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.