Pirate party and lessons learned

The birthday boy was happy with his party and that's what counts. I personally learned some lessons with this pirate party.

Everything doesn't have to be perfect.
Accidents will happen.
The birthday boy is perfectly happy with any cake.
High altitude matters when baking a cake.
Don't plan a bday party in the middle of a crazy, busy week. =)

All that being said...I don't have 'perfect' birthday pictures of all the decorations and such but I will share what I have. I found the cutest pirate ship cake recipe via www.familyfun.com and it was really easy to make but I didn't account for the high altitude in Colorado. I haven't had a problem with any of my other baking but cakes that require shaping and height require extra tlc here. I had the cake all frosted and decorated and I went upstairs to get ready for my son's party and my hubby snapped the one and only picture I had of that cake before it split down the middle. There was no saving the ship.

So, 30 minutes before the party was going to start, I ran to the store and bought a round chocolate cake and put all my pirate decorations on top of it... and guess what?!!! My son loved it just the same. ;) I probably complicate things way too much when it comes to birthdays and I have to remember that my kids are perfectly content with a simple cake and a party with friends planned with love for them.

I found some free cute pirate printables at the Cottage Industrialist. She has free invitations, thank you notes, pirate hats and eye patches, cupcake liners and banners available. No need to buy any!

I used little 99cent beach buckets for favors and filled them with chocolate gold coins, compasses, play doh and candy. You can see them in the background of the photo below. I did blue buckets for the boys and pink for the girls.

It was easy to decorate the table. I just got some black material and black plates with red knapkins. I used empty Starbucks frappuccino bottles instead of paper cups. I started collecting them a while back and then just peeled off the labels and washed them out. They are adorable to use for parties and reusable. I bought some red and white striped straws and you can find some at Amazon. I also had a lot of shells and sea decorations in my basement so I just dug them out of boxes and used those at the party.

A friend of ours built an awesome 'plank' for the kids to pretend with and they really enjoyed it!

We played walk the plank, hunted for hidden treasure and played pass the bomb. (pass the bomb was an inflated black balloon and it was basically played like the game 'hot potato') We also had a pirate ship piñata.

Free printable

All in all we celebrated Luke's 3rd birthday...and had fun! ;)

Happy Birthday, Lukester!

Red Velvet, Avengers Birthday Cupcakes

Now how's that for a title! ha! My hubby's birthday is tomorrow and he's been asking me since his last birthday for these cupcakes and an Avengers theme. I think he's been feeling a tad left out since we always go kinda big on the kid's birthdays. ;) He's the one that found the cupcake liners and toppers on sale at Williams-Sonoma several months ago. You can find them HERE. I love how the website describes these toppers: "Team up with legendary superheroes as they battle evil, avenge dastardly deeds and spread delicious cupcakes throughout the universe."


Anyway! My husband requested red velvet cupcakes so I searched Pinterest and found a really delicious recipe via www.Torispelling.com.Don't they look scrumptious?! 

torispelling.com

INGREDIENTS FOR CUPCAKES:

• ½ cup of butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 ounces red food coloring
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 ounces water
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

INGREDIENTS FOR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

MAKE CUPCAKES:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease cupcake pan or line with paper liners
3. Cream softened butter & sugar together until fluffy
4. Add eggs and blend well
5. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa & food coloring & stir
6. Sift flour and salt together into mixture
7. Add vanilla, buttermilk, and water to mixture
8. In another bowl combine vinegar and baking soda. Then fold into cupcake mixture.
9. Pour or spoon mixture into cupcake cups
10. Bake 15 to 20 mins or until a wood toothpick inserted into the middle of the cupcake comes out clean
11. Let cool for about 10 mins. Then put on rack or plate and let finish cooling.

MAKE FROSTING

1. Blend together softened cream cheese and softened butter
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract
3. Blend until smooth
4. Frost cupcakes and enjoy!    

 Here is how the Avengers cupcakes turned out along with a few pictures of the happy birthday boy. =)

A little Thor action

Happy 29th Birthday!! =)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

We had a Dr. Seuss themed day at school to celebrate his birthday. Here are some of our activities that don't require much prep work but still make the day fun for your child.

 You can print off your free activity book {HERE}

 Emma really enjoyed the activity book.

Take a break with some delicious parfaits! Layer equal parts of red jello and cool whip

 Enjoying their 'Cat and the Hat' parfaits.

 Little bro really liked this part of the day. ;)

Finish off the day reading your favorite Dr. Seuss books!

'

 Emma has 'The Cat and the Hat' Tag Reader and loved reading the story like that.