Celebrating Charlotte's 4th Birthday

While we had a big party last year to celebrate Charlotte's birthday, this year we kept it a little more low key by celebrating at home and then planning a special surprise for her later in the week. On her actual birthday we visited the local children's museum and baked a cake together. I take no credit for the design or flavors, they were completely of her choosing.

Here we are singing "Happy Birthday" to her, and being sure to include her mandatory ending. My favorite part, of course, is at 0:21. Just precious!

On that same day, we also told her about her birthday surprise for Friday. Her reaction is priceless!



And her joy didn't end after this video is over. She talked about it every day and told anyone who would listen about her exciting trip on a balloon ride and lunch at Rainforest Cafe.

Waiting to go up in the Characters of Flight balloon...

Mandatory picture with mom to prove to the adult Charlotte that I really did exist in photographs!

The anticipation of flying is so clear on her face...

Mary and Daddy on the way up...

Our view, half-way up. Eventually, we made it 400 feet into the sky. My only disappointment was that we couldn't see Cinderella's Castle clearly, though we did have good views of Spaceship Earth and Tower of Terror.

The wonder I see on her face excites me. She couldn't take her eyes off everything.

More of our view of Downtown Disney. Charlotte said the people and cars looked like toys.

And blowing out the candle in her ice cream at Rainforest Cafe.

I think this was one of the most exciting days in Charlotte's life. After the balloon ride, she made sure everyone she talked to knew what she had just done. Our waiter probably heard the story 3 or 4 times!