Daddy's Birthday?

I put a question mark in the title because aren't adult birthdays really celebrated for the kids?  I mean usually we don't care much about the cake and ice cream, and the balloons and crepe paper, but the kids...they get SO excited...as if it was their birthday.  I try to include the girls in as much of the planning, decorating, baking, and gift giving as I can to give them an opportunity to think of someone else besides themselves and experience the joy of giving.  I often have to remind them that the day is not about them and what they want, but to think of the other person and what he/she would like.

The girls were thrilled when I told them we were getting Daddy an ice cream cake from Bruster's, our favorite ice cream spot.  Paul picked a chocolate oreo cake with chocolate cookie dough ice cream and carmel filling...and yes, it was just as delicious as it sounds!

Paul had to go out of town on a business trip on his actual birthday, so we gave him his cards and gift the night before, but we didn't end up having his birthday dinner until Friday.

One of Rose's birthday cards for Paul

The 31 year-old...he is so old ;)

We wanted to do something special for his birthday dinner, so we decided to make him a birthday banner.  Our store-bought birthday banner is quite girly and we thought he deserved a more masculine look on his special day, plus this was way more fun!   I wrote the letters, then the girls decorated each one....even Ella got in on the action.  It was so cute how they kept trying to hide it from him and say, "you can't look!" until everything was perfect!

We also got him a balloon bouquet...the girls picked out an Angry Birds balloon.  Quite fitting since that is only game he will ever sit down to play. 

The next day, he got to "use" his gift which was 18 holes of golf with two of his buddies.  And he played with his new set of golf clubs which he got with birthday money from his parents and mine!  

Paul is truly a gift.  He gives SO much of himself to our family.  He plans his days so he can be home with us as much as possible.  He is never too busy to read to the girls, lay with them at bedtime, take them on a bike ride, or watch a play that they made up for him.  Even after a long day at work, he will give me a night out instead of complaining that he needs a break.  I thank God every day for bringing us together and for such a selfless father for my children.  I don't know what we would do without him.