One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Seven

That number is how many days it took me to get the courage to prepare for a 13th birthday party with eleven girls.  I believe I have subconsciously been preparing for this day since July 19, 2007, because it is too ironic that on the morning of Alyssa's 13th birthday, I awoke to the sighting of a grey hair.  My second one ever, it had been 512 days since I spotted the first one.    

Anyway, this post isn't about me, so here is how the day came to be.  Back in September, I began thinking about a party for Alyssa since I have never hosted one for her.  I tried to make the nasty thought go away, but it wouldn't, so I began entertaining the idea. 

I really didn't want a pizza and ice cream and rowdy scene, instead we had an Evening of Elegance for the young ladies.  Because Lys likes teal right now, here are the invitations I sent out to 13 girls in the Beehive age group (12/13).

Before I can continue, I must say, I am thoroughly IMPRESSED that these girls were able to keep this secret from Alyssa.  I asked the mom's to keep it a secret from their daughters for as long as possible, but even this last week, I know there were at least two occasions when they could have slipped up.  I get teary eyed when I think of well they honored me by keeping my special event a surprise!

I began reaching out to all my friends and family and ended up borrowing all these items and receiving help from so many wonderful people, THANK YOU MY LOVELY FRIENDS!!!!

The Malm Family - silver serving dishes and napkin rings

Auntie - cake frosting instructions, real bakery coloring paste, frosting tips, frosting turn table, sprinkles

Sister Kathy - gave me some key party details

Sister Lisa - organza chair bows

Sister Chris - chair covers

Sister Barbara - utensils for 11 and table cloth

Sister Cami - table cloth

Sister Camille - toasting flutes

Sister Cathy - sheer curtains

Sister Laura - china

Sister Jana - water goblets and a chair

Sam - powdered sugar and a chair and 2 hours of help setting up

Sister Mary - serving dishes, invaluable resource on connecting me to so many others

Brother Phil - served the girls as a 'waiter' for over 2 hours

Sister Stephanie - cut and styled Alyssa's hair and entertained her, was able to get her dressed for her own party, without her even realizing it!

Here is Alyssa getting scared out of her mind, she looks like she is about to cry.

 She wouldn't make eye contact with anyone for about a minute, it was odd indeed.

It took her awhile to understand that she wasn't going to dinner with dad, that it had all been a 'story'.  This was her party and dinner was going to be here!

Here is the place setting.  The tree is an ornament and party favor and also the place card holder.  All the girls were addressed as Lady.  The suckers in the napkins were supposed to be party favors, but when I wasn't paying attention, they somehow became one of the appetizers.

The girls were greeted at the door with sparkling cider flutes and quiche appetizers.  They all seemed to love it and we overheard, "this is the fanciest thing I have ever been to."  That was a sweet compliment from Lady H.

Lovely Ladies

the handsome waiters

Talk about a happy birthday girl

 The ladies did amazing when they considered shopping for Alyssa.  It was so fun to see how the personalities came out in those choices.  The outdoorsy friend gave her a backpacking towel and wool socks.  The artsy friend gave her a sketch book.  The girly girl gave her perfume.  She really received the most beautiful collection of genuine gifts and so many took care to remember her favorite color!

Later the girls danced, yep, my house was a bumpin'... I couldn't believe how far I had come in 1,237 days.  I loved having the girls in my home. 

BUT my biggest accomplishment may just be the personalized banner that I made.  I stayed up till 2:30 am one night enjoying the deep love that I was experiencing for Alyssa, while making it. 

like mother, like daughter

Timeline

2:45 - Troy dropped her off to have her nails done

3:30 - Stef texted her with an 'emergency' babysitting need, Alyssa replied no that had swim practice

4:00 - When Alyssa got to Stef's, Stef had to pretend that she never got the message that Alyssa was still coming and instead got another babysitter, but since she had cancelled her client, she had room for Alyssa to get her hair cut right then!  How convenient! (Apparently, Alyssa was not amused) 

5:00 - Stef pretended she had received some 'used' clothes from the neighbor girl, that Alyssa may like since her daughter would take years to grow into them. 

5:10 - We told Stef to tell Lys to stay dressed up so that she could go to dinner with her father.

5:45 - Stef dropped off Lys at our house

It did go perfect and I am so grateful to our friends for helping us.  We couldn't have done it without them. Words can't express how much this experience meant to our family in so many ways.

Happy Birthday My Lovely Lady Daughter!