A Loaded Gun!

We have an unusual family tradition. When the kids turn 13 we have a birthday surprise. No not a surprise party but ---- what we do is the surprise. Sometimes "when" we do it is unknown to the recipient as well. "wink"

Matthew turned 13 last November! Yikes! We told him that we wouldn't celebrate until the weather got warmer. Poor boy, he's been on pins and needles for ages. We broke down and had to give him some hints as to when it might happen. We didn't want to torture him.

Well a couple of weeks ago the weather was just right! He took a letter out to our mailbox at the end of the driveway to be posted for me and ------ low and behold there was a loaded gun in the mailbox! A loaded squirt gun that is. That was the beginning of his special day. As he went back up the driveway three of his friends charged out of the tall grass to attack him. "smile"

After thoroughly soaking themselves they came in to find what was next.
I explained that they were going to be given 10 challenges to complete. Each time they successfully survived (wink) they would pick out 2 pieces to a puzzle that would tell them what the prize at the end was going to be!!

Challenge #1: hum a song that our "judges" could name. Sounds easy doesn't it??

Our Judges Tim and Nate

I couldn't believe it. We laughed our heads off. The first song they picked NONE of us could recognize. Here they are humming away. Matthew said that he's known this song ever since he was born! Ha.

Ever heard of "Who Let the Dog Out"???? I wouldn't call that a song. Matthew said he heard it in a local educational toy store! The singers had to pick another song. They came back and tried again. Of course this time their judges were a bit more uncooperative. "smile" At least it was a song, and we all knew it!

Robby picking out some pieces.

Challenge #2: put together a jigsaw puzzle.

Number 3: run up the stairs from the basement to the second story---backwards----- twice.


This challenge is dedicated to our Lainio Grandparents. "kisses"
They had to separate and put in order some playing cards. Not too hard except there are four decks---all with identical backs.

This took a surprisingly long time.

Now what does this puzzle say??

This challenge was really fun to watch. Each had to stand on their head for 5 seconds.
Jason had no problem and was the only one who could do it alone.




This was one of my favorites. Do a relay race up and down the length of our driveway---hopping on one foot----carrying a raw egg-----in a spoon. =)


They were really good, they didn't lose a single egg.


They did ask if they could break a few on their heads though. "grin" Boys!!!



A couple of challenges involved water balloons. No Problem!!






After consuming chocolate this challenge was to suck on a fresh lemon slice without making a face! I can't even read about it without my mouth watering and my teeth feeling weird.




The Bubble Gum challenge. They each had to blow 20 bubbles. The bubble gum was that huge stuff that takes forever to chew up. giggle




Next was their last challenge and so far they had all lived through them!!

Now they each had to eat 1/4th of a container of ice cream----not using the hand that they normally eat with----and using baby spoons.





They were pretty happy about that---for a while. After about half way, one of the boys said, "To tell you the truth this is more like torture!"
(If they couldn't, we didn't make them finish it.)

I would have tried using my feet, how about you??

Then it was time for a swim and just in case they had any room left for food----- pizza and raw veggies for lunch.

What did that clue puzzle say, and what did it mean???

Yep we were off for the afternoon to Action Territory. Hooray!


What's to do there????

Bumper Boats (complete with squirt guns!)

Lazer Tag
(Matthew said this place had something in the air that made the lazer beams show up as you shot! He said that was great!)

Mini Golf

Go Karts

and of course Arcade Games

After cashing in their tickets for prizes we headed home for birthday dessert.
Haley made "Dirt".

YUM!

They had a BLAST!!

Happy 13th Matthew