The Party

Before my sister died (I still can't believe I'm writing those words) she and I had been planning a birthday party for her daughter, my niece, Serena. Serena hadn't had the best of luck with birthdays in years past, and my sister asked if I could throw her one over on my side of the state because I'm "better at that kind of thing". Haha. :) My niece is very girly and princess-y, my sister always joked that she was raising my daughter by mistake. So it worked out perfectly that I could throw the perfectly pink party that I would have totally wanted (ok, still want) for her! It was going to be the best! And in no time my sister was having just as much fun as I was (or more!) planning the details. We texted back and forth all the time about length of necklaces for the princesses, what color of jewels for the table, and how much tulle we needed. It was going to be everything Serena would have wanted. And it was a surprise! Hehe!

When I got the news that she died, just a week before my niece's birthday, I assumed the party would be off. And the strange thing was, in the back of my mind, I kept dreading telling my sister that I wouldn't be able to throw the party. I kept thinking: "Oh man...I really need to call her and explain. She's going to be so disappointed."
When we went to visit the family, my sister's husband asked if we could go ahead and have the party still. I was delighted, of course. We all knew how important it was to her. But it was awfully painful to work on it without my sister there. I kept wanting to text her excitedly to show her the glitter covered pink diamonds I made or call with questions or show her what I bought her as a present. Every moment spent on it was a reminder that she was gone. And it killed me that she wouldn't get to see it. I think every decoration there had some amount of tears on it before it was hung up.
But I got it done! And it was pink and sparkly and princess-like and fabulous. I covered all my furniture in pink fabric and hung sparkles and hears and diamonds everywhere. It was pretty magical. Everything was ready for the birthday Princess!

We had a store bought cake, because I don't make cakes anymore. :o(

And an ice cream bar with delicious toppings. :O)

And alllll the presents. So. many. pink. presents. :O)

And a birthday throne, obviously.

When she walked in we all shouted "Happy Birthday, Princess Serena!!" and this was her face. Haha, I love it!

All the princes and princesses got to work right away dressing themselves in tons of royal garments. I was up until the wee hours beforehand hot glueing capes because my last sewing machine needle was broken, and it was totally worth it! There were tons of dresses and crowns and gloves and boas and swords and helmets and shields. Hung on a pink garment rack. With pink hangers. 

My sister hand made gorgeous necklaces for the girls, wire-wrapped amulets for the boys, and a billion rings for everyone. She was AMAZING at the jewelry making. Seriously, amazing.

We set up two obstacle courses outside, one for the princesses, to earn their royal jewels...

And one for the princes and knights to earn majestic amulets and signet rings. 

My nephew, Alex: :O)

The kids had so much fun, and of course, the princesses wanted to go through the boys' "dangerous" course afterward, which was adorable.

Then it was present time! She had a lot. of presents. :o) We had to make up for all the years before, you know...

I convinced my family that we needed to buy her an American Girl Doll. :O) Might have been living through my niece juuuuust a little here, but hey. It was a special day. We picked it up at the AG store in Lynnwood, and oh my goodness is that place fabulous! It's like they designed it just for me!!

We got the one that looked just like her. With a matching outfit, which is so cute. My sister in law took this adorable photo of her little sunburned face with her new doll. :O) My sister would have loved this!!

Then the kids all decorated paper crowns while singing Frozen songs at the top of their lungs. It was so, so sweet.

Of all the parties I've thrown, this one takes the cake for how much fun the kids had. I would you could have seen them all dancing and flitting around singing and sword fighting and laughing.
I love this photo of 'Rene-bean and Paige. I hope they'll grow up to be best friends. :O)

My niece and nephew had a blast! And Serena let me know that this was her "best birthday ever", which just made me want to cry. They stayed the night and we took them to the water park the next day, where they also had a blast. At one point, while showing me his swimming skills, my nephew said: "Mom, look! Uh...I mean, Aunt Disney, look at this!" and I thought my heart was going to just disintegrate. It was definitely the most bittersweet couple of days I've ever had. But I really enjoyed having them here. I love those kids so much. And I think my sister would have loved the party. I really wish she could have been there.

On a different topic, thank you all so much for your kind comments and emails. I really appreciate it. I really, really do.

Love you so much,

Disney