Luke's Pirate Birthday Party

My son is OBSESSED with pirates! I knew exactly what his party theme was going to be this year. 

The walkway up to the front door...like a little map!

Once they got in there was a pirate banner (from Target) and a pirate flag (made by me).

The first thing they grabbed when they came in was a pirate map. I made the map an outline of the activities of the party. So before we started something, I would tell them "Check them map! What's next?" They seemed to like going and grabbing their maps to see where they were going next.

First on the map...Dress like a pirate! They each got a bandana for their heads, an eye patch, a spyglass, and a sword. Plus a bag to store their loot.

Next up: Breakfast! Each kid got a pirate pancake face plus milk or chocolate milk.

Next on the map: Gather coconuts! This turned into pop the coconuts (since they were just balloons) and then my husband started blasting them in the faces with the balloon air. The kids thought this was hilarious!

Next on the map: Walk the plank! The kids loved this! They kept getting in line to walk it over and over again. 

Next on the map was firing cannons at each other, which were just black balloons. I didn't get a picture of this but they threw balloons until they got bored and then started stomping on the balloons. 

Next on the map: Cake and presents! I got the idea for the cake from HERE. I made a smaller and not so fancy version. But I liked that there were cupcakes instead of a cake to slice up for the kids.

Then they fought "Captain Hook" for the treasure! Captain Hook finally admitted defeat and gave up the treasure box, filled with chocolate candy bars and coins, necklaces, Ring Pops, and all sorts of goodies! The kids filled their bags up with yummy treats.

And that was it! Then they played until their parents came to get them! I think they had lots of fun!

Need more pirate party ideas? Visit my Party Ideas Pinterest board.

Pirate Birthday Invitations

My little 4-year-old boy is obsessed with all things pirate. So when thinking about his upcoming birthday party, the theme was a no brainer.

I bought some brown kraft scrapbook paper and cut it down to the size I wanted (8.5 x 11). I made the design on my computer in InDesign and took my paper and my design to a local print shop. I was worried it wasn't going to work because the paper was so thick the printer ate one piece up! But the rest came out perfect.

I then tried to dye the paper with tea bags but I think they were too dark already, so the tea bags didn't do much. I also crumpled them up to give them an old map look. I also tried to burn the edges and I completely ruined an invitation while also almost burning my house down. If you're good with fire, go for it. If not....maybe you should avoid that. I tore the edges off the paper and rolled them to look like a pirate map.

I love how they turned out!

Mini Pallet Valentine Art

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted a project! My life seems so hectic these days! I have my two kids' birthdays coming up so I'll be posting about that soon. 

But in the meantime, Valentine's Day is coming up! I don't know about you, but I have very little Valentine decor. Here's a quick and easy project you can whip up and stick up just in time for this LOVE-ly holiday.

1. These sticks are from Michael's and I don't think they're very expensive at all. Maybe $1.50/pack? 

2. I used some wood glue to glue the sides together. I used 11 sticks but adjust to as big as you'd like.

3. I glued two sticks on the back to make it more study and to make it more like, well...a mini pallet.

4. After my mini pallet was dry, I spray painted it gray (make sure your painting area is well ventilated!)

1. I cut out a heart (just free-handed it) and then traced it onto the wood.

2. Okay, here's where I could have/should have changed it. I placed stickers on the heart so that I could paint over the stickers and then remove them and there would be a lovely "love" stenciled into the heart.

3. However, as you can see, the stickers didn't come off as prettily as I would have liked. I ended up painting over it with white but I should have just put the stickers on over the painted heart! Oh well. You can choose what you think will work for you.

And there you have it! A cute little Valentine mini pallet to put somewhere just in time for Valentine's day! 

Happy Valentine's Day!!