Happy Birthday Abigail {Princess Party}

I'm pretty sure the Lord knew how much fun I would have being a mom to little girls!  I played college basketball, love to fish, and can build things with my own hands.  But make no mistake, I think life is more fun with a little sparkle!  

I love the innocence of little girls in their whimsical tutus and sweet princess costumes so when Abigail told me she wanted to have a princess party for her third birthday, I decided to go all out and make it a special day to remember.  

Decorations were simple and so much fun!  My sweet friend at work made me a tutu skirt for the craft table and I bought an obscene amount of tulle and sparkly garland at hobby lobby.  I made her banner out of princess invites that were pre-cut and hung Abigail's princess dresses and tutus throughout the house.

 I also wrapped a few princess invites around my lamps on the buffet and used mostly glass and silver for a little extra sparkle!

Of course, Pinterest has the sweetest ideas for princess party foods.  We made grill cheese sandwiches cut out as princess crowns and ballerina marshmallows.  Dee Dee made a castle cake and a princess cake.  Hello sugar!

As we watched each little girl arrive in her favorite princess costume, I got more and more excited for my big surprise.  The Learning Express is a fabulous store in Cool Springs.  I recently had a patient that worked there and she gave me the scoop on the princess scene.  I emailed the store to see if I could find a princess that would come to my house for our party and we hit the jack pot.  I hadn't met this particular "Elsa" but let me tell you, she is amazing!  She rang the doorbell and instantly Abigail was in awe!  We gathered the most adorable wide-eyed little girls into our living room while Elsa read a story and sang her song.  And then she took the girls outside to make a little snow and... "let it go" of course! I only took pictures with my phone once the party began, but these are my favorites!  

This first one is priceless.  Abigail just stared at her for about five minutes...

Every now and then, Abigail would look at me and smile as if to say " Mom!  Do you see?  It's really her!"  I would also like to point out that my super crafty brother made his niece her Elsa cape.  Thank you Uncle John!!

Elsa was sweet enough to stay and sing Happy Birthday to my little princess and take a few pictures.  We will definitely be making future trips to the The Learning Express to see her again!  You can follow them on facebook for updates and schedules on their princess story hour which is free! 

With our culture sexualizing little girls at such a young age, I am refreshed to see little girls be just that.  Little girls in whimsical dresses and little crowns twirling around and singing songs with their friends.  Focus on the Family's James Dobson touches on the recent princess phenomenon in his book "Bringing up Girls."  He talks about how every little girl wants to be pursued, feel beautiful, and know that she is valued.  I can totally relate to the downside of the princess and diva marketing strategies and movies out there today, but my heart is overjoyed when I see my innocent daughter twirling in her little dress with her sparkling shoes and her cape.  I hope to teach her as she grows up that she is a daughter of the one true King and that to Him, she is a special possession worth more than gold.  I am praying that the she feels the Lord's pursuit of her heart and that her beauty will be grounded in her identity as a daughter of Christ. 

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" 1 Peter 2:9

Abigail at three years old: 

* you love your baby dolls, stickers, and your princess castle

* you tell daddy to wash the dishes so you can have extra snuggle time with mommy at bedtime (mom score)

* you sing " let it go" at the top of your lungs at any given moment of the day
* your favorite foods are quesadillas, blueberry muffins, and applesauce 

* you can count to 10, sing your ABCs, and say your full name 

* you love to watch basketball with Daddy after your bath and one day you will      know this melts his heart. 

* you now ask for mommy to braid your hair or give you a pony tail...tear 

* you give the best eskimo kisses at bedtime

* you are learning to use the potty and will do so fully when you are good and ready! 

Thank you to everyone who celebrated Abigail's third birthday.  She felt very special and we had the best day! How adorable are these little princesses?! Happy Birthday sweet Abigail!