Keats turned nine on Saturday! The plans this boy had for his birthday were so very Keats. His list was impossible, but thankfully he was pleased with what we were actually able to squeeze into his special day, a day he has been counting down the days towards for over a month.
In a delightful turn of events (especially for this homeschooling mommy), Seth decided that he wanted Keats to have a birthday scavenger hunt. He orchestrated the whole thing, and despite having always been a reluctant writer, he actually wrote clues (that rhymed!) for each stop along the hunt. I would love to share some of them here, but Seth forbid me to. Besides, this is Keats’ birthday post.
Saturday, while the skies were beautiful and clear, Jonny and I (okay, mostly Jonny) made Keats’ requested cake. He asked for a chocolate bundt cake with raspberry sauce, chocolate glaze, and homemade whipped cream. Just as the cake went in the oven and Jonny and Seth were ready to head out to put the scavenger hunt together, snow started flying like crazy. Not to be deterred, Seth hunted down plastic baggies to put the clues in and placed Keats’ birthday gifts in a trash bag. Then, he and Jonny headed out into the woods on the four wheeler to set things up. By the time everything was in place, the snow had stopped. It was really, really cold though. And that is why Jonny ended up walking the entire hunt holding a wool blanket around his body (at my request) to keep Silas extra warm (and that is what inspired this.)
Keats raced through the hunt and it was hard to keep up. We all had fun watching him try to figure out the clues and laughing at the times when Seth pretty much gave them away. There were gifts at the end of the hunt: requested pajama pants and a metal detector so that he can join Seth on his treasure hunts. For fun, Jonny had buried a standing liberty quarter that I bought at the local coin shop (Keats knew as soon as he eventually dug it up that Jonny had buried it–it was in a labeled cardboard slip.) As we stood around in the cold though waiting for Keats to find the coin, with Jonny not remembering exactly where he had buried it, things began to feel a little ridiculous. But soon enough, the coin was unearthed and we headed home for cake. (The cake was really good!)
I don’t think Keats will ever forget this birthday. It was a big deal that his big brother created this scavenger hunt for him.
Happy Birthday Keatsy baby. We love you so. much. And yes, of course you can have your very own treasure hunting post.
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
happy birthday to your boy! love those close brothers, my boys are the same, best friends. and i love that papoose.
February birthdays are the best. 9 was my favorite age, Keats! Happy happy!
Wow, what fun! Happy birthday to your boy x
Great idea Seth! I bet your brother just LOVED his Birthday scavenger hunt! Many happy returns Keats, Happy Birthday! Next year you’ll be in the double digits! Don’t get there too fast! Here’s to a great year, from snowy Colorado!
Happy Birthday to Keats! February babies are wonderful…of course I am biased
It looks like you had a wonderful day. Your photos are beautiful. I also love your blog header; the red coat against the snowy branches is stunning.
I think Keats has fabulous taste! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! It’s nice to have birthday outside in February! My son turned 8 on 5th of January and we spent also his special day outside on the beach. It started to blizzard but it was interesting and the kids loved it!
Happy (late) Birthday, Keats!!! Your day was really special. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Also glad you got a metal detector too. Now you can search for buried treasure along with Seth.
–Marj
Happy Birthday Keats! It was a great idea that scavenger hunt….Speaking of metal detectors, when you posted about Seth and his findings I had James read your post with me. I asked him to comment in the end , I wanted him to reply. He was really laconic. Mum: James what would you like to say to Seth? James: I want a metal detector.
End of it!
What a great way to celebrate!!! Happy Birthday Keats!
Happy Birthday to Keats, and Seth, what a great idea!
Peg
What a wonderful way to celebrate turning nine! Happiest birthdays Keats!
What an awesome and thoughtful birthday! Happy Birthday, Keats!
Love the pajama pants!
Happy Birthday, Keats! God Bless You Always~!
Lovely togetherness.
Awesome! We did a scavenger hunt for last year’s presents (um… they weren’t wrapped and I felt so badly but then we quickly did clues and hid presents without wrapping them). Our kids (twins) just said they wanted that again for this year, that is was the BEST! Bet Keats always remembers this birthday!
Happy birthday! Looking forward to the scavenger hunt posting!!
Happy Birthday Keats, we share the same birthday but add 30 years on to mine. Looks like everyone had a wonderful day, what a thoughtful brother you have. Cake sounds delicious!! I got applesauce, chocolate chip and walnut muffins. Those handknit jumpers look so beautiful, or should I say ‘handsome’ on you boys.
Sounds like a wonderful day, love your photos, thanks for sharing…
That sounds like a wonderful birthday! Makes me want to do a scavenger hunt with my kiddos! And please share where you go Silas and Beatrix’s hats please!
Happy Birthday Keats! How magnificent your name is and how loved you are.
Stephanie (waving at you from France).
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful celebration for your son… such a wonderful family! +JMJ+
Sounds like the perfect day!
Happy birthday, Keats!
What a sweet and special birthday! It sounds like so much fun.
Happy Birthday to Keats. It really sounds like a birthday of dreams.
And Happy birth day to you mama.
Happy Birthday to dear Keats! And happy birthing day to you, mama! What a wonderful gift to give. It sounds like a simple fantastic celebration (but I must admit it looks so very cold to this southwesterner).
Oooh, the kid has taste! There is nothing better than raspberry and chocolate, unless it is raspberry and chocolate with whipped cream!
Happy birthday, Keats!
Happy Happy Birthday, Keats! I hope it was a beautiful day…it looks like it was such fun. I have a six year old here who loves scavenger hunts, too, and we have made similar ones for his big day. We have also hidden puzzle pieces in plastic bags (November birthday) and hidden them for the children to find. Good times. And, Ginny, happy birthing day to you! A lovely family you share with us:)
xo Jules
P.S. I think that Keats has just about the best name ever!!!
What a sweet way to celebrate such a big day. Inspiring. Happy Birthday Keats!
jen
Happy Birthday Keats!
Happy Birthday Keats! What an awesome birthday party. Such a wonderful idea for a scavenger hunt and the fact that big brother put it all together is even better. Your cake sounds simply delicious too. Glad you all had a wonderful day!!
What a wonderful idea. My Charlotte’s seventh birthday was friday! Happy Birthday Keats!
Happy, happy birthday Keats, from all of us! We’re looking forward to hunting treasure with you really soon.
Happy birthday to your nine year old, Keats! It sounds like you guy’s had a wonderful celebration.
Happy Birthday Keats! I can’t wait to read your treasure post!
Happy Birthday Keats! You are lucky to have a brother that would go to such trouble for you
That’s a lovely idea Seth had to celebrate his brother’s birthday! It seems very generous indeed. And I think it’s a great idea to share an hooby with siblings, that will bring them closer together!
Happy birthday!
Don’t little boys just LOVE scavenger hunts? We have done them in our city yard for a few birthdays. My older son has made a few “just because” scavenger hunts for my younger son now, but they are getting to the point that they need more space (a space like yours would be ideal). I am debating doing the next one at our local conservation area if I can get permission.
Thanks for the inspiration
Happy Birthday Keats!!! May the treasures you find bring you much joy!