Scotty's 5th Birthday-Pirate Party

November 2010
Scotty wanted to have a Pirate birthday party this year.  He had been talking about it as much and as long as he had talked about being a pirate for Halloween.  He had been anticipating his birthday for many, many months.  I searched stores and found a bunch of pirate stuff, got game ideas, and thought I had it all together.  I was given tips from a few people on how many people to invite and how many games to have.  I THOUGHT I was prepared.  Boy was I wrong!  I'll have to prepare twice as much next time and appoint helpers to help (instead of sit on the couch and watch me flounder--Derrick--!!)

First, as the kids arrived, I wanted to get pictures of them by the pirates chest.  Unfortunately, I was only able to get pictures of a few so here's one of Scotty with his buddy Logan.

(Scotty and Logan)

Also while waiting for kids to show up, we had pirate coloring pages ready for the kids to color and pirate hats and eye patches to put on.

(Saige, Colton, Soren, and Kendis)

Then the games began.  First they played pin the treasure chest on the map, then they played "walk the plank," and then we had a treasure hunt.  I had written out clues that led from one place in the house to another until they found the treasure chest.  Once they found the treasure chest, I went to divvy up the treasure and Derrick conducted this balloon game (cannonball bop.)  They had to keep hitting the balloons in the air and not let them hit the ground



(Cannonball Bop)



Then it was time for cake.

(almost time to sing!)



(blowing out the candles.  L-R: Jacob, Marlee, Salem, Colton, Rigley, Scotty, Kassidy, Kendis)

After the kids all had sugar in their tummies, it was time for presents!!  Could this little boy look any more excited for this part of his party??





(Scotty was spoiled by his friends and received many amazing gifts)



(Soren, Garret, Saige, Kassidy, and Eric watching Scotty unwrap presents)

After presents, the kids went to run around in the back yard while waiting for their parents.  If only I knew that running around in a yard full of rocks would have been the funnest part of the party for some of these kids, we would have done things a little differently!  Kaaryn also had the wonderful idea to get all of the kids who were still there together for a picture.



(Back L-R:  Rigley D, Rachel G, Saige S, Jacob G, Soren J.  Front:  Logan B, Marlee M, Colton S, Salem P, Scotty P, Kassidy B, Garret H, and Eric H.  Not pictured:  Kendis B and Kaybree B)

After the friends left, some of the relatives stayed for pizza and visiting and then unwrapping presents from mom, dad, and Korbin.  If we had known that Scotty would get so many great gifts from his friends and cousins, I don't think we would have got him so many presents.  

(So excited for Vaders Tie Fighter)

(Kaaryn, Salem, Matt, Kassidy, and Kaybree watching Scotty tear into presents)

(Our little family at Scotty's fun 5th birthday party)

Halloween and the BEST jack-'o-lantern EVER!!

We started hearing about Halloween and what Scotty wanted to be for Halloween in about March.  Seriously, he had been talking about wanting to be a pirate for Halloween for soooo long.  But before getting all dressed up on Halloween, we had to do some pumpkin carving.  I found some Star Wars stencils online and we decided to try them out.  Our first pumpkin was a total success.  We were (still are) pretty proud.  I think even Master Yoda himself would have been pleased!

 After such good results with Yoda, we decided to try for Vader.  I spent so long cutting the stencil and then tracing it onto the pumpkin.  Scotty spent time cleaning the pumpkin out.

 Then, we started cutting and soon realized that the Vader stencil was probably not meant for pumpkins.  It just had too many little skinny places that were caving in almost as soon as we started cutting.  At least Yoda worked out.

Derrick and I took the kids to the midnight madness Halloween event at Frys again this year but I failed to take pictures there.  They had some fun games set up and trick or treating throughout the store. 

But, Scotty still couldn't wait to get completely dressed up for the trunk or treat at the church.  He was so excited to have me draw a pirate's beard on him.

AAAaaaarrrgggghhhhhh Matey!

Korbin is a little too young to have any preference of what he wanted to be for Halloween so we brought out the "Dino"/Dragon costume that Scotty wore for Halloween when he was 2.

 There must be something crazy in that costume because it produced a very similar crying fit to this one we experienced when Scotty wore the costume.  

We went to the trunk or treat at the church on Saturday the 30th.  Scotty had a lot of fun and didn't care as much about how much candy he was getting as he did about seeing his friends and running around with them.  Korbin had fun shoving candy in his mouth as fast as he could for as long as we would let him.  His favorites were Tootsie Rolls.  Since Halloween was on Sunday we didn't take the kids trick or treating but let Scotty hand out candy to the trick or treaters in our neighborhood.  He had just as much fun and felt super important. 

End of July through mid October 2010

It seems as if I'm always playing catch up.  So, I thought I'd just bunch some events together and call it good. 

At the end of July we went to Willcox to hang out with my parents and my sisters and their families.  We took the kids to Apple Annie's Orchard to pick some peaches and apples.  The owner came by while we were starting to get the picking gear and told us we could sample the fruit while picking.  Scotty made sure he jumped on that right away.

Here's his first big bite of his peach. 

 The kids:  Sydney, Susannah, Scotty, Kassidy, and Kaybree

 I didn't take any pictures of the BEST part of Apple Annie's.  The bakery/fudge shop.  YUM!  We just HAD to buy pies, apple bread, cherry butter and fudge.  I probably gained 5 pounds in 1 day!

At the end of August, I put Korbin in the exersaucer while I took a shower.  When I came out I found this.

 I just love sleeping babies!!  It reminds me of a picture of my sister Suzi when she was a baby when she fell asleep in a little wagon. 

Also at the end of August......Derrick's birthday.  I didn't take many pictures but we had a fun time.  Derrick's brother Matt and his family came from Tucson and picked up pizza on their way.  It was so nice of them to help make Derrick's birthday a little more fun/special!!

At the beginning of October, I went to Willcox again to see family but it also was Rex Allen Days.  We took the kids to the parade and the carnival.  I don't know that my kids really enjoyed the parade but Scotty had fun on the carnival rides!