicks all wandered around the yard, lending just another fun element of the atmosphere:





After "tea," Miss Rachel and Miss . . .um . . .helped us make paper dolls.



Bethany colored the face of her paper doll blue. She's very cute, but looks like she could use a little oxygen. Anyway, after the tea party, we decided to explore the Heritage Center a little and enjoy some of the attractions. We especially liked the train:



Running around with the goats (Bethany actually kissed them goodbye when we left, ew!)



Riding the ponies (Bethany named hers "Burra.")




Playing pioneer games (I almost turned into one of those moms who say, "You'll poke your eye out with that thing!" But I refrained. But I also watched closely!):





Playing in the little pioneer cabin:



And running through the sprinklers--which I'm sure the real pioneers would have appreciated greatly on hot July afternoons!



All in all, a very delightful afternoon! I totally recommend it!