Taelyn's 8th Birthday

For Taelyn's birthday this year, she invited her three closest friends from school over for a little party followed by a sleepover.  Taelyn planned the party for weeks before the big day and knew that she wanted to put together a scavenger/treasure hunt with obstacles and riddles for clues.  So after some brainstorming together, she made a map of campus, we colored it with coffee and burned the edges to make it look old, and I set up the clues and tasks.

Once Taelyn's friends arrived, they quickly got started on the treasure hunt.  They followed riddles to various places on campus in which they all had to complete a task before getting the next clue.  Tasks included climbing a rock wall, riding tricycles across a ramp, playing the bottle flip game, completing a relay on skooters, running a lap around a field, and sinking a bean bag in a corn hole

mount.  Their final clue directed them to an area where five bags of gold chocolate coins were hidden to them to find their "treasure."  All of the girls had a great time and were absolutely exhausted by the end.

Next, we had pizza and cake, followed by opening presents.  All of the girls were quite thoughtful with their gifts and were very excited a sweet watching Taelyn open them up.  Kaelia was very excited to give her a spy kit where Taelyn can crack secret coded messages, track fingerprints, and see behind with rear-view glasses.  Justin and I got her the games Top Trumps and Twister.  Taelyn's friend Logan got her a crayon dry erase board and a huge box of Goldfish crackers.  She was especially excited about the crackers because you can only get them through the embassy here.  Audrey got her a jewelry making kit, and Blanche got her craft supplies and a pocket compass for her exploring around campus.  That was one of her favorites as well!

After presents, the girls watched a movie and ate popcorn.  By the time that was done, it was time for bed. Everyone camped out in Kaelia's room and attempted to go to sleep.  Taelyn was actually passed out within 15 minutes, but the rest of the girls took a bit longer.  Little by little, more of them fell asleep except for two of the girls who claimed they couldn't sleep.  I came in every hour to check on them, and they finally fell asleep around 1 am!

In the morning, we all had pancakes for breakfast, and the girls were picked up to go home.  It was a wonderful party, although Justin and I were quite tired after a lack of sleep.  I think we'll hold off on sleepovers for a while now!

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