Pirate party revisited

2years ago my eldest son had a pirate and princess party, it went well considering it was at very short notice.  I got some banners printed on plastic of both pirate images and princess,

 

as well as a "pin the patch on the pirate game" and a "pin the crown on the princess game".  I made a pirate ship in about 2hours from cardboard boxes, brown paper, tape, glue and lego.

A friend printed out edible cake toppers for the main cake and small fairy cakes.

And as we already had disco lights we had a disco, and did normal party games.


WELL......My 4year old came home from school last week and told me that he had invited his teacher and TA and some of his friends round to our house for his pirate birthday party!  Luckily I still have all the plastic banners I had printed, I still have the template for the invite and the cake toppers, sadly the ship got broken when we moved house, but I can make a new one. 

However, as I have until August for lil mans birthday I plan to do things better this time round.  I wont be hiring a hall but having it at home, I have gazebos and plan to get another 1 (or 2) before his birthday.  I started hunting the net for pirate things and ideas and made a board on pinterest so that I could keep them all in one place.  I found a lovely banner but it was £15 for a 3ft length which will work out very expensive, so I decided to buy some long dresses and skirts off ebay in red/white/black stripes/spots/stars/patterns/skulls and plan to make my own once they all arrive by cutting strips of material and tying or stitching to rope.

some of the materials I have bought

My son then asked IF I could turn his wooden army fort into a pirate ship!!!  I know i'm good at crafts etc BUT this could prove hard.  But after a few hours thought I came up with a plan.  1.We pull the army netting back over the roof.  2.We use the spare wooden bits from where it was raised to make a triangle and place it against the side of the fort to look like the front of the ship.  3.We make an anchor and chain (see below) and lean against the front of the point.  4.We add a wheel to the inside (somehow) and 5.Maybe add a sheet as a flag, (again somehow).

The anchor and chain, now i'm really pleased with this as I wasnt sure HOW to do it, or even if it could be done as I don't want anything heavy that could hurt children or pets.  So I drew an anchor shape on cardboard, I cut it out and then scrunched up paper and masking taped it to the anchor on one side only so that it had a 3D image.  From here I added paper marche to it over 3 layers, letting each layer dry for 24hrs before doing the next one.  I then painted it with a mix of silver, orange and black acrylic paint (it still needs another coat of paint in pic).

 

 For the chain I used small paper plates.  I cut the ribbed outer edge off the plate, leaving a solid circle, I then cut the middle from this which is what I made the larger links from, and again cut a smaller ring from the solid center small circle, this made the small links.  They were linked together by cutting a slit in 1 ring and then masking tape it closed once the other rings were linked.  I then did the same on the chains as I did for the anchor by screwing up balls of paper and masking tape them onto one side and then paper marching it.  I will be painting the chains and adding to the anchor (will add photo at a later date.


I have also sat and trawled the net for food and games.

GAMES/IDEAS TO DO -

Buried treasure - each child can dig in the sand pit for: 2x necklaces, 1x ring, 2x gems, 10x coins,, 5 gold rocks (plastic jewellery & gems bought, rocks from beach painted gold and varnished)

Walk the plank - raised piece of wood over either a small paddling pool with water in or blue sheet on grass, toy crocodiles in it.

Pin the patch on the pirate game - picture of pirate and some sort of patch to stick on it, closet to where his eye is wins.

Hoop toss over a sword or hook - who can throw the most hoops onto a sword or hook wins.  Alternatively you could have a few fixed onto a board and points for each one and whoever gets the highest points wins

Decorate your own sword - pre cut out cardboard swords and have glue, gems, pens etc for the children to decorate their own swords (do this at the beginning of the party and they will be dry to take home.)  Make sure you write childrens names on back.

Pirate tattoos (and face paint) - do these at the beginning as all pirates have tattoos, check that children are ok with face paint before parents leave.

Pirate photo booth - Draw a picture of a pirate on cardboard and paint it, cut out the face, cut a slit in the middle at the bottom.  Take a small piece of cardboard and place a slit in the middle of top edge, this will be fixed into the slit on the pirate so it can stand up.  Child stands behind it and puts their face through the hole to have a photo taken as pirate.

Knock the pirates over - skittles with pirate pictures stuck on and bean bags/balls to knock them over, peson who gets most wins.

Pass the parcel with pirate forfits - Wrap the parcel and add a forfit to each layer, do 1 per person plus a couple of extra layers.  Forfits - *stand up and shout "ahoy me mateys", *squark like a parrot, *talk like a parrot and say "polly wants a cracker", *hop round the circle like peg leg jake, *dance a pirate jig, *name a pirate film, *sing a song like a drunken sailor, *go walk the plank, *stand up and say "yo ho ho and away we go", *Talk like a parrot and say "pieces of eight, pieces of eight", *stand up and say "shiver me timbers", *Stand up and say "this is me ship mateys", *stand up and say "where be me treasure", *pretend to swab the deck (sweep), *tell the joke - "what do you call a pirate who went to school?"......"smaaaaart",* tell the joke - "where do pirates go shopping?"......"at the maaaaaarket", *tell the joke - "what does a pirate put on his toast?"......."maaaaarmalade"

Pirate pinata - Make or buy a pinat and add sweets, home made badges, catcha-bubbles, confetti, etc

Pirate colouring pages and pens - leave some of these on a table incase they want to colour

Cannon ball bop - give each child a black balloon and on go they have to keep it in the air, any that hit the floor are out, winner is one who lasts longest.

Cannon ball fire - loads of black balloons, put sweets in some, confetti in others,  and leave some empty on go the kids have to "fire" (burst) all the cannon balls by bouncing on them with their bums.

Flap the fish - 2 fish shapes cut from tissue paper, 2 paper plates, split into 2 teams, place the fish on the floor infront of first person, using only the plate they need flap the fish down the room to set place and then back again, hand to next person who does the same, 1st team to have all players do it wins.

Musical pirates - like musical statues EXCEPT when the music stops they need dance like a pirate, last one to do it is out.

Feed the shark - draw a sharks head and open mouth onto cardboard, cut out the mouth.  using ping pong balls (12 pack for £1 in £1shop) they can each throw the balls through the mouth - most through wins (make older children stand further back than younger children.)

Treasure hunt - clues to find the hidden treasure or coins hidden around the place,

Musical islands - paper islands - each child has an island to start with placed on floor, when music stops they must stand on 1.  remove 1 island and go again, child without island is out.  last 1 wins.

Wheres the treasure hidden - piece of paper with treasure island/map in squares on it, get each child to put their name in 1 square when they arrive.  (pre-choose the treasure square and make a note of it) at the end of the party award a prize to whoever guessed correct or was the nearest.  (try and make the map the exact amount of squares for guests).

 FOOD -

canon balls - malteasers or blueberries or black olives

planks- twix bars or pretzel sticks or bread sticks

pollys crackers - mini cheddars

pirate ships - hot dogs with cocktail stick flag

pirate gems - chunks of fruit on kebab sticks

golden nuggets - chicken nuggets

swords - bread sticks and half grape near end

golden rings - hula hoop crisps

ocotopus legs - gummy worms

fresh fish bread - tuna sandwiches

pirate punch - water, blue food colouring and raspberry flavour 

sharks blood - red drink

pirate teeth - popcorn

pirates peg leg - sausage rolls

sea scrolls - "coffee" wafer biscuits (tubes) tied with a liquorice lace

veggie island - platter of sliced vegetables

golden rocks - cheese & pineapple

dead mans fingers - cocktail sausages

hawain islands - ham & pineapple pizzas

pirate islands - biscuits iced with treasure map lines and a x

I WILL ADD MORE ONCE I GET SORTED AND DEFINATELY ADD MORE AFTER THE PARTY.

Whitehaven Parade

Today May 6th was a lovely day all round.  The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it was the day of the Whitehaven Freedom Parade through the town.

Me and hubby decided to go down and watch.  Now this sounds like a good plan, except for the fact its only 2weeks since I had my knee operation, i'm still hobbling about, I didn't take my crutches or the folding chair (this wasn't thought about until the last part of the air display!)  Plus we parked at the multi story and had to park on level 5 and then walk down.  So by the time we had left the car park I was already knackered and in pain.  Oh well, we're here now!

We took a slow walk to the harbour front.  As we were walking down the harbour front we got asked by a steward if we were part of the parade - errr no we're here to watch it and we're heading down to the navy boat.  We were allowed to pass.  He did inform us that the parade was going that way and coming back the way we were walking.

As we approached the quay down to where the navy boat was they had a sign up showing its name -

and on the metal gate was a sign that said open 10:30am-4pm, we said that it would be worth getting the boys from school and heading straight down so they could look round the boat.  We walked down the quay to the boat (which was at the far end!!!)  As we got nearer I could see a rope ladder at the side of it - the only way on board - great!  I decided not to go on board as I didn't want to risk hurting my knee any more than the walking was going to do.  Hubby went on and had a  look around.  I took a few photos of the outside of the boat and then wandered back to the harbourside where I could sit down.

After a short sit down on a bench I could hear the band playing and someone said that the parade where on their way back to the harbourside.  I stayed seated until I saw the band come into the band stand and then I stood up.  I had a lovely view from where I was, that was until the police and stewards decided they were going to stand there.  However I did manage to get some nice photos of the parade.

After the parade had all been inspected and everything else done they marched past the end of where I was standing (couldn't sit now if I had wanted to as the area behind me was full of people).  The cheering and waving of flags and clapping was really nice.

It was then time for the arial displays to start.  They were really good, and I managed to get some photos that are very clear even though I only had the small cameras with me, yes cameras I had 2!

Following this great display it was the turn of the red devils parachute display team, from air to sea.  The plane had to do a few laps before it was cleared to go.

Apparently the sea was very cold, 1 of them said as they walked past - I will believe him as I have no desire to find out until the weather warms up much more! 

Finally there was another plane doing lots of tricks and leaving smoke trails.

I was glad I had gone down there for the event but I certainly knew that I had stood for nearly 2hrs.  I was in alot of pain.  By the time we got home my knee had swollen up and I have taken lots of pain killers and elevated my knee and had ice on it.  I got some really nice photos and had a lovely time.  The atmosphere was brilliant and there was a great turn out for a small town.

Spiritual & holistic event

This weekend was the Spirit of Cumbria Holistic fair at the Rheged centre near Penrith, in Cumbria.  I would have liked to have gone for the whole weekend as there were some very interesting workshops on both days, but this would have cost in the region of £80 in petrol for hubby to take me there and come home and then come back for me in the afternoon and then home again on both days, and a hotel would have cost me about £40-50 for the night, plus taxis to and from the venue.  So I decided that I would only go today (Sunday).

Hubby and the boys did the easter egg hunt, made pixie doors, had faces painted and played in the play area outside leaving me free to wander around the various stalls, try out therapies and attend workshops.

I had a bio-energy healing taster session of 20minutes, my feet felt really heavy and my fingers were tingling afterwards, which is apparently good. 

I had an aura photograph taken, and the lady said she hadn't seen anyone with as round chakras as all mine were for quite a while.  It has got lots of various colours and halos on it. 

the colours are much brighter on the actual picture than the photo of it makes them, the purple on my head is more vivid as well.

 I also had a psychic reading done which was very acurate, I had never seen or met the man before.  Some of the things he said there is no-way he would have known - like my lounge wallpaper colour, the fact my kettle turns on/off on its own and that my grandad was called Reginald and was in the army!  Very impressed with what he said.

I attended the Angel Workshop which was very informative, I just hope I didn't come across as rude as I was typing things the lady said onto my phone (as had pen but no paper in my handbag) but I was sat near the back.

All in all it was a nice event and everyone was so friendly.  I would definately go to another event like this.

A new baby......

........not of the human variety I may add!  But I have been and bought a baby bearded dragon.  It is believed that it is a "he" but as only 7weeks old this may not be correct as very hard to tell under 8-10weeks.

We have named him Hunter.  He has lots of orange to his markings.  He is very small.

 

On my 11yr old hand to show size

We only got him because our Tortoise died, she was a rescue pet and had been fed cat meat daily for her 1st year of life.  The vets said she would only live for 2-3years and we had her for 9years, so she was 10yrs old when she died. 

Mothers day 30th march 2014

Happy Mothers day MUM, I know your not here physically but your always here with us in our hearts and minds.  Today is the 9th mothers day without you.  It doesn't get any easier.  We love you always. RIP Mum. x

My mum. x

And thank you to my lovely boys and hubby for my cards and presents.  Each of the boys made me a card at school, I know i've moved "up north" as the card from my youngest says MAM not MUM. 

my cards

Happy mothers day to all my mummy friends and the mums everywhere.

indestructible boys school shoes???

DO such a thing exist???  I'm starting this post of the thought of NO they don't!!!  And I have very good reasons for believing this.  Read on.

My middle son is 8years old, he seems to be dead set on destroying EVERY pair of school shoes we buy him.  He has gone through 10 pairs since September 2013, two of which he has ruined THIS WEEK ALONE!  I wouldn't mind if he was outgrowing them or they were generally worn.  BUT he either sits and picks at the stitching/material on the top of toes so he gets a hole or he is skidding and playing football on the concrete playground and making holes in the sole.

We have had shoes from George, Next, Tesco, Shoe Zone and Brantano.  All of which have ended their life very quickly and gone in the bin.  I can't say that I remember which particular brand lasted the longest but none have been very long.  Admittedly, I don't buy expensive shoes but this is for the reason that he will do the same to them as he does the cheaper ones.

BUT is it any wonder when most of the sole are almost smoothe and have very little tread to start with and are plasticy synthetic???  Where are the thick, chunky rubber or leather soled soles of a few years ago???  Yes, that would be right they cost more money to produce, so our kids have to suffer.  Now don't get me wrong I know my son is wrecking his shoes but what use are these plasticy non grip shoes if the weather turns icy???  No use at all!!!

I have just about had enough of it.  I started a google search under "indestructible school shoes" and was very pleased to see pages after pages of mums in a similar situation to me, desperate to find a solution to their children ruining school shoes, some in the same way as my son, others through scuffing of general wear and tear. 

Well I kept reading and eventually came to a post from an American forum and the suggestion believe it or not was "Skate trainers/shoes!"  Not something I had thought of I must admit, but when I started looking and reading more on the subject the soles are much thicker and chunkier than normal school shoes for the reason when used on a skateboard they need to be thick to withstand the pushing motion on concrete!  BONUS just what I am after.  And even better is when I can find them cheaper than I have been paying for school shoes.  They will be being ordered asap.

So as you can see in the space of this post my opinion of "indestructable school shoes" has changed a complete circle from not believing they exist to finding a solution.  Lets hope that they work!!!  watch out for the update.

1week in......

......on the slimfast diet and I have lost 3lbs so far. :D

The first 3days were absolute hell, I was constantly hungry and craving everything that I would normally eat - cakes, chocolate, crisps etc.  But I was good and stuck to what i'm allowed and drank loads of water. 

I found out that almonds are low calorie and allowed as a snack upto 100grams, but instead of having them all in 1 go I have picked at them when I have felt abit hungry.  It seems to be working ok.  The only thing I have had to do is add in an extra snack as I was feeling very cold and light headed on the  1200cals a day that they suggest.  It was after a google search that I found that this could be far too low for my body and to add an extra snack.

I'm pretty sure i'm peeing for England and that this is a big factor in loosing the weight as I am going up and down stairs alot!

I've also started doing more workouts on the wii and have found some that I can do with my bad knee and they dont hurt it too much.

Fingers crossed it keeps working for me.