Perfect Pretty Princess Party

Cousin De got married on April 9th to Brad. It was a private ceremony but on July 9th, they had a reception with their friends and family to celebrate their nuptials. We were lucky enough to be invited.

My only hope for the day, aside from no meltdowns from Sean, Lucy or myself, was to get Lucy in a dress. Knowing Lucy's lack of love for dresses, why would I push such an agenda? Well, De had shared with me  that the young ladies in attendance would be seated at a Princess Table and would be receive their own tiaras, wands, bubbles and bracelets....such a great idea...and I really wanted Lucy to be a Princess for a day...or at least resemble a little girl....like a sugar and spice and everything nice little girl.....not that I don't love her little rough and tumble tomboy self...but now and then, I like seeing her in a pretty little dress...

From the moment we got the invitation, we talked up the Pretty Princess Party to Lucy.....trying to get her excited for it....and told her how all the girls would be in Pretty Princess dresses and how De would wear a White Pretty Princess Dress just like Princess Katherine (Kate Middleton).

Lucy be a Princess too Mama?
You bectha Lucy...and what does a pretty Princess wear?
Ummmm, Red Sox shirt!
No silly Lucy, what does a princess wear....
Ummmmm, Beatles shirt!
No!
OK, umm...a pretty princess dress?
Yeah!!! And Lucy will wear one too!
No thank you Mama......

Lucy came around........

Lucy, what does a pretty princess wear?
Ummm, a dress!
That's right...and are you a pretty princess too?
No Mama! I wear Red Sox!

OK, she did not come round straightaway.....but, she did come round..when I told her there would be cupcakes.

Mama! At the pretty princess party there are cupcakes?
That's right Lucy!
And I have cupcake?
You bet...all pretty princesses wearing a dress get a cupcake!
OK Mama, I have two cupcakes?
Sure! (De told me they were mini cupcakes, no need to give up that detail just yet)
OK Mama, I wear dress and have three cupcakes!
(I so did not see that one coming...)

My sister-in-law gave her a beautiful dress for Christmas. Pink velvet top, stain bottom with tulle over it...a proper ballerina's dress...a dress fit for a princess (or a lady in waiting as the case may be).....I pulled it out of the closet and waited for Lucy to start screaming NOOOO!!!! But Lucy was just chattering about going to the Princess Party, seeing Princess De...she did not even notice when I pulled the dress down over her head....and Daddy made such a big deal out of how beautiful she looked we even got a twirl out of her!
Dress on, check, sandals on, check...not even going to push for a barrette or bow in hair, check....

The Party was great fun - De of course looked regal and stunning, Brad handsome...and Lucy looked like a little princess! We made it almost two hours in the dress before we changed...into shorts and a T shirt of course as she refused to put on the little sundress I brought with me...as a matter of fact, we made it through most of the party with no meltdowns from any of us.....until.......

Lucy was starting to get tired and in my family, saying Good Bye is a 30 minute process....so we started to say good bye.....and the more people we stopped and spoke with, the crankier and squirmier Lucy started to get...as we were standing talking to Cousin Kay, Lucy heard someone mention cupcakes....and lost her shit.....

I want cupcakes! I want CUPCAKES! I WANT CUPCAKES!!!!!!

And then the tears and wailing came! De was quick to come up behind us and tell us the cupcakes were just coming out, go get Lucy cupcakes!!!! De and Brad: thanks for skipping "the cutting of the cake" and letting us dig in!

We said our final goodbyes. Lucy managed to eat two cupcakes as we did so, and somehow also fot two for the road!

Lucy rode home with her wand in one hand and a cupcake in the other...
Perfect end to a Perfect Pretty Princess Party!!

And to De and Brad, thank you for letting us be part of your day....and one last wish for you:

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship
And your hearts joined forever in love
May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase
May the saddest day of your future
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past
May God's blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days

Maria, the Mum