Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Daddy celebrated his 33rd birthday two weeks ago. It marks the kickoff of the Levine birthday season! (Adam in June, Avery in July, Grayson in August....and me in  December - what I wouldn't do to have a summer birthday!)

Mommy happened to be off that day and poor Daddy had to go to work. We started off our day by going strawberry picking, one of Mommy's most favorite summertime activities. Avery and Grayson were pretty terrified on the hayride as you can see they are gripping each other's hand for dear life.

I believe Avery picked a total of 4 berries and Grayson picked 1 berry (that actually made it into the basket). But somehow (thanks to Mommy!) we ended up with over 5 lbs. of delicious berries. Of course, they had to try them before we got in the car (and a few in the field too!) 

Note: that is not a berry on Avery's face. She sustained a small injury after falling off of a bouncy house at her friends birthday party the weekend prior!

 We had the rest of the day to prepare for Daddy's "surprise" birthday party. Here is Avery's drawing on the window with her "crystal window markers" that we only get out for special occasions such as this....

 I blew up balloons and Avery taped them all around the table. 

 She even made decorations that she hung randomly throughout the kitchen....

 if any of these decorations look familiar, it may be because I cut out pictures from any card that the kids get throughout the year and then recycle them into future craft projects such as this.

We listened closely for Daddy to pull in the driveway, hid in the dining room and yelled "SURPRISE" when he walked in the door!

 Mommy made a special birthday dinner for him and a homemade ice cream cake with his favorite ice cream flavors.  There was so much love and thought put into this day. I just don't get why he doesn't love to celebrate himself!

 We are so grateful to have the best Daddy and husband around! Even though he really hates birthdays (and especially hated how big I made that #33!) But he'll always be 6 months older than me and I love it!