This weekend was JSL’s 4th birthday. As I have mentioned before, he is a BIG fan of Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Since he wanted that theme for his birthday, we had to improvise a bit. I bought the supplies and pretty much knew what I wanted to do with them.
Saturday afternoon, I baked the cupcakes in the Wilton pirate wrappers. They were nothing special to look at now, but soon they would change.
When I was preparing everything for the party Sunday morning, the first thing I wanted to get finished were the pirate cupcakes. I had my Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus, frosting, gold sugar crystal sprinkles, and pirate flags. Before I knew it, they were looking like this:
Yes, my little pirate was quite excited to see that his pirate cupcakes were finished.
After lunch, it was time to switch the table over to a Neverland Pirate Party theme. I had to take these items and make them look pretty on the table.
While I worked on this, the kids did some pirate arts and crafts. As you can see, we found some great items that worked well for several ages.
It did not take too long to get the table ready. The cupcake display with the doubloons around it was first. Then, it was time to put the Peter Pan Pirates in the front along with JSL’s cupcake and 4 candle. To tie in, we also had some cute pirate napkins to add a splash of color.
Yes, the props certainly helped to make it more of a Neverland Pirate Party feel.
After opening presents, JSL went over to have everyone sing his birthday song.
Yes, we pulled off a Neverland Pirate Party and the birthday boy seemed to have a wonderful time. More to come soon, but I wanted to share some yummy and crafty details now.
When JSL woke up, the first thing he did was run out of bed to see his big brother. After that, he came into our room to announce that NHL was the first one to wish him a happy birthday. After this, we opened up his new VTech Kidizoom Plus camera and put the batteries in. Then, NHL gave him his present.
We got dressed and went to Nana and Papa’s house. Uncle I, Aunt M, and Cousins GG and BA were at their house. JSL was too excited to eat since he was running around the house taking photos of everything.
The kids played with the new pirate toys and watching some Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I have a feeling that JSL’s camera is likely filled with photos similar to this one:
While the kids played, I was busy in the kitchen making pirate cupcakes today. They will be decorated for the party early Sunday morning.
When we asked JSL where he wanted to have his birthday lunch, his answer did not shock me. He wanted to go to Cici’s for Mac and Cheese pizza. He was a very happy birthday boy.
Next, we went to Scoops for some ice cream. JSL had a blast taking photos of their cows and running around with Cousin SG. Of course, NHL was proud when he yelled that baby BA was trying to sneak into the cow area.
We tried to play at the park. A little running by the pond got in before the rain came to stop the fun. To try to stop JSL from being upset we got him to sing the pirate song. When we got back to Nana and Papa’s house he belted out a bunch of the only verse he really knows.
Then, Aunt M and I went to get some items for the party tomorrow. We happened to find a cake that was perfect to have on JSL’s actual birthday. We sang him his song and then it was time to blow out the candle.
Aunt M, Uncle I, and the kids wanted to give the birthday boy something on his birthday so he could use it at the Pirate Party. Here is JSL right about when he figured out what was inside.
Now check out why he has such a HUGE smile on his face:
Yes, Pirate JSL was quite thrilled with his new costume by Melissa & Doug. Eventually, we were able to get him to take it off so we could head home. I have a feeling we will be seeing a pirate show at his party at one point or another.
As much as I begged you not to turn four, you have gone ahead and continued to grow up before my eyes. My baby is not a baby anymore and it is hard to imagine. It seems like you were born just yesterday and looked like this curled up in your Boppy.
Now you are a four year old little boy determined to figure out everything before you. You want to know why, what, how, and everything in between. Of course, you always want to do things on your own. This year you have grown up and done so much. Here is a look at your third year.
To celebrate turning three, we took you to Build a Bear to make your first special friend. You picked out a puppy and HAD to have him be Buzz Lightyear. (May 2010)
June is the month for weddings. Thanks to Cousin R getting married, you went to your first ever wedding. You were quite the party animal and loved dancing until we pulled you away to go to sleep for the night. (June 2010)
On the 4th of July, we took you to see your first movie at the theater. As a huge Buzz Lightyear fan, it was only fitting that Toy Story 3 marked this huge milestone. After all of the excitement you took what would become a very rare nap. (July 2010)
Your first ever nights away from home came in August when Mommy and Daddy both went to NYC for BlogHer. This was when you learned the word swag and met your recent best friend Eggbert – not seen below. (August 2010)
Your first time to school was met with a little bit of fear. Looking back, it is amazing to see how far you have come and how excited you get going to school these days. I will admit that I love my alone time, but I miss you when at school. The house is just too quiet. (September 2010)
Thank goodness you stayed healthy for Halloween this year. You were so happy to bounce like a Tigger and let everyone know you could act the part. (October 2010)
Much to my surprise, you loved getting homework. Whether it was for speech, or a project you really got into it. For Thanksgiving, you made a poster to bring in to share with your friends at school. You were so excited to bring it in all by yourself. (November 2010)
When it was time for your Chanukah party at school, Mimi and I went to watch you sing and dance. Of course, the surprise was on us when you and the rest of the boys stood there during the festivities. There must have been a pact signed by all of you not to do anything. It was still really cute to watch. (December 2010)
There was a LOT of snow in January. We spent a lot of time digging out, but you also liked to play out in the cold. One of your favorite activities was the big brother sleigh ride. (January 2011)
Most of February was spent listening to you ask if we were going to Disney World. You knew that we were heading there for a conference, but you did not understand why we had to wait. I have to admit, I could not get that part either. To pass the time, we wore our Mickey ears and pretended to go to Disney to visit the characters and rides. (February 2011)
When we finally made it to Disney World, you were a different kiddo. You loved heading over to the characters and wanted to try any ride you could go on. So many happy memories from our family time together. (March 2011)
You were home a lot in April, thanks to Passover. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out what you would eat, after a hunger strike. I think your face below shows my feelings for much of the events of the month. (April 2011)
Please excuse me if I cry today. It is just hard to believe that my little Pookaloo is now four years old. I love watching you grow up before my eyes and become a true personality plus.
No matter how old you get, you will always be my baby boy. I love you my Super JSL Buzz Lightyear. Happy 4th birthday sweetie and here is to many more happy and wonderful memories ahead.
When you ask your child what they would like to decorate their birthday party with, you always hope for something easy. JSL’s birthday is this weekend. He decided that he wanted his 4th birthday to be with this theme:
The problem is that they have not marketed anything for Jake and the Neverland Pirates – yet. So, we had to improvise. We are doing a small family party with some pirate supplies for our little matey. We bought doubloons, pirate flags, gold sprinkles, and cupcake making items.
We still need to figure out the menu for the party and a few other items for the kids to do. So my question to you this week:
What is your favorite party theme that you have ever been to and why? It could have been your own birthday party, your child’s, or some other fun event.
Pssst – be sure to check out my Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides giveaway.
Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.
Yes, it is true. This mommy took herself, and a friend on a field trip the day before Mother’s Day. Some may call it selfish; others call it a must needed adventure. I call it being a GEM and knowing that I need ME time. Thanks to Rene Syler, I have realized that it is fine for me to need time away from my family. I love the boys, but this mama likes time with friends and having some additional estrogen in her life.
The reality is that a lot has changed since we got back from Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. At the time, I knew there were big changes coming, but never could have imagined the way it would play out. We started to look at different schooling options for our son. After a major bullying incident, we had to look into this faster than we had intended. I am no longer associated with the local magazine for a variety of reasons. What I realized during all of this chaos is that I love my family/friends and their place in my life. I also saw how people stepped up, helped me with things, and allowed me to laugh during a highly stressful time. Most important of all, I saw the power of women coming together. Reinventing myself is happening with each breath that I take.
Since we got back from Disney, I have been communicating with Rene Syler. Rene has been awesome cheering me on in the background as I embrace my inner GEM (Good Enough Mother). Her energy is contagious. At one point, Rene and I realized that we do not live too that far from one another. The Head GEM suggested that we meet for lunch one day. Before I knew it, Rene and I set a date for a Mommy Field Trip for the two of us and Christina from Cutest Kid Ever.
This past Saturday, yes the day before Mother’s Day, we met at a restaurant. After lots of hugs, we sat down, ordered some drinks/food, and talked up a storm. We had a lot to chat about. Business, families, education, social media, fun, Disney, and pretty much anything else you can think of was on our agenda. Being bloggers, we all took turns taking photos of our food and other items:
Of course, being the social media groupies that we are, we also sent out some Tweets from the Mommy Field Trip. Here is the TwitPic that I captured of the beautiful Rene:
Before we finished our meal, we asked someone in the restaurant to take a photo of us. We hoped to get one outside along the Hudson River, but needed one from inside. Here is a view from our Mommy Field Trip:
Before we knew it, the time had come to head out to our cars. Lots of hugs, some photos by the river, and promises to do this again. It was an amazing first ever Mommy Field Trip for me thanks to the women I was with. Thank you Rene for being an inspiration. I know that Christina and I will use your words of wisdom in the not too distant future. Thanks to you, I move forward one step at a time toward my GEM reinvention. Thank you for supporting me and my new projects that are yet to be seen.
Have you been on a Mommy Field Trip recently? If not, what are you waiting for?!
