Saturday, February 11, 2012

Real Pirates

Coming next weekend, the Science Museum is opening a Real Pirates exhibit! I had a few friends alert me to this news months ago, so we've had it on our calendar forever. But just last weekend, I accidentally stumbled across an event that happened today at the Red Balloon Bookstore in St. Paul- a 'Welcome the Pirates' party! Of course there was no way we could miss this!

When we arrived at the Red Balloon, Pirate Anne Bonney was reading a pirate storybook to a room stuffed full of kids and parents. Max took his place right down front and center, curved his finger like a hook, and yelled "Arrr!" when things got too quiet for his liking. After storytime, the workers handed out bags and the kids got to go on a treasure hunt around the store. On all of the bookshelves were piles of plastic "treasure" - gold coins perfect for any four-year-old pirate.

Then we brought Max over to introduce him to the "real pirates" and get his picture with them. He was, I think, a little star-struck, but he put on his hook and a brave face and posed for some pictures. Between moments of uncharacteristic shyness, Max chatted a little with the pirates, telling them his name was Max Salty and showing them the proper way to walk with a peg leg. I think they were quite entertained by him!

Paul waited with Max in line for face painting while I read books with Louie. When I brought him over to snap a picture of Max getting his face painted, he suddenly realized what he was missing! He threw a fit when another little girl sat in the chair before he could. So after a little time to settle down, Louie got his own face painted too! I was really surprised by how well he did, but as soon as the woman said "All done!" he responded with his own "Ah-Dah!" as he wiped his hand across his cheek. So much for that!

After having a piece of cake (yes it was only 11:00 in the morning... but hey! We're pirates!) and decorating a paper eyepatch with glitter (which will be in Max's hair for a year), we decided the boys were partied out and we went home for a relaxing afternoon (read: after lunch, Mom took a 2 hour nap). What a fun way to welcome the pirates to St. Paul!





2 comments:

Monica G. said...

I am so happy for Max :) This must have been an awesome event for him. I love the skull and crossbones!

Anonymous said...

is that a picture of the new baby on max's face :)