That morning, the adults met up at the porch to discuss how to set up a memorable treasure hunt. The plan was simple, create a treasure hunt that led to the Lakeside Lodge, where Teri would set up a hot tub with treats, toys and drinks. All the adults met up at Mason and Natalie’s bedroom whilst the children were outside playing soccer or tag. Everyone contributed a small idea which formed a treasure hunt.
“Teddy and Tedda should be a clue,” suggested Harlin.
Mason chimed in, “And simple notes with riddles.”
“They should be hidden around the house,” Teri added.
“Perhaps, it could go to the Toy Shop,” Natalie brought up.
“At the end, there could be a hot tub with lots of treats!” declared Heidi.
Now with a detailed idea of how the treasure hunt would go, the adults woke up extra early to make their preparations. Clues were hidden throughout the Cloverleaf Countryside right before Harlin and Mason had to go to work. Heidi had sneakily taken Teddy away from Honey and Hopper’s crib.
Teri had made a quick trip to town, 30 minutes after the sun rose to turn in her VERY TERI article and buy cake.
Natalie aided Heidi in putting a mixture of objects that represented something and notes around their homes. There were even notes underneath the sink at Natalie’s home. Or a teddy bear beside the box of tarts in the Country Kitchen!
When Hopper got up, he crawled over next to the bed to locate Teddy. Honey wasn’t awake yet, along with the other babies. Hopper felt like he let out everything he wanted to say (which wasn’t much considering that he was merely 2 years old) and Teddy would just listen. Of course, Teddy’s cute posture and comforting expression helped make the young rabbit feel better. However, this morning there was no Teddy. He was missing! The last time this happened, Teri had taken them to give them a good wash, but it didn’t feel like Teri took Teddy this time because Hopper swore he had said ‘good night’ to Teddy last night. Curiously, he crawled over to his parents’ bed and sure enough there he was. In his arm was a yellow pencil, pointing downward.
Following the sign, Hopper waited patiently for Bell to bring him down the ladder. Bell left to make her bed, leaving Hopper time to investigate what exactly was going on. He fumbled through the cabinets, and eventually made a can of ‘Clean Spray’ leak. The bathroom never smelt better in which it was now filled with fresh floral scents. Eventually, Honey, Grace and Henry woke up and began helping Hopper with his treasure hunt.
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“Big girls lots of help!” chided Grace as she opened a cabinet door. Inside was a picture of a strawberry tart.
The gang went to the kitchen and for good measure Hopper ate the strawberry tart. Just in case there was something inside, he told himself.
Honey did notice their other teddy bear, Tedda, beside the tart box. “Look! It’s Tedda!” she pointed out.
Just then, Bellia came over from the dining room. “Hello there!” she cheered, already knowing what she was supposed to do.
The babies let out small waves before Bellia suggested they go to the Toy Shop to find more pieces of the puzzle. “Who drive us? Daddy already at Toy Shop.” Grace asked logically.
“Well, it looks like we’ll have to find out. Let’s go to our fellow neighbor’s house.”
The five of them went over next door and Natalie let them search her kitchen for clues. Finally, Honey opened the sink door and found a note underneath the fork.
It said that their ride was going to be the color of the tart, they ate. “Red!” shouted the babies in unison.
Honk! Honk! Heidi came by in red Cherry Cruiser (of which Teri had lent Heidi) and shouted, “All aboard! Next stop, the Toy Shop of Cloverleaf Corners!”
Henry, Honey, Hopper and Grace rush into their aunt’s car and Heidi Choch drives them over to her husband’s workplace. There was Skip, outside the Toy Shop. The babies were dropped off and Skip offered them help. “To find the treasure you seek, follow the colorful stones.”
He pointed downwards to the pastel purple stone below his foot. The babies nodded and squealed in delight each and every time they found another stone. Soon, the stones led to the Lakeside Lodge and Teri swung the door wide open. “Hello dearies,” she exclaimed, “There’s a treasure waiting for you.”
The babies jump up and down and the remainder of the stones led to Teri’s hot tub. Around the edges of the hot tub was a vanilla cake, and glasses of lemonade. The babies jump in (without even taking off their clothes) and cheer. It was just the right temperature and there are lots of their favorite snacks. “Who wants ice cream?” Teri asks, taking out a sundae with 4 forks.
“I do!” the four of them scream, before they start splashing some bubbles around.
After everyone finished eating, Teri revealed another surprise, Ballerina Bunny and Sharko, which Heidi had given her this morning. Grace, Honey, Hopper and Henry spent the entire afternoon in the hot tub. It took plenty of coaxing to get them to return home.
Hopper smiled to himself when getting back from the Lakeside Lodge, he had found a treasure of his own.
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