A Wizardly Birthday

Aubrie read all seven Harry Potter books last year, and has been completely enthralled with all things Harry Potter. So, when it worked out we would have an extra day in Orlando, and that day also happened to be her 9th birthday, we decided to splurge and have me take her to Universal Studios Orlando to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. What a fun day for both of us!

Aubrie LOVES her birthday parties, so it was a little difficult for her to give up the idea of having an actual party, but because we just moved and raced to unpack and repack for this vacation, it was a welcome break for hosting a celebration.

My favorite part of the day was sharing a "Butterbeer" in "Three Broomsticks." The Butterbeer was so sweet and delicious! We loved it! Parts of HP world were so realistic, I totally felt like I had jumped inside the book. Three Broomsticks was impressive. Unfortunately, I didn't take too many pics of it.

The Hogwarts Castle is definitely impressive inside and out. Aubrie actually was a little scared of the ride inside of it though. Not because of the motion, but because of the creepy things right in your face. She's never been a big fan of anything of that sort -- did I ever tell you of her first trip to Disneyland at age 2, first ride, Snow White's Scary Ride? The rest of the day was shot after the witch jumped right in her face around the first corner of her first ride ever. #worstparentsever. Anyhoo, we have only let Aubrie watch the first HP movie, so nearly all the images of the stories have only been created by her reading and not put there by the movies. I think that's the biggest reason why the castle was unsettling to her.

Aubrie's favorite part of the day was choosing a wand and other HP paraphanelia with her birthday money from Grandma. We spent a LOT of time in those gift shops! I don't know where she gets her shopping genes from...

Who's wand should I choose... Ginny Weasley or Hermione Granger?

I like the color of this one, but the feel of this one...

And the winner is? Ginny Weasley!

The shops were just so fun. I can't even recall the name of this one, but Aubrie could tell you every detail of those books!

This train conductor stood at the Hogwart's Express. 

Even though I was actually pretty underwhelmed by Harry Potter World, Aubrie and I have always loved to have Mommy/daughter time, so this was extra special for both of us. After the craziness of the past weeks, it was nice to be together and share these memories and celebrate my growing girl!

Nine things about Aubrie at age 9:

1. Loves to read. She takes books to the next level. Her inferencing of characters is amazing. She ponders and makes connections that are so deep and thought provoking.

2. Loves to write. I'm a terrible mom at suppressing her skills because she wants to write all the time; but, she spells better than most adults, and her writing is so beautiful that I feel like she doesn't need to practice it all day long (like she wants) but should be practicing math, piano, etc. So ironic that I do this to her since my passion is writing too.

3. Is empathetic. Aubrie has amazing friend-shipping and problem-solving skills. She feels her piano music deeper. I imagine there aren't a lot of kids her age that genuinely want to know the ups and downs of her mother's day. What a sweetie.

4. Aubrie's hair is long. Her super thick hair is growing and growing in hopes of cutting and donating it (soon, hopefully).

5. She LOVES to dance. She has always loved all her extra-curricular activities, but this year she's coming to realize that dance might be her favorite activity. She's a beautiful and hard working ballerina.

6. Aubrie's piano work ethic is paying off. The music she is playing is beautiful throughout our home.

7. She loves to do plays with her friends, play Legos, American Girl Dolls, play Harry Potter, ride bikes, explore the 'forest' in the backyard, and play games.

8. Aubrie is a great helper. She has really grown up in the past year and has become a huge help to me around the house and with her siblings.

9. She is a saver. She has well over a $100 to her name from saving nearly all the money she has ever received. Nothing wrong with wanting to save rather than spend.