Emory’s Madeline Tea Party

After hosting over 50 kiddos outside in the July heat for Emory’s Princess and Knight party last summer, we went in the direction of a much smaller, indoor party this year. From even before her party last year, she knew she wanted a Madeline party for her fifth birthday. So we decided on a Madeline Tea Party with a small group of her good friends. We ended up with eight little girls and it was so enjoyable to have a manageable amount of children!

Guests were greeted at the door by Madeline herself! A while back, Aunt Kat gave Emory the almost-life-sized Madeline doll she had as a kid, so we quickly deemed her ‘hostess’ for the party.We went with a Parisian theme {which turned out to be very fitting since her party happened to be on Bastille Day!} and set up a few ‘shoppes’ for guests to visit during the party…Madeline’s Dress Shoppe, Madeline’s Flower Shoppe and Madeline’s Gift Shoppe. 

At the Dress Shoppe each guest had a Madeline cape made just for her, complete with a tag! They also had red satin hairbows to match. 

The Flower Shoppe housed supplies we used to make a craft. Emory’s most favorite part of the party was the fact that we had real tea cups for everyone. Complete with a spoon to stir!

The Gift Shoppe is where the girls picked up their Madeline paper dolls before leaving, as well as bags to take home all of their goodies.

As the girls arrived, they found their places at the table {which Emory so thoughtfully assigned and set place cards out} and colored a Madeline picture.

{Taylor and Emory}{Hannah and Sallie}

{Rosie and Emory Anne}

Once all eight of our little mademoiselles had arrived we began our art project. We painted vases on our canvases…

Added stems…

And then glued paper flowers to the stems.

Everyone finished with a beautiful masterpiece to take home!

{Emory Anne and Callie}

After the paint was put away, we headed to the Dress Shoppe to put on our Madeline capes {I made the capes out of felt, which proved to be a little too itchy for a few girls. Oops!} and put in our red hairbows. Then it was time for our tea party!We served tea {pink lemonade, really}, cheese and crackers, fruit, veggies and PB&J sandwiches for the girls. {The adults had champagne, chicken salad croissants and cream cheese and olive sandwiches.}

The little girls enjoyed the lunch exactly how I knew they wouldn’t…quietly and with their pinkies up! We laughed at how well mannered they were being!

{Sydney}

Once we finished our lunch, we brought out cupcakes and sang ‘Happy Birthday’.

{Emory still doesn’t love being sung to, but instead of crying, just stares at the candle until it’s over.}

After cupcakes and brownie trifles for dessert, the girls bolted for the sunroom to play for a bit.

I begged for one picture of everyone together in their capes, and while it wasn’t easy {and the lighting wasn’t great} , I finally got one.

I can hardly believe my baby girl is five already, but it made me smile to celebrate her with a party that she absolutely loved. Thank you to each of the little mademoiselles that joined us and made it such a special occasion!