Pirate Party STUFF

Dear Reader (one who must live somewhere close to me...)

I threw Sam a pirate birthday party that was such fun. And I bought all of my supplies at Michaels on clearance for 80% off. I can't return the stuff. So, I'm wondering if someone out there wants it. It seems like such a shame to throw it away!

Here's the loot:
10 pirate invitations, 14 thank you cards, 14 loot bags, 1 pkg pirate confetti, 24 Pirate plates, 3 pirate award ribbons
3 dangly decorations, 1 black and white striped sheet (purchased at DI and used as decor for a game and later as a tablecloth - has a few chocolate cupcake stains right now but that will all probably wash out.)

**close-up of hanging decorations**
1 Happy Birthday banner
1 plank used for the "Walk the Plank" game
A bunch of fake gold coins we used for our "Treasure Toss" (no pic of these... sorry!)

Let me know if you want it! Not sure what the demand here is going to be... maybe no one will be interested??? First come first serve. Come get your pirate party in a bag! :)
I just feel so badly throwing away all this stuff!

More details on the most awesome pirate party EVER once I sort through all my pics.

FINALLY Four!

Sam's been waiting for what seems like forever in Samland for this day to come. And it finally did! After a month of daily paper chain removal, and talking about it, and wishing for it, we celebrated Sam's fourth birthday last week.

It began with going to the Children's Museum with some of Sam's little friends. Sam especially loves playing with Audrey.

Zack had a fun time too, mostly playing with the plastic balls in the water. Sam also "posed" with Zack for me that morning. Ahhhhh... it's so hard taking pics of these two boys! Looking at the camera and getting somewhat of a normal smile on both AT THE SAME TIME is just too much to ask.

We had cake and ice cream that night. We celebrated with Jake and two of his friends - Jared and Taylor. Sam and Zack LOVED playing with them. Jared is Zack's new favorite person.
And now, since I think you ought to look at this a little more closely, I give you my first ever successful dairy-free egg-free chocolate cake with yummy chocolate frosting. Sweet little Sam, when asked what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, responded, "A cake that Zack can eat." Thanks to my fabulous friend Erika for giving me THIS awesome cookbook, I found a yummy recipe. And topped it all off with Gma Moorhead's chocolate frosting - made dairy free. Yum yum yum.

The true test? Jake and friends gobbled it down and couldn't tell the difference.Phfew! One of the nicest perks about discovering this cake and frosting is this: Sam's friend Piper has the same allergies that Zack has. We invited Piper to Sam's birthday party and wrote in the invitation, "Just FYI, all the food at the party - including the cupcakes - will be allergy free. Come enjoy!" I just heard from Piper's mom and dad that Piper is so excited for Sam's party. She has never been able to eat the cake or cupcakes at a friend's birthday party before. She has been showing everyone her invitation and even sleeping with it at night! So cute. And, on the other hand, ***I sure hope Zack outgrows these allergies someday!***

Flashback: My birthday

For my birthday this year, my sweet hubby planned a weekend away! His parents and sister Rach watched our boys while we had a blast downtown. We left Friday night and came back Sunday morning. It was such a fun weekend of lots of uninterrupted sleep, shopping, thai food, a movie, walking around the Gateway, watching the Angels lose, and having an otherwise wonderful time.

The following Monday, my actual birthday, I wasn't expecting much. I mean, we already celebrated, right? Well, Matt came home early from work with THESE little gems from a new cupcake place I've been dying to try - Mini's.

Sam helped me eat them of course. Thanks for a fabulous birthday weekend, schweeeethaaahhhhht! You sure know the way to my heart . Gourmet cupcakes.