natalie maed: thirteen

Recently we celebrated our very first "teen " birthday.

Yes, somehow quite mysteriously, my tiny baby boy has grown into a wonderful thirteen year old young man. Like magic. To commemorate such a milestone in the life of our dear son, we created not just a regular birthday celebration day, but

a Quest.

First, we handed him his invitation scroll, where he is offered the choice to accept the challenge of the quest, which although a bit perplexed he eagerly accepted.

On his next scroll, were simple instructions, get everything you think you will need for the day,

grab your bike and helmet and head out. We have a little coffee shop near home where the kids

enjoy a free hot chocolate on their birthday, this was his first stop. Tylor, the girls and I just walked out of the house and went right out to the car, where we pulled out of the drive and just out of sight and waited anxiously for Evan to emerge and begin his journey. Before I left, Evan came out of his room asking, "what should I bring Mama?" I just smiled at him and said You Know what you will need, and then walked outside. About once a week, these kids get the adventure bug and they're popping in and out of the kitchen and various rooms "gathering supplies" for their journey. So, I knew the just given some time and quiet, all those days of rehearsing would connect with his natural instincts and he would Know just what to bring. So, as we sat and waited the minutes feeling like hours, Tylor and I both began to question, should we go inside and see if he is okay? No, we decided, he can do this, and this is our time to let go and show him that we believe in him. Just then he emerged pack on his back helmet on ready to go.

We rode ahead and conspired with the baristas to hand off the next scroll and the family bow and quiver, along with the birthday hot chocolate.

This scroll was written to be a riddle, not too confusing, but just vague enough

to hint at our next meeting stop a nearby park where we rode ahead to set up his first challenge, archery.

I designed the quest with three challenges, one from each of his sisters, Liora was up first, she just loves archery. (we brought his hot chocolate for him, easier to ride with both hands)

A few minutes after setting up, we spot him riding right past us, so we all waved, yelled and generally made about as much noise as we do anywhere we go. Taking off his helmet he tells us he almost went the wrong way, but felt he should check his scroll again to be sure he was going the right way, and then made the turn into the park to where we were. Those instincts.

For the archery challenge, he received his next scroll when he hits the red at the center of the target.

It took a few tries, and with the force of his arrows, Evan actually obliterated the posts holding the target, so adjustments needed to be made, in the end the target was actually on the ground, but he

persisted and won his scroll delivered by his smiling sister.

..within the scrolls are pieces of what he is beginning to realize are to a treasure map..

not sure what do do with it for now he stows them in his pack, and rides to his next challenge,

a photo scavenger hunt.

At the riverfront carousel, Evan made quick work of his list, and was only stumped by the one item on the list his papa suggested, a five mile an hour boat sign under the bridge he crossed.

Checking off each item on the list was Nia's task and once approved, she delivered his next scroll.

Time to figure out what to do next, I wrote his last scroll without instructions on where to go next.

Knowing Evan is a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I had Lilly carrying with her to each challenge a bag which contained his last piece of the map and a shovel. It was up to him to connect the dots that each sister had given him a scroll, and then to ask Lil for the last one.

With a few hints from us, he solved the puzzle and asked Lilly for his final scroll and determined that the map was of our yard.Realizing his next move was a long ride home(and up a hill) he decided it was time for a snack, and the girls enjoyed a brief playtime at the park.

Papa made this special wood box to stow the treasure

Evan's quest was complete, but not over.

As our hero returned home from his journey he

was greeted at the door by his family... as a boy becoming a man.

With each of his sisters holding a gift to bestow on their triumphant brother,

and ladysmith black mambazo playing on Pandora, Papa read his congratulations and welcome home

scroll which highlighted each of the true qualities of a man Evan had proven on his quest.

At each point in the scroll, one of his sisters presented his own pocket knife, a t shirt with a crest depicting his journey and qualities, and a mama made felt birthday crown.

Finally, wearing his shirt and crown, his papa removed his jacket to reveal a matching shirt,

asked Evan to kneel and Knighted him a true Lambson man with the wood sword they made together.