Vintage First Birthday Tea Party for Evaleigh

This past weekend we celebrated one whole year of Evaleigh Joy's life.  We had a Vintage Tea Party for her at our little townhouse in Atlanta.  So many people helped to make this day special.  (A special thanks to Karen and CJ for helping me learn how to frost a ruffle cake!)  EJ was a perfect birthday girl.  She walked around so proud of her new dress and smiled and was happy the whole time (except when she almost inhaled all of the frosting off of the top of her cupcake).  We loved watching her with all of her family and friends who came.  It was a tight squeeze in our little space but thankfully the weather was kind and we made it work.  We had all of EJ's monthly videos playing in the living room for everyone to watch.  Thank you to everyone who made her First Birthday so special!

Happy Birthday darling girl, we can't wait to see what this next year is like with you!

Cupcake: Sweet Dee's Bakeshop

Hairbow: Bow to the Queen and King

Tea cups and mugs: Anthropologie-similar

Striped Paper Straws : Target

Big Round Balloons: Balloonsfast.com

Felt Balls: Tadaa Studio Felt

the weekend

This weekend was much needed.  It kept giving and giving one wonderful thing after another. We did all of fabulous things we said we were going to do and more. 

Last night John and I sat out on the wrap around porch and watched the Sunday sun set while we read the 2nd Harry Potter book out loud to each other.  I love it when John does the voices, he makes me laugh so hard.

We drank blueberry and cherry cinnamon tea by the light of the lamp next to our swing on the porch.

I love being pregnant and I feel beautiful.  I walked in to church yesterday and slid in to the pew where my husband was already sitting, as he had been there an hour and a half earlier than me for meetings.  He has been called to be the Young Men's President in our congregation and I am so proud of him.  I snuggled down under his big arm.  He leaned in close to my ear and said, "You look beautiful." and then he gave me a squeeze.  I might have blushed a little, I love it when we still flirt.  

Thanks Mr. Murphy for making me feel like a lady...

A Tea Party (Mormon Approved)

When I was a little girl, I had a lot of energy.  I was basically the poster child for ADHD. It was so bad in fact that after my FIRST week of kindergarten my teacher called my parents on Friday and said, "I have really been meaning to call you guys and speak with you about Rachel's behavior."  Eeek!  5 days and I was already running circles around everyone!

When I had too much energy and I couldn't sleep I remember complaining to my mother and she would make me a nice hot cup of Sleepy Time Tea.  I can still remember us sneaking down quietly to the kitchen in our PJ's and momma would warm up a mug of water.  The beep of the microwave as it finished warming was almost heavenly and then we would add a little honey and I would wait not so patiently and almost always burn my tongue with the first sip.  But, it always calmed me down and the warmth on my tummy made me...

oh

so

sleeeeeepy.  

(a picture from mine and hubs tea party on Tuesday night)

So, last night when hubs and I were doing our papers we had a late night treat.  I had had this Cherry and Madagascan Cinnamon Tea at the Zimmerman's one night when I spent the night on Lisa's squeaky twin bed.  I fell IN LOVE!  I looked and looked for it everywhere afterwards and it took me quite some time to find it.

The Ingredients:

Hibiscus

natural cherry flavour

orange leaves

apple pieces

rosehips

cinnamon

liquorice root

cherry pieces

(Even the taste of these words are delicious)

*and of course a drizzle of honey in the bottom of our cups*

We bought these teacups for decorations for our wedding reception.  We got a huge assortment all for a dollar each at My Sister's Antiques in Loganville.  We put candles in side and put them in the birdcages on the tables.

(2 photos from our reception)

Last night brought me back.  I sat there and sipped my tea as John did research for his paper.  The taste was calming and it made me miss my mother.  This weekend is her birthday.  She and my sister and I are all going camping tomorrow night (like in a real tent and everything!) and then Saturday while John is at his interpreters course we are all three going to go to the temple together.  I love being with them.  We are best friends.

(I love the reflection of our chandelier in the tea)

I think I am going to make John and I a cup of tea again tonight as he finishes his paper and then we are going to tuck ourselves in to the most comfortable bed in the world.  We will throw our white down comforter up in the air and let it come down softly around us.  We will say our prayers, smooch, and John will turn off the light.  Then we drift off to sleep with warmth in our tummies.