A Butterfly Birthday Party: Celebrating Our Social Butterfly

Amelia turned six this weekend, and we had a serious birthday party today.  We are super proud of her-- of how she has weathered all of the last two year's transitions, and how cheerful, upbeat and likeable she has managed to be, through it all.  She has helped us make many connections in our new world and whenever we travel, and Jeff and I spend a lot of time being amazed by what a unique, loving and intense little person she is.  This was her first birthday away from family, and we wanted to make it special and sweet for her.

 

We invited six little girls, just hoping that at least three would come.  We were very happy that all of them could come, and it was so much (girly) fun! 

We started by decorating some wings, and then each took a turn getting a little "butterfly make-up" applied and having their hair put up in twists like Amelia's.  (I loved spending that little bit of time with each one!)

Next, it was time for a treasure hunt that  Jeff set up (he was the master of games and crafts!)

For years now, whenever I have asked Amelia what she wants, or what she wants to do for her birthday, she always starts talking about birthday cake.  To her, birthday= birthday cake.  This lemon cake is actually store-bought (gluten free, from Marks & Spencer) as it is one that I had planned to bring to her school Jubilee garden party-- (here's what happened with that.)  So it was convenient to have it in the freezer until today, when I decorated it with berries and edible flowers from our yard-- too easy!

But for Amelia, no birthday is complete without a chocolate cake.  Jeff made flourless chocolate cupcakes, and I added the chocolate frosting, berries and more edible flowers.  The girls were so surprised and pleased to find out that they can EAT certain flowers (and they did, which made me happy!)

We set up for a picnic outside...

All sorts of things I imagine butterflies would enjoy, if their mouths were a bit bigger...

When it came time for the cake ceremony, it was starting to rain, so we hustled it all back inside-- which I had decorated already, just in case.  (I am getting pretty good at living in England!)

The weather cleared again, and we went back to our party games.  This time, it was "Pin the Butterfly on the Blossom."  That was a lot of fun!

And we ended up with a nice keepsake, which is hanging over Amelia's bed now.

Next: Musical chairs!

This was a special version, with live music...

The little girls had so much fun, we did it again.  It was very telling of personalities...  Amelia is not competitive, but always had the luck of ending up right in front of en empty chair, while two other girls were fighting over a different one.  We'd have to remind her to take a seat!

And then there were all of the sweet and thoughtful gifts.

We barely made it through them, before we had to run inside as it started to pour...

Six year old girls are a lot of fun!  We were also really happy to get to meet these nice girls' parents, and hope to be able to spend more time with them (or at least their kids!)  Amelia had a really wonderful day, and now we are completely spent, and very glad, as always to have this sweet little thing in our lives.