She had quite a birthday!

We have a fifteen year old!  Charlotte is growing up too fast in our eyes!  However, she is excited to experience all that being fifteen has to offer...high school, drivers permits, a little more freedom.  She had quite a birthday week.

First, let me just say how amazing my parents are.  Before they left for their mission to Russia, they sent us an envelope filled with birthday cards (and money) for each one of us for the next year.  So, in order to include her Millar grandparents in her birthday, I just had to pull out the card addressed to Charlotte.  She was so thrilled.

They're amazing...I know!

Next up, on her actual birthday, her best pal Rachel and her little sister Jillian bombed her room with streamers and balloons.  Charlotte had gone to the mall with friends after school so it gave them a perfect opportunity to decorate. Kudos to Rachel...she had the idea and provided all the supplies, including a sweet note and a giant candy bar card.  What a great friend she is to Charlotte!

The girls were sworn to secrecy.

Charlotte was so thrilled to walk into her bedroom and see the decor.  Here she is with her candy bar card.  There is not a single candy bar left...she ate them (and shared them) all.

Later that evening the Farley's dropped off a bouquet of flowers for the birthday girl.  We have such tremendous friends.  The flowers are blooming on the kitchen table.

We waited until Monday to celebrate her birthday officially.  (With presents and cake)  We usually just do a family party for Family Home Evening on most of our kids' birthdays.  Nothing fancy.  Here is the Oswald cake that I made for her.  If you don't know, Oswald was the character that Walt Disney created before Mickey Mouse.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) he lost ownership of the character to MGM.  Devastated, he and his brother Roy sat down in a restaurant and on a napkin, drew a mouse that they originally named Mortimor.  That mouse, of course became Mickey.  We love Oswald because he symbolizes the great things that can come from disappointment and failure.  Oswald has made a comeback of late as Disney finally re-acquired ownership of the character.  He is a part of one of Charlotte's favorite video games, Epic Mickey.

Finally, she got some nice Disney themed gifts.  She is lately obsessed with anything Classic Mickey.  She got a jewelry box, a watch, some earrings and a new purse + wallet.  Her Aunt Charlotte made her a snazzy new bag and Grandma Walburger gave her the best present of all...money!  We are so in love with our fifteen year old!  Happy birthday Charlotte.

Here is week 39!