Noah wanted a mystery Scooby Doo party for his fourth birthday. So Momma tried to deliver. I had a lot of fun planning it. Noah and I had a good time shopping and buying all the decorations, too. The theme was a little bit of the 70s with tye dye and peace signs and a dash of Halloween mixed in for fright - cobwebs, skeletons, purple twinkly lights and glittery candlesticks. Plus The Gang was there, too - Freddy, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby Doo.
We decided to have frozen custard with a variety topping choices instead of the traditional cupcakes. Using a Living Social deal for $40, I was able to serve 50 people vanilla or chocolate frozen and their choice of topping. We had everything from Moon Monster Pieces (crushed Oreo cookies) to Sea Creature Bait (sour gummy worms). Each topping was named after a monster or villian from Scooby Doo and was presented with a name plate complete with the monster's picture. Noah was adament that he have lots of monsters at his party. Making the topping names into monsters was an easy way to do it.
Weeping Willow Bark - sliced almonds
Devil Bear Gummies - gummy bears
Creeper's Mint Chips - Andes mint pieces
Zombie Tokens - Fruity Pebbles cereal
Ghost Clown sprinkles - confetti sprinkles
Sea Creature Bait - sour gummy worms
Red Beard's Treasure - Reese's Pieces
Leprechaun Coins - M&Ms
Scarecrow Toffee Bars - crushed Heath bars
Ruh-Oh! Health Food! - fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries
Tar Monster Sledge - chocolate syrup
Werewolf Drool - carmel syrup
Dracula's Blood - strawberry syrup
Space Kook Juice - lemon lime Gatorade
We rested on four clues since Noah was turning four. The object of the mystery was much like a scavenger hunt. Mastermind, a supervillian, stole all of Noah's presents when he wasn't looking and hid them somewhere in the house. Noah and his friends needed a spyglass to look for clues and a mystery bag to collect goodies along the way. It was a lot of fun creating, writing and hiding the clues inside and outside the house. (And praying that the expected rain would hold off until the mystery was over...and it did.)
Ruh Oh! Mastermind is at it again!
He’s stolen the presents. We have to find them!
Noah, get your friends to help save your birthday
Before this villain causes any more dismay.
There will be four clues to help you find the gifts
Maybe Scooby and the gang can give you a lift.
You’ll need a mystery bag and spy glass
To collect goodies and look real fast
You’ll need the help of a few mommies and daddies
To think really hard what the answer might be..
Clue #1: The mailman brought you something. Where would you find it?
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So you see it was the mailbox
Well let’s see if you’re as sly as a fox!
You’ll have to think really hard to get the next clue
Remember, I’ve stolen all those presents from you.
Do you think you can figure it out?
Or are you going to give up and pout?
You'll need a helping hand.
This next clue requires you to dig in the sand.
Here’s your next clue:
Clue #2: ‘X’ marks the spot for this buried treasure. See if you can find it in the backyard.
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Here’s your next clue:
Clue #2: ‘X’ marks the spot for this buried treasure. See if you can find it in the backyard.
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You uncovered my treasure? You found the gold?
You are much smarter than I was told.
You’re getting closer and closer to the end
Are you having fun with all your friends?
This next clue requires hurting Scooby
Pulling and popping him will be a doozy.
Here’s your next clue:
Clue #3: Pull Scooby Doo until he bursts. He holds the final clue.
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I’ve hidden the next clue very well.
But first I’m putting you under a spell
I command you to stop and take a rest
Before you go back to this test
Go back inside and have a cool treat
We’ll sing you a song. It’ll be sweet!
Here’s your next clue:
Go to the place where we have dinner for a frozen treat and a happy song. Then the final clue will be read.
Final Clue: Now that your frozen treat is gone, where would you find a blanket to keep warm?
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Alas! You’ve defeated me, Noah and friends!
But I promise this is not the end.
I will plot my next mystery
To create villain history
I would have gotten away with this if it wasn’t for you meddling kids!
- Mastermind
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The first clue sent the kids to the mailbox then it was off to the sandbox in the backyard to dig up buried treasure. Clue #3 led them to the Scooby Doo pinata. The fourth clue put everyone under a spell for a frozen treat and a happy song. Then the presents were discovered in the entertainment cabinets in the living room. At each stop the kids collected goodies in their mystery bags - things like rubber monsters, peace stickers, playdough, monster teeth, psychodelic bouncy balls, Dum Dums, Scooby Snacks and glow-in-the-dark bracelets. It was much like trick-o-treating on Halloween!
Lots of friends and family came to celebrate our boy. It's such a blessing to know Noah is so loved. I know I did a good job for Noah because the day after his party he said, "Momma, can we hide all my presents again and follow clues to find them?" I know he had a good time if he asks to do it again!
Thank you to Nana (and Masha and Aunt Angi) for all the hard work and love that went into that fabulous Scooby Doo birthday cake! Thank you to Mimi for taking pictures. Thank you for "Auntie" Kamrin, Morgan and Lindsey for dishing up ice cream. Thank you to Shelby for helping me set up the toppings. Thank you to a few friends at work for letting me borrow those glittery candlesticks as decoration. Thank you to Lexi for making sure we had a video of the mystery unfolding. And thank you to everyone who came to the party or sent Noah something in the mail. We are so touched you took time out of your schedules to think of our son. That means more than you know.