Five candles for a fairy princess

When I took Ana home this evening, her mom, Victoria, ran out the door and flagged her arms to get my attention. I rolled down the window. She said something in Spanish, and Ana turned and walked back toward the car. Her adorable little sister, Natalia, stood on the porch jumping up and down, waving, and shouting, “Hi, Miss Jeanne!”

I laughed and greeted Natalia. Ana leaned into the window. “Would you like to come to my sister’s birthday party tomorrow?”

I glanced back at the porch. Victoria smiled and nodded. Natalia beamed. I called out to her. “You’re having a birthday, Natalia? How old will you be?”

She held up five chubby fingers.

For the briefest moment I calculated how much I have left to do on this crazy choreography project and the deadline looming over me. I’d planned to devote the whole day to it tomorrow. “What time is the party?”

Ana relayed the question in Spanish, then turned back to me. “3:30.”

I grinned at Ana, then past her at Natalia and Victoria. “Sure. I can come. Thanks for inviting me.”

Victoria’s smile communicated her pleasure. Natalia’s enthusiasm made the Energizer Bunny appear lethargic. Ana chuckled, waved, and said, “Bye. See you tomorrow.”

This party will most likely be a grand affair with many guests of all ages. Eager to find just the right gift for Natalia, I drove straight to Wal-Mart and began scoping the toy aisles. I’m a bit out of touch with the latest in kindergarten chic, but I decided to browse until something caught my fancy. I considered a Cinderella cell phone that lights up, rings, and has its own sparkly carrying case, but I just wasn’t sure.

Then I saw it. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes! The sweetest, most whimsical fairy dress ever! The bodice is fuschia and bright orange with a sequined butterfly on the front. The skirt consists of overlapping gossamer strips of cloth, like pixie-dusted flower petals in shimmery colors the rainbow only imagines in its dreams. And, best of all, it has wings! Pink and yellow netting over wire frames with gold trim and sequins. It’s perfect.

A gown fit for a fairy princess deserves proper accessories, so I also bought dress-up shoes. Silver high heels with a clear fushia band, topped with bursts of flower-shaped, multi-colored beads.

I hope Natalia is as enchanted with this stuff as I would have been at her age. Heck, I’d buy the outfit now if it came in my size!

The choreography project will come together. They always do. Meanwhile, it’s been a long time since I received an invitation to a small child’s birthday party. I’d almost forgotten the magic, but it all came rushing back with the sequins and shimmers.

Tomorrow afternoon I’ll be celebrating a five-year-old fairy princess named Natalia. I hope your day holds something half as sweet.