Ella's Samantha Mystery Party

Over a year ago, Ella's cousin Emma sent her a Samantha Mystery Party kit that she had never used, in case we could use it for one of our girls. Well Ella loved the idea, so an American Girl party was planned!

The cute and mysterious invitation were provided...

Including all the parts and how to dress. Maddie and Maycee decided to share the part of Aunt Cornelia, and Ella chose carefully which friends should be what part.

In preparation for the party, Ella and I read all of the Samantha books and loved them! They take place at the turn of the century and depict such a beautiful picture of America, as well as challenges they faced and overcame, such as industrialization, women's suffrage, and orphanages. I love that they teach such good values amidst the sweet stories. And the birthday volume gave us lots of ideas for Ella's birthday party!

At Samantha's birthday party the girls received white lace fans, so we found white paper fans with a lace pattern, and also included Samantha stickers and ice cream lip gloss. 

Samantha wore a pink party dress and bow, as well as a floral crown. I happened to have a floral crown that my mom made for me in a ballet long ago, and it looked just perfect on her. 

We had petit fours, pink lemonade, and peppermint ice cream, just like Samantha. This picture is funny because they are tasting the ice cream that their pesky neighbor Eddie added too much salt to. 

Of course we had to have the dolls ready for the party too! They were all in their best dresses.

The girls all arrived looking so pretty in their dresses and bows!

We started the mystery script first thing. Luckily they were just the right age to be able to read independently and follow along, and they all stuck with it.

The maid Gertrude brought gingerbread cookies for them to eat.

They had to decipher a secret note written in Morse code about a lady named Gerti eloping with Edwin!

They had to find clues and photographs. In the end they discovered that Edwin was the deceased sailor husband of the sad maid Gertrude, as well as the father of the orphan maid Violet! Mother and daughter were reunited and everyone lived happily ever after. The girls were so excited to figure it out!

Portrait and locket matched!

Then we headed into the other room to open gifts. Ella is a gracious and enthusiastic receiver!

We really filled these girls with sugar! They loved their little tea party.

These two brothers were a little bit difficult during the party... next time they might now be invited. Whew!

Last of all we played American Girl doll bingo. Ella and Juliet won the nail polish prizes as the same time.

Ella and Cambry are the cutest little besties.

And these 6 girls are all in the same class at school! Amazing!

It was such a fun party. I love watching my kids interact with their cute friends. We are grateful to have such good ones!