we aren't the 'humungo party every year' kind of fam.we usually celebrate with a small, intimate, gathering of closest pals.
not this year, i guess.
this year the girls thought we could do a simple little neighborhood thing.
well,that turned into a full fledged,all-out neighborhood production ofa brookes versionamazing race birthday party.(wow. that was a mouthful, wasn't it?) so if any of you are interested in creating your own game.grab a notepad and pencil. this is what we did.and i think it was a hit...first stop...the teaserour invitation
this got their juices flowingand the talk of the hood as to what was yet to come...
*hint to race organizers:enlist the help of some solid
roll-up-your-sleeve helpers.you'll need them every step of the way.
was lucky enough to have the help of this little lady (and her hubs and #1 son among others)for undying assistance at each stationso let's get started.
this is what greeted the racers as they entered
the race zone
peeps began arriving at 3:30race started at 4:00sharponce racers started to arrive and race time neared we gathered the peeps to officially divide the teams
we had 4 teams
of 2 or 3 racers:
this is how we
grouped each team...
khloekimkourtney
harryronhermione
mary kate ashley
galepeetakatniss
stickers were placed on each team members back. yes or no questions only.not allowed to ask same racer two questions in a row.racers had to figure out who's name was on their back...
ready go!
racers had to not only figure out who was on their back,
but who they were coupled with.once they did, they got their buff
(bandanas from wallie)
gave racers quick review of race rules:1. wear buffs at all times
2. all racers must be present when
challenge clue is being received or read.
3. all challenge cards must be turned in at
final race mat to win.
4. each team must have one working cell phone with
them them all times.
5. no team may start a challenge
until all racers are accounted for.
6. no single racer can complete
two individual challenges in a row.
we had 6 challenges two roadblocks,one detour and one fast forward.
this is what our challenge cards looked like(i had fun with this part,guess it's the teacher in me)
let the race begin:
CHALLENGE 1: "lap it"racers needed to choose their quickest racer to run a .04 miles around neighboring cul de sac
ROADBLOCK:"text it"racers had to text birthday girlsone birthday message using 50 characters or moreand include one thing they liked about each girl.
CHALLENGE 2: "raw or fried?"teams had to run to club house,and one brave racer had to choose betweena raw and fast serving of potatoesor a slow order of french fries for their next clue.
ROAD BLOCK:"sing it"choose a random customer eating in club house,and sing in their sweetest, softest voice,a full rendition of 'happy birthday' in honor of the birthday girls.
first team to complete both tasks was awarded a coveted
FAST FORWARD "want a ride?"
3 bikes with helmets available to ride to next pit stop
this brings us to
CHALLENGE 3:
"piece it"
after making their way back to home base,
teams had to put together
a 100 piece puzzle.
perfect for a much needed rest 
and a little hydration. 
CHALLENGE 4:
"recite it"
teams had to use their cell phone
and call for one listen
to a specific robert frost poem.
the goal was to memorize the poem
and recite by memory at their
next pit stop for their next clue.
no pencils, or pens...
did i mention by memory?
they could call for another listen as many
times as they'd like.
CHALLENGE 5:
"blind leading the blind"
using one caller and one blind folded
teams had to make their way through
back yard obstacle course listening to
cues from caller
for their next clue.
DETOUR:
"decode it"
after obtaining a bag of beans at the
end of their blindfold challenge,
teams had to find a hidden code written within
the beans.
this code is the combination
to a lock which would open a trunk
that would contain their next clue.
combo code:
2-6-98
(twins birthday!)
finally,
last challenge
CHALLENGE 6:
"party parade"
after reaching pit stop,
racers had to pick one item
from each of two bins:
"wear it"
variety of hats, masks, metallic,floral head bands
or hawaiian lei
"make noise with it"
noise makers
after donning their new party attire,
the team had to make their way back to
the final pit stop
(btw, we wanted to hear the teams
before we saw them)
they had to be singing
"for she's a jolly good fellow..."
first team to make it back to the winners mat claimed first place.
and look who came in first 
this is what they walked away with...that and the title 
runners up...
it was great fun had by all
we ended the evening with home made pizza, gathered around the table and talked of strategy, clues and reflections on the big race.
the piece de resistance,however, was the video montage of the entire event,thanks to mr. huston, himself.
that was the biggest hit of all. we are now going to have apost-race party for another look at the fun. we might even invite parents for a looksie 
it was a group effort and one we all won't soon forget. hope you enjoyed the amazing racebrookes style
thanks for checking us out.
