The Pirate Party!
Arrrrgh!!!
We had fun! It wasn't so bad after all to be a host. We got great feedback. 7 friends arrived just on time. Each child fished their pirate gear from the sharks jaws. I had a lot of fun making this guy.
I tried to paint him with a smile. The pirate gear was a felt pirate hat, eye patch and dagger, made by me for each child. It was hilarious to see their reactions when they saw the shark and then their gear. The pots and pans strung up for our 'banging wall' became a great way to announce each new pirate. Yaaarrrrr!
(Note to self. No paper clips for fishing hooks please (!!) Must I explain "The possibilities" should someone wish to run off with the pole??)
After they got their pirate gear they eagerly tried out the ship and their daggers. 
They had fun pulling the sail up and down and engaging in some swashbuckling pirate fighting.
The bubster opened a few presents. This was a sweet moment where he sat down with his friend to open his pressie and then said, "Oh tank you!" Heart burst from mum here!
Everyone had fun with the pirate photo board. I got such a kick out of painting again!
We didn't have any structured activities. They mostly ran around and played. Food was simple; just sandwiches for the kids, homemade punch, guacamole, salmon dip and salsa for the adults (and champagne). We also made some goodies. We were missing the help of a grandma with the food.
The kids seemed to enjoy battering the banging wall and fishing for their treasure through the sharks jaws.
When the timing seemed right, I directed a search through the sandpit for treasure tokens to exchange for ice cream cones.
Then we got the cake ready. 
Once everyone was sitting with their cake, I read a pirate story.
As they were leaving the party, I handed each a party bag that I made.
Each bag included chocolate coins, a bouncy ball, a finger puppet and this matching game made from an axe handle. They seemed to really like these tokens. 
So that is about it! We didn't get any really good photos unfortunately. Many shots are blurred or just not the right timing. It's hard to photograph while directing. But I guess its about the participation, not the documentation. I know they all had a great time. I feel very pleased to have pulled this off!
Happy Birthday Capt'n!
Comments
I'm now the veteran of almost 15 birthday parties for Matilda and three for Myles and still find that they like simple. This year Myles had a "Pizza & Pool" party, very easy, I didn't even have to cook for that one and Matilda wanted to take her friends to Yum Cha in the city...that was so easy, all I had to do was pay...!!! It was held in a fantastic little Chinese place right at the top of a 6 level shopping plaza...afterwards the girls wanted to shop and the three adults wanted coffee...that was easy too...!!!
You did good mate, a great job...the Bubster will remember it fondly for a long time.
Let's see some more painting now Ms.
The big red 'Little Tikes' car got a big workout - didn't get photos of that. Lets just say boys can find some pretty full on things to do with a big ride on car!!!!
Tracy if you are reading, I had a few ride on's around, and yes - fairly wild indeed!!! I managed to corral them....mostly. It was hilarious.
Gold star to you Karin. It looked really really amazing. I'm sure you crashed at the end of the day.
Standing ovation coming to you from Sydney!!!!!!!!
Were you reading the picturebook of 'How I became a pirates?'?
It's one of 'D's favorite bedtime stories.
My friend in Sydney also spent a lot of time wondering about her son's BP like you, she finally got a big success in holding Ninja party.