Arrgg, A Pirate Birthday Party for Captain Kira

I copied this over from my Photography Blog. I really should just combine the two blogs but I definately don't post all my personal stuff on the photog blog. Today is KIRA's BIRTHDAY! She is 7 years old. I'll be posting more on that later but for now, enjoy some birthday party photos!

 Last Saturday we were in charge of her birthday party. We take turns planning with her mom. This year she wanted a Pirate Party. I {Stacey} actually had SOOOO much fun planning this party. I think I have a new calling in life, so if you need help with a party planner - Let me know! :)

1. Invitations 

 I searched high and low until I found an invitation that was kinda girly but still authentic enough for our party.  I got this one on Etsy from PartiesbytheBundle. She was amazing to work with and got back to me super fast. Plus, I just love the layout. I printed them locally through Square One with Kraft envelopes and they turned out perfect. 

2. The Bounce House

 Kira has wanted a Pirate Ship Bounce House since she decided she wanted a Pirate Party. I'm not sure if she saw the bounce house somewhere or what but I found one locally and booked it as soon as I could. It was HUGE but seriously awesome. We got this from Bounce4Kids for a reasonable price for an all day rental, plus they delivered and picked up so bonus. My mom text me the night before when they were setting up since I was at a concert and said "Now I know why you asked to use my yard". It was really big, tall and perfection for our party. 

Birthday girl was not sure of the slide with the water, she clinged onto dad... See below. She really did like it when it was just the slide :) 

3. Photo Booth

I ordered some Pirate Birthday Party Props on Etsy from CrazyFoxPaper and they were a hit! $6 bucks well spent, that's for sure! We always love our photo booth and tend to use it a lot for birthday parties. Seriously one of the things the kids LOVE! Check out all the photos on our facebook page here. 

4. Treasure Hunt

We set up a semi easy treasure hunt around the yard and split the kids into 6 groups so they had a chance to actually find the clues. I think it was a hit! Plus they all loved their grab bags / treasure loot! 

5. Walk the Plank

I had Andy set up a Plank and my sister brought her kiddie pool. It was a hit! The kids loved walking across it and actually tried to get wet by the end of the party! 

6. Tattoo Parlor 

I wasn't sure how this would go over but it was BOMB. My amazing sister in law was our tattoo artist and she dressed up and played the part. Kira's mom brought some girly / pony tattoos, I had some pirate ones and Maria even drew some tattoos. The kids came back for more than one!

7. Food

I had fun coming up with some food to go with the Pirate Theme! We had Fish N Chips, Pirates Gold, Polly's Crackers, Poison, and Peg Legs! I also ordered cup cakes from Macey's last minute because I wasn't sure if we'd have enough cake. Last year we ran out but this year there was plenty! 

8. Parade

One of the best things about the timing of Kira's party was the parade. River Heights was having their annual Apples Day Parade at 4 pm so we ended the festivities and all headed to the parade. The kids FILLED their bags full of candy. A short parade but seriously the best loot ever. 

9. Water SLIDE!

During the party we left the Bounce House as a slide only. I didn't want people to have to bring suits, towels, etc. Once the parade was over and most people had left we decided to turn the water on. It was a completely different slide and seriously a blast! 

10. Presents, Cake and more! 

What birthday is complete without presents? Kira was spoiled. Our families and friends treat us and her oh so well. She got so many things on her list! A talking Parrot, legos, art supplies, finger nail polish, clothes, jammies, and more. Plus Kira's Birthday Cake and Mud pie were super yummy! 

A huge shout out to everyone who helped and attended our Pirate Parrtttyyyy! We arrggg so glad you came. :) 

And Happy Birthday Miss Kira! Dad and I sure love you!

A special thanks to this handsome guy for helping me with the party! He sure puts up with me when I get wild ideas sometimes! 

Andy's Big 3-0 Birthday.... what a Surprise

Last Friday was a stressful day for me. I'd been planning a surprise party for Andy for nearly a month and Friday was the day. Andy and I have been inseparable lately. We drive to work together, take lunch together, hang out together, watch movies together.... we no nearly everything together. When are we not together lately? If he's out of town or I'm on a photo shoot. Lately he's been home so I had a hard time planning this birthday party. Fortunately, his best friend Klay and my sister Shayna were a HUGE help. Shayna went grocery shopping for me and Klay cooked on the grill. Friday came and that morning at work Andy said he wasn't feeling good and wanted to know if I'd take him home - we CRAP. That would ruin everything. Luckily he got feeling better and stuck it out. For lunch he tossed me the keys and said "Your driving". Usually I say "What?" no way, but that day was perfect timing. That meant I'd have the keys for the drive home. While we were at lunch my sister stopped by my work to pick up my credit card and the cake. 5 o'clock rolled around and Andy was ready to leave. I tried to work late to prolong the drive home but we left Hycomp at 5:30. Since I was driving and I knew we needed to kill some time I told Andy I felt like buying some lottery tickets so we headed to La Tienda, then to Kohls to buy him some shoes, then to Macey's for groceries, then we had to stop and wash my jeep and then again stopping at Ridley's in Hyrum on the way home because my sister said hardly anyone was there yet. I WAS FREAKING OUT. We were on our way home and Andy hadn't said one word about why we were taking so long to get home so I assumed he had figured it out. We pulled into the house with no cars there except one truck. Andy assumed it was Megan and Adam's since I told him they were coming over. I let Andy head into the house first and he opens the kitchen door and max was there. Andy's like "Well hello Max". He then hits the lights and ... "Surprise!!" It was a great turn out! I was so excited to see so many people there. My family, Andy's family, friends and co-workers. It was a great night. I had asked my sister to help decorate with an Automotive/Jeeping theme and Wright Designs did the cake. Thanks again everyone and Happy Big 3-0 Andy.