I remember reading about how author Sally Clarkson took time to have tea time with her children for the purpose of spending intentional discipleship time with each of them. As busy as life can be, there is something precious about tea time, about the conversations and time shared over simple but special treats. Though often seen as a girly event, I’ve enjoyed having afternoon tea with my boys for years. If you’ve been reading here for any length of time, you also know that I teach an art of tea class on occasion, and appreciate the subtleties of a perfect scone.
Some of this enthusiasm for tea has trickled down to Number 4, who recently requested (unceasingly) to have a tea party with his 3 yr. old pals. I admit I tried to appease him with a pretend party or a tea party just between us…to no avail. Thus, an impromptu tea party was thrown together just in time for a few of his little peeps.
On the menu…
cranberry and almond chicken salad sandwiches
ripe strawberries
sliced colby and cheddar cheeses
chai wedding cookies
decaffeinated vanilla maple tea
sugar cubes for the tea for eating, of course!
milk
”As I placed the big (tea)pot back on the shelf, all those warm remembrances and many more warmed my heart–conversations shared, tears shed, books read, birthdays celebrated, Scripture discussed and friendships deepened. It might be an old, cracked teapot, but it held so many precious, irreplaceable memories. And through the years it had been an invaluable tool in our home for nurturing the intimate relationships that are the heart of our mission as a family.”
(Sally Clarkson, Mission of Motherhood)
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this is so super sweet! both my babes love “tea” time, but we don’t do it enough. this is a great, inspiring post to get in gear and do tea with my children again!
I know, right? Sometimes I forget that it’s so worth it to go the extra mile. Have fun at tea!
So fun! I would have loved that as a kid. You’re much braver than I am Ruth, having three year-olds drink and eat over your carpet, haha! Looks like fun was had by all.
Thankfully, everything cleaned up nicely, Renee! I host teas for adults…I forgot what 3 yr. olds are like with china.
So fun! We have tea time on occasion too, also inspired by Sally Clarkson! It’s usually Hudson who requests to have tea…he and his cousin are kindred spirits.
I’m not kidding…I think all the time, if we lived closer to Eric and Abby, we’d have kid teas together all the time! Miss you guys so much!
I absolutely love this idea! I so want to do this with my kiddos!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea and opportunity to have focused fellowship with the kids.
My littles have been waking up from their nap a little groggy and grouchy and I’ve been thinking of things to do to get them out of the funk. If I take a few moments before they get up to get it all laid and out ready it could be a great way to share some special time with them and get a nice little snack in to help carry them to dinner. Time to experiment. Thanks, Ruth!
That’s a great idea, Susan! I will forewarn you, however, that sitting still for tea and goodies is an opportunity for training…and sometimes their wiggliness and short attention span messes with our idyllic sense of tea time! Try reading a storybook, listening to the Psalms on audio, or listening to classical music as an activity during tea time. That always seems to make the time richer and more manageable!
Very cute… and the food looks so great!
amen! and this is one more beautiful reason to love you.
thanks for this beautiful inspiration!!
xo