A Very Merry Un-Birthday Party...Special Celebrity Guests

On Monday, I gave you a behind the scenes look at the planning and preparation that went into our end-of-the-year Miss Manners get-together, A Very Merry Un-Birthday Party. It was a major undertaking, but it was so very worth it! If you haven't seen that post, you should probably click here so you can get up to speed!

We only scheduled the party to last an hour, but it was an action packed one! We began by having a little pre-party meeting where I gave the girls their jobs and told them exactly what was going to happen during the party. (I did hold back one very important detail, which I'll share in a moment!)

The older girls were stationed outside to hold the door open as the ladies came in and to help some of the ladies out of their cars.

The younger girls were positioned inside at the door to the Fireplace Room. They took turns greeting the ladies and then seated them.

We had them seat the ladies in every other chair when possible

so that the girls could then sit between the ladies.

The girls loved the privilege of escorting the ladies to their seats.

Once everyone had arrived and was seated, I welcomed them and explained what an un-birthday is. Your un-birthday can be celebrated any and everyday except your actual birthday! Since July 19th was no one's actual birthday, we were all celebrating our un-birthdays. Un-birthdays should never be confused, however, with half-birthdays, which occur exactly six months after your real birthday. July 19th happened to be my half-birthday, but I still celebrated my un-birthday as well!

I reminded them that while Alice in Wonderland was written way back in 1865, the un-birthday party and song was made famous in the Disney classic film of the same name. I then explained that while they were our honored guests, we also had some celebrity guests joining us as well...

We were so lucky to have Alice (of Wonderland fame), The Mad Hatter (who kept assuring us he really wasn't mad at all!) and The March Hare (who actually has a very good sense of time - despite what many people have said) join us for our Very Merry Un-Birthday Party!

The girls were just as surpised as our older guests!

I then invited everyone to enjoy their refreshments, as well as the company. The girls were very helpful in setting up for the party - we really wanted them to enjoy themselves, as well. Nancy, the other mothers and I served and poured the lemonade. 

Of course everyone used their very best manners...

And the conversation was absolutely sparkling!

While everyone was enjoying themselves,

our special guests made their way around the room taking pictures and signing autographs!

One of our young ladies had come dressed in her own Alice in Wonderland costume!

Everyone was anxious to get a little face time with our pretty Alice!

After making their rounds, Alice, Mr. Hatter and Mrs. Hare

had a seat at the head table.

They enjoyed the refreshments as much as anyone!

I must take a minute to tell you about our special guests. Nancy's husband, Dennis Itson, played the Mad Hatter. Their daughter, Haley Scott, portrayed Alice, and the March Hair was one of our Miss Manners moms, Veronica Ours. Nancy had made the costumes years ago for another party she hosted and also used them during Trunk or Treat at church one year. (I told you she goes all out, no matter what!)

(Haley also makes a wonderful Cinderella. My friend, Melissa Lester, once hosted a princess-themed party for one of her girls. All the little girls dressed up in their princess costumes. We all gathered at the foot of the stairs and Haley descended dressed as Cinderella in her blue ballgown. I am not kidding you when I tell you the girls were speechless and all of us mothers had tears in our eyes! Jewell had her picture made with "Cinderella" and kept it on her dresser for years. She was much older before she realized (and I admitted) that Haley had played Cinderella!)

Before making his way back to Wonderland, The Mad Hatter proposed a toast, asking us all to raise our glasses in honor of our collective Un-Birthday!

After they had left, my daughter, Jewell, took a moment to talk about Miss Manners from the girls' perspective and how they have enjoyed getting to know the ladies and learning from them.

My niece Mary Reagan lead a prayer.

This was the last party for our 6th grade girls, including these two.

However, Jewell and Mary Reagan will continue to participate as mentors for the younger girls.

One of the perks of being related to Miss Manners!

This party was so special to me because many of the ladies that attended are women that I have gone to church with since I was four years old. These are the ladies who have watched me grow up and have influenced me throughout the years! I was so grateful to get to spend the afternoon with them, and I am so glad the younger girls are getting to know them, just as I did, so many years ago!

*******************

I'm so glad you stopped by my neck of the woods!

Please take a moment to sign up to receive new posts by email.

I wouldn't want you to miss one crazy thing...