#tbt

Today's #tbt is throwing back to less than a week ago, when I spent my birthday at the most magical place on Earth. (Fun Fact: Disneyland (in California) is the happiest place on Earth; Disney World is the most magical. #disneynerd) It was kind of a big deal; while we've been to Disney around my birthday -- our anniversary is October 26th, so it's close enough -- I've never been in a park on my actual birthday. I highly recommend it.

Thursday, 11/09: We had dinner at the new Jungle Cruise themed restaurant -- the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen -- before we went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. If you're a fan of the Jungle Cruise and think it's pun-derful, then you probably won't be disappointed by the restaurant, as it's full of the same oh-so-punny jokes as the ride, just delivered in a little bit more upbeat manner. Also, the food's pretty good; the average Yelp rating is 4/5 stars. While some of the more recent reviews were pretty harsh -- they called the food bland -- ...idk, our meal was delightfully flavorful. Although the buttercream on that cupcake was like *all* butter.

Friday, 11/10: my actual birthday!  I had breakfast with Mickey Mouse--honestly, does it get more magical than that? NOPE.

Saturday, 11/11: We went to the Happily Ever After Dessert Party & Fireworks Viewing and the Cast Member made me a custom ice-cream-cookie-cupcake-sandwich: vanilla ice-cream between two chocolate-chip cookies + mini cupcakes as Minnie's "ears" + icing + sprinkles + a cherry on top. Chelsi might be my new favorite person ever.

I legitimately think everyone should spend their birthday at a Disney Park at least once in their life. Get you a Happy Birthday button and wear it around: every cast member will wish you a Happy Birthday -- and sometimes random strangers will too; it's a good way to meet Birthday Twins -- and sometimes, with a little bit of pixie dust, you'll get a birthday treat, like free hot cocoa, or a free Mickey Mouse ice cream bar. IT'S MAGICAL. 

[In hindsight, this must be fairly annoying for cast members...a lot of people wear these buttons, so I can imagine it might be quite tiresome to wish everyone a happy birthday or say Congratulations every day...]

Just remember to take your birthday button off before you board the plane home. Otherwise, a particularly cheerful flight attendant may notice it and announce over the loudspeaker that it's your birthday and everyone should wish the girl with the blonde hair and gray sweatshirt a happy birthday as she passes by, causing you no small amount of embarrassment.