Olive turned six on Wednesday, and I still can hardly believe it. To celebrate in a small and simple way, we invited a few of her friends over for a small garden party with hot tea, fresh blueberry scones (a recipe coming tomorrow), and birdhouse painting. Although I had originally imagined an outdoor table with spring flowers, we improvised when winter weather re-appeared and gathered some green life to the table instead.
The morning began with the loud clatter of pretend play together. Every once in a while, my sister and I would hear a few of them jet-setting to Asia or another discussing working at an orphanage or baking a cake for her friend–all in a dramatic plot of course–and we would laugh. Passion and imagination are such a gift in children, always reminding us anything is possible.
Later in the morning, as the girls gathered around the table, their interactions evolved into a surprisingly soft conversation and laughter over tea and eventually into the quieter focus of painting. Liam and Burke volunteered to help, originally offering to be the court jesters; instead they dressed in their bowties and Sharpie mustaches and settled to help by serving tea, food, and towels. Their generous spirit blessed me and their littlest sister alike, and by the time everyone left, our full hearts and stomachs needed naps.
Comments
that photo of your boys!! They are so sweet. Love this beautiful gathering.
Thank you, sweet Kaylan. This was the first birthday party for Olive since her first birthday, so I’m grateful she has a little something to remember now. And the boys, well, I love who they’re becoming more and more every day.
So sweet and innocent…love it and love that the boys got involved too.
Thank you. I really loved that the boys participated, too–such a treat for the girls.
What a simple, beautiful gathering Bethany.
Ronnie xo
Thank you so much, sweet Ronnie. It really just that. x
Oh my goodness Bethany! This looks so sweet. And the boys dressed up and being the girls waiters is just too much!!
Isn’t it? When the girls took easily to the role and started bossing them around, they might have regretted the decision. ;)
So fun! Are the boys serving the girls?? Love it!
Yes! It was so very thoughtful of them. Although the girls might have enjoyed it too much and began giving oodles of orders. Oh dear.