Recently my husband and I (Grampy and Grammy) visited our grandchildren in Texas. It was our granddaughter Allie's 3rd Birthday party. Her mom decided she should have her first tea party so she gave the "La Tea Da" Tea Party.

Prior to the party we spent several hours at her brother's baseball game. His team was in the play-offs so of course we had to support his efforts! It was so hot and windy, coming from Southern California where the weather is usually in the mid 70's with wonderful ocean breeze it was quite an adjustment. But we persevered for the sake of Nick's team!

They play the games at a large facility, near Grapevine, with several very top notch baseball fields. I was rather impressed with both the location and of course the team. Yea they won! The game took longer than we anticipated so my daughter-in- law took Allie for her first trip to the beauty salon while her younger brother Sam and I prepared for the party. Sam was a trooper cleaning tables and chairs and helping me with the decorations. We set the small cafe table in the backyard with a white tablecloth and placed a variety of chairs and stools around the table for Allie's guests. We made peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches and lemonade for the tea cups. Sam and I set the table with the rose painted porcelain tea cups for each guest and placed a purse on each chair.

She invited 5 of her little friends which included one boy. We were trying to decide what to do for the little boy as he probably would not be too thrilled with a boa, purse and hat so we added a top hat, cape and wand from the Posh Party Box Magic Party.

In place of a purse on his chair we placed the magic wand. We tied balloons to the birthday girl's chair and put the miniature tea cups for their dolls on the table. It was a bit windy so the balloons were dancing back and forth by the table.

We set up an area by the entryway that held the girl's hats, pearls, boas and dolls along with the top hat and cape for the young man. This way as each guest entered we handed them their dress up items. After much pampering Allie returned home with her new "do". She had french braids woven throughout her hair with small flowers. It was absolutely adorable. Allie then wanted to put her candles on the cake, reluctantly she let us help her spell out happy birthday with the candles.

As her little friends arrived we handed them their "goodies" much to their delight. The guests proceeded out to the backyard, in a not so orderly manner, and found their places at the table. Big brother Sam poured lemonade into each of their tea cups which made him feel so very grown up!

The guests ate their sandwiches and drank their lemonade and looked absolutely fabulous! After tea and sandwiches we sang happy birthday to Allie and had birthday cake. After cake we moved the party inside to play musical chairs. It was pretty comical as Allie kept taking her chair with her all over the room. We then had Allie open her presents - which of course all of the kids had a helping hand!

All in all the party was a great success and the guests could not believe that they were able to take all of their goodies home with them!

After the guests departed we spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool where Allie swam for the first time without "floaties"! Quite a birthday day it was! The entire family, Grampy, Nick, Sam, Mom, Allie and Grammy played a game of volleyball in the pool then Dad grilled a fabulous dinner for us all. Mom and Grammy drank Cosmo's by the pool while Dad grilled bacon wrapped scallops for appetizers. We then dined on a wonderful fillet, twice baked potato and salad.

The next day we went to another of Nick's playoff games and the team won again. Unfortunately we had to depart for the airport before his next game. It was very sad saying goodbye to the family after such a wonderful weekend - it is so hard being so far away - we just don't get to see them very often.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!