Charlotte's 4th birthday!

Today was Charlotte's birthday.  It is hard to believe she is 4 years old already.  Originally, I wanted to take her to Disneyland for her birthday, but it is so hot here and I kept reading reviews talking about the long lines without any shade and decided that it wouldn't be the best idea.  I am really glad we didn't try it, because there were thunderstorms this morning and I had also read reviews about how they close all the outdoor rides for hours if there is a thunderstorm warning.

Charlotte's pose this morning when I asked to take her picture.  She really wanted to wear her leggings today, even though it was in the 90s.

 I was a little concerned about trying to make a cake in my toaster oven, so I asked Charlotte if she wanted to get a cake at the bakery.  We had several conversations about how we were going to go to the bakery so she could pick out the kind she wanted.  This morning, I was cooking something in the kitchen and Charlotte asked when I was going to make her cake.  I reminded her we were going to get it at the bakery.  She matter-of-factly told me that I was going to make her cake, she didn't want to get it at the bakery.  So, instead of a trip to town to go to the bakery, we walked to the store to buy a cake mix.  I also had to borrow a mixer from the neighbor.  The toaster oven worked great and the cake was really good. I am glad she changed her mind.  :)

We had either planned on Tom taking the day off and us doing something as a family, or the kids and I going to the island to do something fun and Tom meeting us for lunch.  Tom ended up having to make his first trip to China today for some meetings, so we will go to the island and meet him for lunch tomorrow.

After lunch, I made some "Frozen" snow from a recipe my mother-in-law sent me.  Charlotte had a lot of fun playing with her dolls. Cinderella and Ariel had to stand in for Elsa and Anna. 

Then, Charlotte had ballet and we stopped and got a treat at the bakery on the way home (the local bakery, not the one where we were going to get the cake.)  We played at home until Tom got back from work, then we went up to the country club for dinner.  After dinner, we had cake (and ice cream) and Charlotte opened her presents (we bought a few presents here and several of our family members had sent presents with us when we left). 

We had a little time to play with her new presents, then it was time to get showers and finish the night with the birthday tradition of Tom reading Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss (or Birthday Bird as we call it in our house.)

Overall, it was a good day. We love her so much and can't believe how fast she is growing up.