X marks the spot

Today we celebrated my son's 6th birthday at Adventure Studios in Vancouver. All three kidlets put on their pirate costumes and we set off to see if this pirate party place I'd found via craigslist was going to match all the hype I'd been giving it for weeks. Months, actually.

This morning I had a moment of panic when I realized I'd given out all the invitations and didn't have directions. I typed in their website, howbravedoyoufeel.com, but the only thing that came up was a Network Solutions page saying the domain name was expiring. I do believe my breath caught in my throat. (A cliched heroine reaction that I still use because in some cases it does work and as I proved today actually can happen.) I used google to get the phone number all the while trying to figure out what I would do with almost 20 kids at the last minute if they were no longer in business.

Needless to say, my worries were completely unfounded. The place was awesome, so much better than I expected. Even the hubby was impressed and didn't hesitate when I asked for cash to tip them. (This after I'd had to give him a complete breakdown of what this party was going to cost us a few hours earlier.)

The kids (16 boys and 3 girls) had so much fun. They laughed, screamed and played along with the entertaining and funny pirates and the puppets. There was only one really scary moment-darkness, a fog machine and secret passage way-but we managed to get the two kids somewhat frightened by the situation through it. And the reward was worth it: giggle grog, cake and ice cream.

The best part was all I had to do was mail out the invitations they provided, get favors (optional actually since they give a bandana, eye patch, gold coin and puppet to each child) and show up on town. The pirates, bless their scurvy hearts, took care of everything else. Exactly the kind of party this mommy on deadline needed.

It's after ten now. My three little pirates and my one big pirate are tuckered out and hit the bunks early tonight. Too much swaggering and treasure hunting. I'm halfway to my page goal and at this rate, I may make it before midnight!!! Now that will be something to celebrate and worth of a toast with giggle grog.