Tea and Awards
Bella's birthday party is tomorrow (can you say 'excited' !!) but the two of us had a little party on her actual birthday.
Because I had been ill all weekend I hadn't been able to get out to get the bits and pieces that I wanted to decorate the house for her. So the night before I pulled out some vintage linens and tea sets, plus the bunting that I made for her first birthday and decorated for a pink tea party.
I also managed to make some chocolate cupcakes for her instead of a birthday cake (she's still unsure about the whole cake situation after not being able to eat it before).
Instead of tea I filled the tea cups with raisins, grapes and chocolates. And spread her pink wrapped parcels all around the kitchen.
When she came downstairs she was so shocked that she didn't want to go into the kitchen at first and just sat on the stairs (she's so much fun to decorate for).
After opening her presents and dancing around the kitchen (her, not me!), we spent the rest of the day playing with new toys and eating junk (me, not her).

On another lovely note, I've been the very proud recipient of a number of 'You Make My Day' Awards recently, but have been horribly slack in thanking the very kind people that have given it to me.
So thank you so much to:
Ainslie
Anna
Juliette
Maria
I really appreciate it!
Haven't said hello for a long time but I do drop by and see how you are quite often. So glad you're all well- Bella's photos are lovely. Hope she had a wonderful birthday.
Posted by:Azma | February 08, 2008 at 11:08 PM
What an adorable tea party. I recently gave my friend a shabby baby shower. It was so pretty. We had so much fun!
Posted by:Carla | February 08, 2008 at 11:12 PM
It looks like you two had a very good time. What a sweet mom!
Hey and congrats on the magazine feature there in the last post. So cool.
Posted by:meg | February 08, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Oh how sweet and how cute that she was so overcome she couldnt go into the room. I love the photos and she looks so happy too.
Posted by:sue | February 09, 2008 at 07:00 AM
*** joyeux anniversaire Bella ***
no doubt you'll have a fantastic birthday party ! :)
Posted by:SierraMoon | February 09, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Oh that tea party looks so nice! The pink presents, the cupcakes, the gorgeous bunting and the excellent teacup filler ideas and the cards all in a row! So nice :D Happy Birthday Bella!!
Posted by:Rebecca | February 09, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I love your bunting and Bella's presents look gorgeous waiting to be opened, she looks gorgeous too, a lucky girl to have such a thoughtful Mummy.
Posted by:dottydesigns.typepad.co.uk | February 09, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Very sweet! xxx
Posted by:Kristy | February 09, 2008 at 10:20 AM
drums and a trumpet?..she could be a one-man-band! shall i buy her a cymbal to go on her back? have a lovely day today xx
Posted by:hazeljoy | February 09, 2008 at 12:36 PM
What a happy setting! It's wonderful and I can imagine her excitement. Isn't it funny how our little ones react sometimes? ** what's going on?? ** eyes wide open ** the little bit of quiet before the joyous celebration starts... sweet. Enjoy your girl and congrats on the soonish arrival of a new little one. XO
Posted by:misschris | February 09, 2008 at 02:17 PM
What a lovely party! Bella is so lucky to have such an amazing mother. She is going to have so many wonderful memories when she grows up.
Hope the big party went well today! Now you can just relax and wait for M-P2 to make her big entrance!!!
Posted by:Grainne | February 09, 2008 at 11:58 PM
It looks perfect Manda, I agree with Grainne, Bella is very lucky to have such a wonderful Mummy. Your bunting looks so pretty in your kitchen, how can you possibly take it down?!
Hope this weekend has been just as much fun, have been thinking of you, I have fun memories of 3yr old parties, but they can score top marks on the stressometer!
xx
Posted by:Lucy | February 10, 2008 at 08:45 AM
what a fab party...Bella is a lucky little girl...rx
Posted by:Rachelle | February 10, 2008 at 09:33 AM
My daughter saw Bella's teaparty birthday and has asked for one of her own when it comes time for hers. I'll try my best to have one as beautifully done as yours was but you've really set the bar!
=)
Posted by:michelle | February 10, 2008 at 03:27 PM
What a lovely tea party! I would have just sat on the stairs staring at it for a while too.
Posted by:Oliver Rain | February 10, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Happy Birthday Bella!
Manda you're such a wonderful Mom. Everything you did for her looks so lovely.
Best wishes***Birdie***
Posted by:Birdie | February 10, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Hello there, I chanced upon your blog while surfing the internet. I love what you do and the entry you wrote about your little girl, Bella, touched me. I've been married for a few years now and have been trying for a baby without any luck. Sometimes I wonder if God has decided that we won't be given one at all. And I've also been asking other people what good is having a child?
But after reading your entry, I think having one, regardless of what he/she brings, really makes everything worthwhile. You're lucky to have Bella and I'm sure she is for having you as her mom. =)
I hope you have a safe and smooth delivery! And a happy belated birthday to Bella! *hugs*
Posted by:Audrey | February 11, 2008 at 10:13 AM
What lovely pictures.
Posted by:Angel Jem | February 11, 2008 at 08:07 PM