a balloon half-full

As we left a recent birthday party, we were given some helium balloons. Today I decided the last balloon floating around the house could be the source of some amusement. So, I gathered the girls around, cut the end off the balloon, exhaled, inhaled, paused dramatically, then proceeded to sing, "Happy birthday to you/happy birthday to you/happy birthday, do I sound/like I'm in a cartoon?" I should have filmed their faces. 

Of course, they immediately wanted to do what I had done. It turns out, the exhaling and inhaling are difficult concepts. Both girls ended up breathing into the balloon instead of inhaling the helium, with predictable results. Ella did manage a cartoon voice, but it was of her own making. I thought she might be disappointed, so I started to explain that it just takes practice, but Ella interrupted me: "Did you hear my voice? I don't need the balloon! Wahoo!"