One week later, and I’ve finally caught my breath long enough to post some birthday pictures!
First up was the official birthday party. Avery made the guest list, which included everyone on both sides of the family as well as friends who are just like family to us. Avery also chose the party theme: basketball. I swear that Chris didn’t have any influence on her! I showed her several cakes and party ideas, and she landed on this basketball cake. “That looks easy,” I thought.
Looks can be deceiving.
The basketball on the top didn’t turn out at all because I used too much batter, causing it to overflow and burn in the oven. And the Twizzlers I used to make the net didn’t look good at all.
I was just going to have a plain cake until I remembered that I still had these figurines from the groom’s cake at our wedding rehearsal dinner. Avery loved them! Chris added some lines, and my epic failure of a cake was saved.
When I was covering the cake and putting it away for the big party, Avery said, “Mommy, it’s so beautiful.” That’s all that mattered to me. And luckily the cake tasted good, but I never doubted that!
She blew out all three candles on her first attempt!
We didn’t have any activities planned for the party except food, presents and fellowship. So enjoy these highlights:
Whew! That was a lot of fun!
The biggest surprise gift was this Allis-Chalmers pedal tractor. Chris’ Grandpa Pevler gave him this tractor for his second Christmas. But more than 30 years later, the tractor had seen better days. We knew Chris’ parents were going to restore it for Avery, we just didn’t know when.
Chris was so pleased to see his little girl on one of his favorite childhood toys. I’d be surprised if he didn’t have tears in his eyes when he and Avery walked outside to see the tractor. He thinks it looks better now than it ever has.
Avery can just barely reach the pedals. By the time warmer weather arrives, she’ll be ready to ride this awesome tractor and even help Daddy with the yard work!
And what’s a birthday party without Daddy in a silly hat? Mommaw Clark gave Avery a fuzzy tiara and wand, thinking she’d wear it during the party and act like the princess we all know she is. Avery wasn’t too keen on them at first, so Daddy decided to wear the tiara.
But by the end of the party, Avery finally decided she wanted to look like a birthday princess.
what a great gift that tractor is!! LOVE it!