J Turns Three - Part 2

Pirates have been an obsession of this little guy for about 6 months now. Sword fights, Peter Pan for Halloween, Jake and Neverland on repeat, Captain Hook's hook...the list of his love for it goes on. 

We had a simple pirate party at home with just our immediate family. We pinned the pirate hat on the skeleton, ate Pirates Booty and "fish & chips" (goldfish crackers and chips), and sipped through pirate flag straws. Jackson LOVED it.

He really got into the pin the hat on the skeleton, although he did not quite understand the whole idea behind the game. He spun around and then looked right where he was going so he could pin the hat on really well. After several spins you would see him stumble trying to take his next step and I had to refrain my laughter. He pinned most everyone's hat and enjoyed it each time. 

I have been making all party cakes/cupcakes so I wanted to continue this. Sticking with the theme I attempted a pirate ship cake. Well....this thing was a sure test of patience, and it didn't even turn out well! The downfall started with my cake being too moist. Even when I cut it, the cake was just sticking to the knife. Then, the design I was following called for it to be triple stacked...yeah right! This soft cake just tilted and leaned with any slight imbalance. It wasn't till the frosting though that I threw in the towel. The cake just peeled away with every wipe of the frosting. I tried softening the frosting, freezing the cake....nothing worked. Finally, as the cake continued to lean further to its demise, I called J downstairs to see his surprise. As SOON as he saw it he lit up with excitement. With a HUGE smile he cheered, "Its a pirate ship!" That was it...that was all I needed...all the hassle of the "failed" cake was worth it. To make things better, as each family member arrived he immediately said "Come see whats on the table...Its a PIRATE SHIP!" :)

Happy Birthday Little Man!