Escape the Dragon’s Lair :: 16th Birthday

by | Feb 8, 2018 | Birthday Parties, Happy Birthday, Precious Moments: 02 | 11 comments

Yesterday we spent the day celebrating Ranger’s 16th birthday! Other than booking an Escape Room for the birthday boy and some of his friends/family, I hadn’t done much to prepare before hand, but it all came together and he had such a fun day. 
After breakfast, and while the cake was cooling, he and I headed to town. Our first stop was the DMV! Even though he hadn’t started studying for the test we decided to give it a shot. The long wait was worth it (he studied the manual while waiting) and we left with his Learner’s Permit. He’s excited to finally start driving! After that we got him his birthday Freeze from Dutch Bros, picked up take-and-bake pizzas, and stopped at the store for party supplies and cake decorations. 
Next on the schedule was the Escape Room with his older brother, dad, two uncles and four friends! 

What are Escape Rooms? They are like real-life video games or mysteries where you and a group of friends are put inside a room with 1 hour to figure out how to get out by finding clues and solving puzzles. Requiring team work, cooperation, and intelligence, Escape Rooms are a challenging and exciting game unlike anything else you have ever played.

Last year they completed the DaVinci’s Secret: Search for the Holy Grail for one of their friend’s birthdays so we picked Escape the Dragon’s Lair!

Can you survive and escape from one of the most fearsome creatures in existence?
For centuries there have been stories of dragons. All over the world, nearly every culture has myths and legends about these huge creatures.

While traveling you and a group of friends heard about another legend: The King’s Gold. The legend said that the gold could be found in the lair of a dragon. Reading through the legends, you are certain you have figured out where the gold is hidden. Is it really guarded by a dragon? If so, what chance do you have of ever getting the gold…or even escaping with your life?
Why just play a game when you can live it!

After making the rounds to pick up friends and drop them off at the Escape Room, I headed back home to quickly finish the cake and start cooking the pizzas.

The birthday boy requested a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake and I decided to turn it into a “Piñata Cake” filling it with his favorite candy, following the “Escape” theme!  The cake itself was just three 9″ gluten-free chocolate layers filled with Reece’s Pieces. I used the Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate Peanut Butter Glaze recipes from Smitten Kitchen and then decorated it with Reece’s Pieces, Reece’s Minis, and Reece’s Miniatures.

The girls and I also made a Veggie Dragon… 
… a pile of gold (Nacho Cheese Popcorn)…

… and a couple Salted Caramel candy Keys
The little kids all had fun getting dressed up while they waited for all the boys (and Ranger’s godparents) to show up for the rest of the party! 

The birthday boy’s main gift was some money to put towards golf clubs for this upcoming season, but we did put together this little tower of treats for him too! He also received some gift cards from his friends, Sushi Go! – The Pick and Pass Card Game from his older brother (the teens had a blast playing it until after 11pm last night), and the LEGO Architecture Arc De Triomphe

Happy 16th Birthday! 

11 Comments

  1. Sunny-Gem

    I love that picture with your younger children all making serious faces and Grace doing her cute baby grin! 😀

    2018-02-08 22:16:43

    Reply
  2. Guest

    You have a gift for bringing joy! God be praised!!! I love sharing your site with a friends. Happy happy birthday!!!

    2018-02-09 04:23:57

    Reply
  3. Chandra

    Happy birthday!! What a fun day. Our kids share a birthday! My oldest daughter turned 16 yesterday as well. :). It was so fun to see your son’s birthday photos on here today. Wishing him all the best this year and in the future. As an aside, I love your blog. It’s been amazing following you on here. God Bless.

    2018-02-09 04:58:25

    Reply
  4. Christine M.

    Happy birthday to Ranger! I thought it funny that you did a pinata cake for him–I just did one for my daughter's birthday, although yours looks much better. 🙂 God bless!

    2018-02-09 06:04:20

    Reply
  5. Karen

    Happy Birthday Ranger! What a fun party he had! The escape room, awesome cake and being surrounded by friends and family. God bless to you and your family!

    2018-02-09 06:57:14

    Reply
  6. TheresaEH

    Happy Birthday to your brand new 16 year old with a drivers permit 😉 I cannot decide what is sweeter, that yummy cake or the adorable baby!!!!! Drooling all the way from Canada eh!

    2018-02-09 13:02:25

    Reply
  7. Karen H

    WHOA you know how to make a memory!! Fantastic ideas and an amazing cake! What a mom!!

    2018-02-09 13:19:17

    Reply
  8. Marilyn

    Wishing Ranger a year of happiness and blessings. Congratulations on your learners permit. God Bless. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANGER

    2018-02-09 21:06:20

    Reply
  9. Marion

    I love the way you celebrate birthdays. Most people don't celebrate birthdays anymore. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANGER Good Luck with your driving. Marion

    2018-02-09 21:08:26

    Reply
  10. Joan

    Congratulations on your receiving the drivers license for the first try. The cake looks delicious. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANGER Wishing you a year of blessings. Joan

    2018-02-09 23:02:41

    Reply
  11. Kristina

    So talented! Thanks for sharing!

    2018-02-10 23:17:43

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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