Phillip's P"AARGH"TY

I decided long ago that I was not one for birthday parties every year.  Too much work, and with four kids, it would seem relentless.  So, in our family we do a friend party on even years and a "family" party on odd years.  It has worked out beautifully so far, and because I don't feel like I'm doing parties all the time, when one does come up, I really enjoy getting into the theme and going all out. 

This year Phillip wanted to do a pool party.  The best part about that is that our neighbors, The Meiers, have a pool that they were more than willing to let us borrow, so no mess at my house.  The other great thing was that at our church's youth service auction, I had purchased a "party planning" service by one of the youth.  So she helped with a lot of the details.  She came up with the pirate theme which complimented the pool party perfectly.  We had so much fun!

The Cake:

 The booty:

Bella (from Kindergarten class) and Natalie Rodabough:

Nicholas, Suzette, and Nathaniel Donosky (Nicholas was on Phillip's spring soccer team):

 Phillip's best buddies, Harrison Hoyt and David Rodabough:

 Lighting the candles on the cake:

Walking the plank:

 

 My intrepid party planner, Kassidi Gonthier:

My other helpers, Maile Mayer and Maddie: