Hooray for Brookie!

my amazingly talented friend brooke made a template for a really great job chart a little while ago.  i downloaded it as soon as she made it, but i have never gotten around to finishing it... until this last weekend.  Becks was so excited to have a job chart!  with fun, simple jobs he could do all by himself.  we decided to do a ticket system- so each week he fills his WHOLE chart, he gets a ticket.  then when he earns 4 tickets (since he's 4) we get to go to the store & pick a little prize.  this morning before he left to school, he went over to the fridge to see what he needed to do before he left.  needless to say, he thinks it is the greatest idea i've ever had- thanks Brooke for making me look sooooo good!  to get a template to make your own job chart visit Brooke's blog post here & download yours... it's FREE!  Thanks again Brooke for being so creative & generous!

{click on the chart see the details}

a pirate's life for me...

{captain Beckham: age 4}

my sweet little pirate turned 4 this last week & at our house we LOVE a good party.  i am so lucky to have great friends & family to help me fulfill all of my crazy plans!  from rummaging through their Halloween decor to holding my hand while i picked out favors.  even lending me pewter goblets & plates to make the pirate theme complete.  i couldn't have pulled it off with out all of their help!  i have to say, it couldn't have turned out any better!

{one side of the spread}

{foggy brew}

{the full table...}

we served captains crunchy chicken (i used drumsticks instead of nuggets, for more of a pirate feel).  peg leg potatoes(potato wedges) & pirate's blood (ketchup).  fruit skewers & sand dip (brown sugar) & pirate's brew (homemade root beer) for the drink.

{thanks debbie lew for the fun glittered skull & bones}

{the pirate loot cupcakes}

{my homemade holders}

{the boxes...}

for beck's birthday treats for school, he wanted to take the cupcakes.  so i thought i would just put them in a box,  i used 4" square.  but then i had to figure out a way for them to not slide around.  so i  just cut some card stock the width of the box, & then added a quarter inch on each side & folded it over so it would stand up a little.  then i used a 2 1/2 inch circle punch for the cupcake to set in.  it worked like a dream & was super simple.  also then i could embellish the box to fit my theme.

{i tied them up with jute twine & then used the same tags as with the invites.  boy, those came in handy more than once!}

{i went a little banner crazy.  they are super easy & inexpensive so i made this "happy birthday" one & then a bunch of plain ones to hang all around.  instructions here.  i used 12x12 paper so the dimensions are different.  i marked them at 3" & 9" on one side, & 6" on the other.  it is actually a little easier.

{beckham wanted all of his guests to have a hat, sword & eye patch.  the kids loved them!}

{the treasure...}

we took the kids on a treasure hunt through the house.  my mom drew a map that i ripped up into 4 pieces.  the kids loved following the clues to find the treasure.}

{i filled the bags with chocolate coins, bead necklaces, unwrapped ring pops & skull stickers}

{we also played this fun game.  the winner got the his own telescope... just like on the box}

all in all, the party was a hit!  everyone should through a pirate party!

2 days, 2 doctors...1 amazing kid!

This week Becks had 2 doctor appointments. First just his 3 year well child check {i can't believe my baby is 3!}. Then the next morning he saw his cardiologist. Nothing like packin' it all in! Anyway, all I can say is that I have oNe AmAzInG kId!!! Not only was he so good, helpful, patient & funny!! He is growing like a weed & as healthy as any kid his age! I am so grateful for modern medicine & all that they can do now- cause I can't imagine my life without him!!! Here are a few pics from the week. He was such a big helper at Dr. J's. He helped the nurse put on all his "stickers" & then all the "guitar strings" as he calls the EKG wires. After they were all on he "played" himself as if he were a guitar. He totally cracked us all up.

{like i said-he's growin' like a weed!}

{just helpin' with those guitar strings}

{& the stickers}

{i love this picture!}

{Dr. J's tools are just so cool}

{it all sounds great...thump, thump, thump}

{we love Dr. J!}