LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Parks and Rec's Teddy Bear Tea reaches whole new level of fun


Designers craft their teddy bears' T-shirts Photo Vera Kochan

Set under a graceful white tent surrounding the entire patio of the Hacienda de las Flores, the Teddy Bear Tea was a magical event for young children and their families. Not even the on-again-off-again rain could dampen the glow of the beautifully lit surroundings and the delicate sounds of the water fountain that accompanied the background music of Disney jazz tunes on the sound system.

The Feb. 5 party, put on by Moraga's Parks and Recreation Department, cost $40 per person, and each child was able to take home a sizable teddy bear as a souvenir of the day's theme. Guests were encouraged to dress in party attire which added to the festive occasion's ambiance.

The town's Recreation Supervisor Jasmine Bateson, Recreation Coordinator Donald Scully, Part-Time Administrative Assistant Mellissa Church, and members of the Moraga Youth Involvement Committee kept the event running smoothly for the 59 attendees (more than half of which were children) that also included a few dads and brothers.

Round tables were set with springtime-green colored table cloths, silverware, white plates, paper napkins decorated with a teddy bear, and black tea or herbal tea bags tucked into white, crockery-style mugs. Pastel-hued crockery tea pots full of hot water were brought to the table for a parental serve-yourself experience. Apple juice was also served.

The crown jewel of any tea party is always the three-tiered plate stand as center piece, containing delectable finger foods. On the menu were a wide array of tea sandwiches consisting of: cream cheese and cucumber, egg salad with sweet red pepper, ham and cheese, pinwheels containing either turkey, roast beef or ham, and vanilla cream cheese with strawberry jam on sweet potato biscuits. Additional offerings were: miniature Quiche Lorraine or Quiche Florentine, assorted cheeses, fresh strawberries, and grapes.

As if that wasn't enough, a wide assortment of small desserts dazzled the eyes and taste buds of the "pinkies up" crowd: mini-cupcakes, brownies, and shortbread cookies, along with madeleines, miniature blueberry or chocolate chip muffins.

Once guests had their fill, the children scampered off into the Fireside Room in order to decorate a small white T-shirt for either their white or brown stuffed teddy bear to wear. The craft table was loaded with multi-colored felt pens, sticker gems, ribbons and more. Most of the kids wasted no time in naming their new members of the family. Kenna, 5, named her bear Diamond and drew pink hearts onto the shirt with the additional touch of a pink diamond sticker gem (ergo the name). Maria, 5, decorated her bear's shirt with blue marker designs that would put Versace to shame. Her bear, Mia, is now quite the fashion plate.

The Parks and Recreation Department's 2023 Spring Activity Guide is just around the corner. Be sure to check out all of the upcoming new activities along with old favorites.