Nobody likes birthdays more than Leah! Except for maybe Sarah! Actually, nobody likes birthdays more than Sarah! Sarah lives for birthdays. If you have ever been to a "Sarah" birthday event, you know of the time and energy she puts into the event. She loves every minute of it. I have learned to live around it. :) I am pretty sure she began preparing for Leah's 6th birthday the day after her 5th.
Leah loves Tinkerbell and the other fairies. Disney in their marketing genius discovered that we had not yet spent our last penny so they came up with "Zerena, The Pirate Fairy"! Immediately, Leah knew that she had to have a pirate fairy themed birthday.
Pixie Hollow
When the kids arrived at the house, we greeted them with fairy wings or pirate eye patches. They then followed the leafy trail to the Pixie Hollow.
The Pixie Hollow, aka my garage, was accessed by the magical mud and laundry room. One Dad, upon arriving and seeing me in full pirate regalia, proclaimed what a good Dad I was. I then explained the real sacrifice was agreeing to have the party in my garage!
Sarah does it up right. Here is a birthday sign for Leah fashioned out of a pirate ship's sail.
Sarah prepared a full spread including pirate booty (cheddar corn puffs), grapes, pixie wands (pretzel rods), ants on a log, Pixie Stix, wraps, jello and of course, cupcakes, cake and ice cream.
We ran short on time so Sarah had to buy a cake. She added the flowers that she made herself and the fairies. She also made the tinkered cake stand out of a flower pot and a disc of wood.
Sarah tried her best to make my garage not look like a garage. It turned out looking more like a gay pride parade! She knows my garage is my baby so she took great care to not leave any tacks, tape or the like on the walls and was eager to help me clean it up, as were the kids.
Sarah made a few games for the kids to play, such as "Walk the Plank"
And Captain Hook's Ring Toss!
Pirates and Fairies
Here are the two most beautiful fairies I have ever seen. All the kids were instructed on the invitations to dress like a fairy and/or pirate.
Here's Dax the Terrible! Sorry, I couldn't think of a more unique pirate name.
This little girl is spoiled! Momma gave her this Zerena costume right before her party. Leah loved it!
Argh! There be squalls and parties ahead! Properly warned has been ye, says I!
First to arrive at the party was one of Leah's best friends, Margot. She also was a pirate and a fairy, but Leah made sure everybody knew that only she was Zerena!
Games, Activities and Food, Oh My!
Sarah set up the TV and played the movie "Zerena, Pirate Fairy". The kids all liked it. The boys more so than the girls even.
We had about 30 people show up. Including family. Left to Right; Phoebe, Amy and Jasmine
Christian found his favorite seat in the Jeep!
Leah celebrating her perfect ring toss onto Captain Hook's hook.
Just a few fairies watching a fairy show in their fairy wings at the fairy party.
Git Yer Grub On, Argh!
These fairies didn't tinker around. They dug right in and chowed down! Some of the pirates were bummed that there was no grog to wash down their grub.
Let's Eat!
I challenge you to find a more cute rocker pirate. I was surprised that Dax left his eye patch and head band on all day. Hats typically don't stay on his head too long. He seems to like the life of a pirate.
Yes, Joe is a pirate. A few hundred years too late. The cannons don't thunder. There's nothing to plunder. He's an over 40 victim of fate. Arriving too late. Arriving too late.
Good preparation allows Sarah to enjoy the party rather than to worry about it.
Have a plate of food babe! You deserve it! (Isn't she one hot fairy?!)
Cake and Presents Time!
The kids gathered to sing "Happy Birthday" to Leah and watch her blow out the candle.
This kid loves cake...or at least frosting! You can see the look in her eyes. She wants it!
After cake it was presents time. This little girl was spoiled by so many friends and family.
It is fun to watch Leah open presents. She is wonderful at expressing gratitude. Every present she opens, whether it be the grandest or simplest, is greeted with an enthusiastic comment such as, "This is the greatest thing ever!" or "This is just what I wanted!" She makes everybody around her feel good about giving her a gift. Now, getting her to express that gratitude by caring for said gift or sharing said gift with others...that is another discussion.
Her cousins Jasmine, Marissa and Lexi.
Her cousins and best friends Cole, Elijah, Jake the Snake and Emerson.
Phoebe, Amy, Christian and Jasmine
Aunt Kate is always good for a big bag of goodies.
So many presents. Thanks to everybody who came and showed their love by way of gift. I tend to lean towards the school of thought that we typically do too much in regards to giving gifts. I prefer to announce "Please, no gifts", but I am a grumpy old man. I am glad Sarah understands that receiving gifts is a big part of the birthday experience. Plus, it has been my experience that nobody obeys the "No gifts please" request.
Leah and Margot, BFFs.
Uncle Josh and his favorite niece.
Mommy and Daddy gave Leah a new Razor scooter. "A TWO WHEELER!?", she proclaimed.
Pinata time!!!
What's a party without a pinata?! Here Elijah swings for the fences.
Margot takes a stab at breaking open the pirate chest filled with tasty treasures.
Emerson takes a whack!
Leah trying to work the pinata into submission with her cuteness. It didn't work so...
She tried beating the hell out of it!
"What, there's a camera around?! How's this pose?"
After everybody had several cracks at the treasure chest pinata, Cole busted it open with one mighty swing!
And the vultures descended! The older kids were quite nice to share much of their candy with the younger kids.
I had to get my money's worth out of the pinata, so I wore it as a hat for the next three days.
Emerson in awe at all the candy.
Cole admiring his handy work. "I showed that pinata who was boss!"
Leah showing off some of her pirate pinata booty; rings, candy and tattoos.
I love my little pirate fairy. I hope she one day realizes all the love we have for her and all the hard work her Mother puts into these parties as a token of that love. The first six years with this little pixie have been amazing. While I stress at the thought of her growing up and the trials that may come along with that, I am excited to see what she will become. She has amazing potential and a rockin' Mom as an example. Happy Birthday, Stinker Bell!
