Calvin turns five....

Calvin, turned five years old! I can’t believe I have a child almost ready to go to Kindergarten. Turning five is a big deal so we decided to throw our very first official birthday party. We planned the theme around his favorite thing right now – knights. First we started with the invitations, which we created to look like Old English style scrolls, complete with a red wax seal.

The day of the party….

The king of the Davis castle (Adam) welcomed each of the guests as they arrived, addressing each by name (ie. Welcome Taylor of Nash street!”) as the lady of the castle presented each one with the appropriate attire (tunic tied with a gold rope) and protective armor. (helmet created out of milk jugs and spray painted silver)

After a brief tour of the newly constructed castle, (refrigerator boxes) the guests were invited to adorn their recently acquired shields with decorations of their choice, such as glittering diamonds and gems.

When the embellishments were complete, the King called the guests together and explained the purpose of the gathering. Seated around the castle keep they learned they were destined to become knights of the Square Table. But in order to be knighted they had to first prove their worthiness by going on a quest and performing three heroic tasks.














The first task was a test of accuracy. Using a lance with a razor-sharp tip (pool noodle with a straight pin on the end), each guest attempted to prove themselves by charging the awaiting target and bursting the specified objects (balloons).














The next course tested their bravery. Each hopeful had to forge through spider webs (yarn criss-crossed through our deck), scale a treacherous mountain (our stairs blocked with pillows) and attempt to rescue the stolen treasure chest from a ferocious beast (Adam again). The beast had armed himself with a hoard of stones (soft balls) that he hurled at the pursuing challengers. But by using their newly constructed shields, they were able to ward off his attempts and successfully rescue the jewels.














The last task challenged the bravery of the hopeful knights. Armed with only a stick, they took turns swinging at a fearsome flying dragon (piñata), eventually forcing it to expel its devoured food and treasure.














All of the candidates demonstrated both honor and great valor as they successfully completed the three tasks. Their accomplishment was rewarded during the knighting ceremony. Each was granted knight status and presented with the most valued gift of all – a sword. Later on, they celebrated the day at the Feast of Honor, partaking of a masterfully prepared confection in the shape of a dragon. The knights then bestowed gifts on Sir Calvin, the Prince of Davis Castle, who showed particular bravery and fortitude above all else. Thus ended the 9th day of April 2008.