Celebrating The Queen’s Birthday With A Garden Party

How lucky is the Queen to have two birthdays? I was trying to explain to Little G exactly why she has 2 celebrations and she looked at me as if to say ‘and why don’t I then mummy?’- poor thing. Of course this year is an extra special birthday for the Queen and also for my grandmother who turns 90 in a few months. I can only hope to live that long and that my life is as full as theirs has been so far. To be able to celebrate your birthday with children, grand children and even great grand children must be the most amazing thing. I am hoping to get over to see my grandmother for her 90th but it falls around my due date so I may have to send belated wishes.

I was contacted by Next to see whether I would like to hold a little tea party with the girls, to celebrate the Queen turning 90. Who doesn’t love a tea party? I was a little nervous about suggesting a picnic outdoors as the weather has been absolutely shocking over the last few days, but thankfully the sunshine didn’t let me down in the end. We made a whole event out of it, making the cupcakes ourselves (or I should say the girls making them) and having a day outside in the sunshine. I just hope the weather sticks around for the rest of the summer, nothing worse than a wash out is there?

With the cakes made and decorated, including very special looking ones from LJ, we were ready to eat! Mr F was busy pressure washing the drive so didn’t join us but we did save him a cake or two I promise. 🙂

We laid the table, with cute little bowls filled with the girls’ favourite fruit and a large platter of jam tarts and ham sandwiches (cut into triangles of course!).

They filled up their plates and settled themselves down on the picnic blanket. I absolutely love summer as it means we are able to use bright coloured plate sets and make an occasion out of something as simple as a picnic. Just being outside makes lunch fun doesn’t it?

One of their all time favourite things for a picnic is pink lemonade. Is there anything better? LJ normally uses a sippy cup so was very excited to get to drink out of a big girl cup – one with a swirly straw too! Hurrah!!

Now I don’t always dress them in matchy matchy clothes but I adore these dresses and they felt like princesses wearing them – perfect for a tea party for the Queen then eh?

Now of course the thing they were waiting for were the cakes! If you saw our garden makeover post you’ll know that we have made the girls a little seating area. This is actually the first time they have properly used it and it was just so lovely to see it getting used. I want to make it more magical, to make it a really beautiful place to sit but I just don’t have the strength right now. We were sent the gorgeous bunting and that has made a start at least! I just need to plant up some tubs and maybe put a hanging basket on the shed.

It was so lovely being outside together and the girls enjoyed a bounce or two on the trampoline afterwards. LJ stayed in her dress all day but Little G opted to help daddy with the driveway so resembled a mud monster by the end of the day – not quite the princess she started out as! It was a perfect excuse to enjoy lunch outside though and hopefully it will be just as sunny for the Queen’s big day.

Did you do anything nice to celebrate the day?