Virginia Turned 4

Virginia's birthday plans were foiled again this year. Poor Gingie seems to always get the shaft. This year she wanted to camp for her birthday, but rain and flooding made camping impossible, so we canceled our trip. Grandpa and Gigi came to town despite the bad weather so that we could enjoy a family outing, but Ella came down with a fever and cough. Nonetheless, Virginia, Jude, Grandpa, Gigi, and I headed out to a muddy pumpkin patch, which doubles as farm that provides horse therapy for troubled youth. The place was a mess of puddles and dung, and rain began to fall before we even passed through the gate. But the pumpkin patch was our last option, and so we stayed.

It turns out that we had a really good time. Virginia loved leading the ponies and brushing their hair, and she seemed such a natural. She took wagon rides and got her face painted, and she didn't even have to share her Grandpa and Gigi with Ella.

When we returned home, Ella and Daniel had decorated the house with balloons and streamers, and they had covered the dining table with all of Gingie's gifts. We dried off, warmed up, and Ginge tore into her gifts.

And here is the beautiful cake that Gigi made for her littlest princess. Virginia was so proud.