Happy Birthday, Sir L!

One week ago we celebrated the big 8 year old birthday party for my boy, my 'knight in training', along with his younger brother who will soon be turning 4 years old in a week!
Now, sit back and get ready for a ridiculous amount of pictures- it was a fantastic afternoon of dragon slaying, jousting, riddles, feasting, and just plain ol' fun by the Knights of the Round Table! Happy Birthday, to my sweet and chivalrous young men!

First, a summons to all present...

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

By Royal Decree of the Irwin Kingdom,
all knights and ladies gathered here together
on this 25^th of April,
in the 2014^th year of Our Lord,
are hearby summoned by the most honorable and revered King Arthur of Camelot
to participate in this year’s annual
Knight’s Tournament,
to prove your worthiness as a candidate
for the order of “Knight of the Round Table”.
Your wits, strength, and virtue will be tested in “Ye Olde Knights Tournament”
held in yonder arena, a series of special quests of the highest skill. 

Who will prove themselves worthy this day to join the Order of Logres?
God Speed, all of you.”

Then, as it was an early afternoon gathering, with many festivities and quests to accomplish, the Banquet and Feast was held first, with a royal spread to please a knight (or lady!)...

Now, let the quests begin!

First, a test of speed and endurance: A Relay Race

Two teams of knights and ladies. Each leader, equipped with a 'horse' and 'lance' must gallop on your horse, first testing your aim as jousters, joust the target ahead as you ride ahead; next you shall knock the dragon off his tower, thus freeing the dragon's poor victims, imprisoned under the 'mountain', carrying them onward with you; ahead is an evil castle that you must storm, by throwing a 'boulder' at the castle- all the while holding on tightly, but with care, to your rescued victim; on the way back to safety, you must leap over the 'moat', and head home, never dropping your victim or lance, then pass your lance and horse on to your next fellow knight, you will accomplish the same quest as quickly and accurately as possible. Let's see how each team does, and who works together to complete this quest the quickest.

Next, a test of agility and accuracy: Joust Throwing!

Each man for his own in this competition, each knight/lady will get three shots at aiming your lance and throwing it through the target. Who will execute three aims most perfectly?

Third, a test of courage: Dragon Slaying!

Each knight/lady will dip your darts into the poison and then place them individually into your special 'dart thrower', closing through them with all your might and courage, facing the dragon and blowing as many darts as you can to hit the dragon in the heart! 

(Then they took him out back and really slew him!!)

Next, a test of teamwork and keen observation: Puzzle Competition!

In partners, there will be a timed puzzle competition. Each pair will attempt to be the first to complete your puzzle correctly and completely.

Now, a test of creativity: Play-doh Castles!

Each knight/lady must create and build your own castle, using only the play-doh at your disposable. Whose will be the sturdiest, the loveliest, the most Medieval?

A little break for Story Telling of the finest caliber...

Finally, a test of wits: Riddle Quest!

The RiddleMaster will read off the riddles and everyone will see how clever you can be by attempting to answer as many as possible correctly.

At last! The scrumptious moment all the knights/ladies had been waiting for- 

a celebratory cake for the knight of honor this day: Sir L and Sir C, 

full of virtue and valor and vivacity this day, honoring their blessed entrance into this world!

And, of course, there were gifts presented to these two Sires, 

from their gracious and most thoughtful knightly friends and companions.

'Twas a day of greatness, a day of gladness,

a day of great gaiety and glee,

ending a note of gratitude for these two handsome knights.

(What do you expect? Even knights need to kick back and let loose now and then!)