Three years in a row now.

Yay, me!

What started as a spur-of-the-moment decision to hold a little Easter treasure hunt has become a yearly tradition, with Raven looking forward to it the same way she anticipates Christmas. And for as long as she does, I will continue to rack my brain for activities that will make it exciting, fun, and educational at the same time because I still believe that she has to “earn” her reward and also because I can be a masochist like that.

As a nod to Raven’s obsession for fidget toys early this year, I decided to use the ones she had lying around for the clues instead of buying a box of Ferreri Rochers that I end up bingeing on because Raven doesn’t really like them and the only reason why I buy them is because I do. Sort of like a little treat for me for all the organising and planning I have to do leading up to the hunt.

For the activities, I made her do some gymnastics tricks on the floor, solve a maths equation by adding numbers in the gajillion bajillion digits, play Line Up 4 against Jeff (she needed to win in order to move on to the next clue), and do inventory with the Woolies Bricks Farm that coworkers were so kind to collect for me knowing I had a 6-year old who might like them.

This year’s prize was a Toca Boca Home Designer Dream Bundle, a mobile video game that got her decorating houses and buildings and role-playing with her characters. She had been wanting that premium bundle for some time. It was also when I realised that her interest for toys and entertainment had evolved.

The prize was written on the last page of the book that we love to read together at bedtime. It’s called The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson. A tear-jerker of a book that reminds you of the cycle of life and how each and every moment with your daughter is so, so, so precious. Those moments become memories as they grow up to become mothers of their own.

May these moments bring love and joy to her existence when she looks back on them. May she know how deeply we cherish her, simply for being her.

Such an awesome kid.

*Raven at 6 years old