Captain Colin turns 5!

Colin chose a pirate theme for his 5th Birthday Party. I think these invitations are my absolute favorite to date. (Those are marshmallows holding up the masts!)

On the day of the party Captain Colin was ready to welcome his scurvy maties.

We transformed the dining room into an ocean bay, lapping up to the sandy carpet beach complete with seagulls (that spin on the ceiling fan) and a palm tree.

The inviting ocean water was comprised of a mattress, pillows, and couch cushions topped with blue packing blankets and every sea related stuffed animal in the house.

Pieces of the couch became our Jolly Roger - with a piano bench for a plank.

 

Walk..or JUMP the plank!

We had a spread of treats - chocolate cannon balls, pretzels, and a pirate ship cake...that survived a ship wreck.

Skull and Crossbones Ice

 

Ship wreck the night before the party

The pirate's treasure was collected and buried.

As friends arrived they donned their pirate bandanas and took to the ship...

 

 

 

...and then to the sea!

Not long into the fun another pirate ship was spotted off the starboard side of the ship. Cannon balls were made at the ready and the ship was quickly overtaken. 

 

Before it sank the pirates were able to retrieve a treasure map. It looked to be drawn by the dreaded old pirate - Red Beard Shem.

The adventure began in the bay where the pirates would disembark from the ship.

  

The map led them to Black Table Rock...

...then toward the Mossy Tunnel.

 On the other side they found that X marked the spot beneath a palm tree in the sand dunes.

The pirates quickly descended upon the (blanket and pillow) dunes and unearthed the buried treasure to find chocolate coins inside!

Next Colin got to check out his birthday loot.

 

Then it was candles and cake.

With some extra time at the end of the party we played a few improvised games - Tick Tock Croc and Under the Sea.

The party was a huge success! Happy Birthday, Colin!