Or alternate titles for this post could be
"When Your Friends Help You Throw a Birthday Party"
This was one sweet birthday party. It has never been so apparent that Mimi and I are surrounded by the best, most supportive group of friends then on Saturday.
Between Bri volunteering her doll hair services and Beth offering to do nails, my mom showing up early with cheese and a chalkboard and our house brimming with three grandmas, four friends/moms of friends and 5 little girls (and one baby)...we were engulfed in love.
As Mimi grows up, I see how important her having a strong support system is. It truly does take a village to raise a girl. And I know that my friends are her surrogate mamas. I love that. It was all very "Ya Ya Sisterhood."
God has blessed us. xo
****
The theme of this party was an American Girl Doll Spa/Tea Party (without tea).
The girls all brought their dolls to get their hair done and then also got their own nails painted. It was pink, dolls and girl all over.
We loved having Brooke, Emerson and Baby Mercy to join in the mix. It was Mimi's special request :)
The Mamas and the Grandmas didn't mind having a sweet newborn to hold either...
How about these Grandmas?!?!
(I made them hold dolls :)
The food at the 10:00 am party?
STEAK.
Mimi's favorite.
(and asparagus, donuts, cupcakes, cheese, cheese rolls and punch).
Emerson just fell in like one of the big girls...
There were all kinds of homemade signs that Mikaela and Mimi had made...
(American Girl Height).
We were all super impressed with Bri's hair skills...
(No, those aren't Baby Mercy's feet...even though it's set up to look like that! Although when Bri was holding her and I walked by, I was sure Bri was cuddling a doll. Nope! Just adorable Mercy :)
(The nails ala Beth was Mimi's favorite part...apparently she needed a good spa day. First grade is taxing).
I mean, are you kidding me?!
PRESENTS!
Mimi made a quick amendment to her "No Boys Allowed" rule when Bode and Daddy walked in at the end.
Mimi's friends and her grandmas know her well...she got two girl/matching doll outfits and money to save up for Maryellen...the newest American Girl Doll.
Then, a dog-themed things, Shopkins, Monster High Stuff...to name a few :)
The Grand Finale of the party was the girls going up to "shop" in the pretend store upstairs...
I love how E was just one of the big girls...
Bri, doll hair extraordinaire!
The whole gang!
Then it was time for the dolls to have a picture...look at these two nervous nellie mamas here, critiquing the shot...
(my favorite part of this...how serious the girls were taking it. Charlotte said, "oh gosh. Caroline's not even LOOKING at the camera!" ;)
Best party yet.
(maybe because I didn't do any of the work).
I think Mimi and I think "seven" is pretty great so far.
And we couldn't get by, without a little help from our friends. The ones near AND far.
xoxo
