August turned two not long ago. And, as we do when someone around here has a birthday, we made him a scavenger hunt.
Here’s the first clue. Can you tell what it is?
That’s right. It’s a basketball hoop. This will become important in a minute.
We took the clue to August, who was hanging out in Alden’s bunk bed. We explained the challenge. We showed him the clue.
Clearly he was up for the challenge. He ran down the hall, right toward the basketball hoop.
And…right past the basketball hoop. I showed him the clue again.
And something seemed to click. Newly energized, he ran back toward the basketball hoop.
He got himself a chair, climbed up…
…and took a close look.
There he found the next clue. I’d love to show you a picture of it, but our documentarian was too busy following the action to stop and shoot photos of a piece of paper.
The next clue featured a drawing of our antique gas pump. August investigated and…
…found the next clue.
Can you tell what it is?
August could. Fully aware that Christmas was still two weeks away, he peered under the tree.
And when peering alone proved insufficient, he crawled under the tree. Way under the tree.
And wouldn’t you know it, he found another clue.
This one showed a picture of a dog. And not just any dog.
This dog. Who, instead of being honored, was clearly mortified at the thought of being pictured on a clue. (The careful observer will see the clue in question hanging from the collar of the mortified dog.)
Iggy sat patiently in mortified silence while August removed the clue from her collar.
The clue contained a picture of our electronic keyboard, but August was either confused or distracted, because he headed back to the basketball hoop.
When this proved unfruitful (and under the guidance of his sister, who was eager to see the treasure hunt’s exciting conclusion), August made his way to the piano. Where he found another clue.
This clue featured a puzzling drawing. It looked like a frog. It had a handle. But what was it?
Alden and Kato knew.
And a moment later, so did Augie. He lifted the basin of his porta pot, and there, beneath…
…was his super secret surprise birthday present.
Alden and Kato looked on with dread anticipation while August (far too slowly for their tastes) unwrapped his present.
Moments later, the contents spilled out in all their glory.
It was his very own appliqued birthday boy shirt! Made by my mom. August’s chest swelled with pride.
Proud of his success, he took a bow.
August’s big day continued with a birthday card from his great grandma Jeanne.
There was a heart on the back and lots of love inside.
Love and mad cash. August’s net worth skyrocketed in an instant. He took a deep breath and took it all in. “Yeah,” I heard him mutter, “It’s good to be two.”
Later that night, we had some cake. And two candles. Which he blew out with surprising skill and confidence.
He keeps doing things I didn’t realize he had learned. Apparently, he’s watching. Apparently, he’s paying attention.
Apparently, he’s two.
That sure happened fast.