Monday, August 10, 2009

Pirate Style

This weekend when I was trying to get some work done and Z was playing with our sweet neighbor M... and it was really quiet. You know, too quiet for two kids on a boat. And here's what I found.

Somebody gifted this nautical tattoo set to us (I wish I could remember who) and it's been a long time favorite. With 100 temporary tattoos it's lasted a LONG time. But Z & M nearly cleaned the thing out in one, quiet, rainy afternoon.

Tattoos are just the icing on the cake.

For our second day of PIRATE WEEK I want to honor my little guy's pirate style. If you look beyond the eye patch and head wear, pirates are all about accessories. Zach spends time practically everyday creating some sort of pirate accessories. For earrings he threads beads on to small loops of embroidery and hangs them over the tops of his ears. Costume jewelry is also a must as are cool belts both kid made and thrift store found.

And unless it's crazy hot weather, he never goes anywhere without his trusty pirate boots.

We never went out and bought pirate costumes. Strips of cloth become head scarfs and sashes. Daddy's old button down shirts with the sleeves cut off become pirate vests. Mama's old sweat pants with the legs cut off in a zigzag and a sash tied tight can be pirate pants. Ribbon and felt become an eye patch or scabbard.

Once the look is complete, it's time to set the scene with some pirate tunes. Here are our favorites:

Sea Music by Dan Zanes (shanties and classic seagoing tunes)
Master & Commander movie soundtrack (amazing soundtrack!)
Paddy West School of Seamanship by The Seadogs (fabulous a cappaella shanties- our fav!)
Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack (Zach has never seen the movie but LOVES the music!)
Swashbuckling Sea Songs

Even though everyday is pirate day for us, you can mark your calendars and plan for a pirate party on September 19 for annual TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

And if you're REALLY bored, did you know you can set your Facebook language to PIRATE? (on the bottom left hand corner where it says English US... click that and find English Pirate in the list. It will blow your mind!)

So plan a day, string your beads, ink your arms, practice your pirate speak, dance around and sing some shanties, and have some fun... who knows, you may even want to live on a boat after a while?
;)
Mama got inked too.

p.s. I am guest blogging over at The Domestic Dork today where the lovely Holly asked me to share some housekeeping challenges aboard a boat. Come have a look!

7 comments:

Kate said...

I love this! What fun-- and what a creative, innovative pirate you have on your hands:)! We were anchored out in Garden Island's harbor-- one of those few uninhabited islands with protection from Lake Michigan's moods-- this week, and I so thought of you! We met some folks who, after hearing a woman talk about her adventures and love of boat living life 20 YEARS AGO finally decided to take the plunge this summer. They officially live on their sweet and lovingly restored sailboat (seven years of planning for that, though they swear it was at first supposed to just be a cottage) and though they are heading north now (to the north channel-- such a piece of heaven) they will be spending the winter in the Bahamas they hope. I know it left "that look" in my husband's eye...ah, dreams in the making...perhaps we'll end up on a dock alongside you someday:)

Joy said...

Love all of Zach's tattoos! Philip likes the Pirates of the Caribbean cd too. He really likes the book on CD as well. Some of the authentic voices and lines from the movie in a more kid-appropriate manner. How fun this pirate week is! Love, love, love the boots!!

j o n i said...

Oh my goodness, I just found you from a comment you left on my blog and, well, what can I say, I am simply amazed! What an enchanting and beautiful life you lead with your family. Seriously? It's like the stuff of movies and books--truly amazing! Lucky, lucky life.

I'll visit often.

xoxo

Willew said...

Thank you for directions on how to change Facebook to pirate english. It made my morning so fun!

Red Charlotte said...

Just read your guest post on cleaning the boat. You really nailed it.

I'm actually working on creating a way to make your bed in about 10 seconds on board. It's gonna be brilliant. I'll let you know when I've done it!

Little Lovables said...

what a fun activity! I am so hosting a pirate week now, thank you for the inspiration :)

gardenmama said...

Completely fabulous boots!!
I agree, dress up is the best when it is from mama and daddy's closet as well as thrift store fun! Lovely ink mama : )

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