January 06, 2010

his thirteenth best birthday ever

He says it was his best birthday ever... but I think he says that every year.  My heart smiles at the thought... knowing that he truly lives every moment to its fullest.  I try... to make his day special.  It is not always easy to keep the momentum going after Christmas... but for him, I would move heaven and earth.  Camden has loved Seaworld this year... more than I have.  Black and white animals, getting splashed and riding roller coasters... it doesn't get much than that.  Or so he thought...


Cam decided to wait until we were back at the hotel to open his birthday gifts, but I had a special one for breakfast.  You would have thought these penguins were worth millions the way he screeched about them.  And then, as he was lining them up to admire them,  he noticed there were words written on their stomachs.  It didn't take him long to decipher his gift... Come visit us behind the scene at Seaworld.  It was a 60 minute tour that promised touching a penguin... the price was unbelieveably reasonable, since we already has our admission to the park.  And it was so much more than we imagined...





We met a puffin and then... this beautiful king penguin named Coby.  I thought Camden would get to pet it once then we would move on... but Coby was more than happy to hang out and be touched.  His feathers... were soft and almost fluffy.  And it was all I could do to not put my arms around him and give him a hug.  Camden's face shone brightly... and I think he was beyond words.  My camera kept clicking tyring to save the moment, but I know... that emotions like those can hardly be captured.  After about 15 minutes petting Coby, we were invited into the foyer of the penguin enclosure.  Only a two foot high fence stood between us and a whole lotta penguins.  It really was amazing...


Of course, the birthday did not end there.  More rides on the roller coasters and seeing Shamu, chocolate cake and snow.  Well, faux snow.  But Camden didn't care.  He ran and danced and jumped... just loving life... until he caught a bit of that soapy snow on his tongue.  He continued his merriment, but with his mouth closed.  Back at the hotel there were a few small gifts... the perfect way to end his birthday. 

Thirteen.  It chokes me up a bit.  While I am so ready to see him grow and test his wings... I realize that time is passing quicker than I ever thought it could.  Another birthday... come and gone.  And a year of adventure... laying in wait. 
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9 comments :

Anonymous said...

Dawn, someday I want to meet your family. You guys seem like such a nice little bunch of people. Your kids are awesome. :) Happy birthday to Camden!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, I love this. I am so glad you were able to pull off this wonderful surprise. You are so clever and you always make those kids feel special...'cause they ARE!!!!!
I think I know what I want for my 43rd now. :)

carie said...

I'm so happy that his birthday was such a blast...he's one cool kid!!!

Jen said...

Oh lucky 13! Happy Teenage years to you Cam!
What a fabulous gift.

Kelli said...

What a spectacular birthday!!! Better than awesome!! Happy Birthday Camden! BTW I love his name! We even considered it when I was pregnant with Sawyer!

jenn said...

You are a SUPER mom!! What a great surprise for your guy! I Love it!! I know he will treasure 13 for years to come!!

Pam said...

I love this. What a wonderful surprise and I'm glad it was something you could pull off with the little toys. Pretty cool! We did a behind the scenes thing once and got to feed sting rays, but that's about all the touching we did. And I didn't even do that. Eww. Raw fish. But it is pretty cool to be able to see and touch things most guests don't get to experience!

I hear ya on the whole 'another year down' thing. It's getting harder and harder to see the birthdays come. *sigh*

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Happy, happy Birthday Camden! How much fun to get to go behind the scenes at Sea World! I want to do that now and I'm an old lady!
Blessings,
Cassie

Woof! Woof! That's our way of saying Happy Barkday to Camden!!
Smooches from pooches,
BabyRocketDog and Hootie

Unknown said...

Oh, I just LOVE this Dawn! And I LOVE that he was SO excited about it. That is a perfect present. I would LOVE to do something like that for Kaish as he just LOVES animals of all kinds. I will inquire at the New Jersey aquarium! : ) Thank you for helping me think of a perfect gift idea! Hope he has a wonderful year.

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