Grandma Judy's Tea Party

When a couple of our granddaughters got American Girl dolls for Christmas I thought how fun it would be to take them to lunch at the American Girl Doll Store. Then I checked the price, multiplied by 14, and decided to have my very own tea party. This was one of my favorite parts of our reunion.

I sent out invitations to all the little girls to bring a guest and join me for a party on Saturday afternoon (while Papa Randy took all the little boys on a rock climbing expedition).

While I prepared our refreshments and set tables (one for girls and a miniature table for dolls with the two new tea sets I purchased at Ikea), the girls selected their party outfits from Grandma Judy's "vast" wardrobe. Above: Natalie (with Elizabeth) in a ravishing red dress from Goodwill. The dress features a scoop neck, a red and yellow sash tied on the right side, and a sparkly red fringe around the bottom. The matching hat and earrings complement the outfit and the foo foo shoes and gloves complete the outfit.

Elise has chosen a simple flowing flowered chiffon print from Talbots. She is wearing matching crystal earrings and bracelet. Her very sheik straw colored cloche is trimmed with small flowers in matching pink and orange. Her outfit is completed with silver sandals and gloves ruffled at the wrists. Her guest, Hoppity, is color coordinated.

Clarissa (although not happy about the dressing process) looks lovely in this beautiful gown featuring yards and yards of chiffon. The bodice is navy blue velvet with puffed sleeves and Italian lace around the empire waist. Notice the pearl buttons at the neck and on the lace points. The gloves are color-coordinated with her earrings and undershirt, and her guest, BaaBaa, is also color-coordinated. To complete her outfit, Clarissa has chosen a green felt chapeau.

Next we see Nicole with her guest, Kit. Nicole is wearing a stunning shift dress made of fabric that is black with metallic gold threads intertwined. She has belted the shift with a multi-colored sash that ties in her beautiful salmon-colored sandals. The hat is also trimmed with roses in lighter shades of salmon. She has chosen black accessories. This outfit will turn heads wherever she goes as the bottom fringe swishes to and fro as she walks. Beautiful, Nicole!

Unfortunately, one of our party guests had to leave our photo shoot to throw up, but here we have Mia in a very practical outfit which could be worn not only to a tea party, but also to church or the office. The basic white dress is complemented with a lovely shawl and matching gloves. Her red straw hat is banded with a striped scarf. Notice the dainty flowered earrings and the sensible shoes.

Invitations: $6.00
Tea sets: $16.00
Refreshments: $28.00
Memories: Priceless