Leap Year baby Neve gets special birthday celebration from Denmark family the Summerfields

For one Great Southern family, February 29 will always hold a special place in their hearts.

Neve Summerfield will celebrate her birthday this week, as Thursday around the world is recognised as a leap day.

Every four years, the calendar year has an extra day on February 29, instead of the normal 28-day month.

The Summerfields live in Denmark where they are gearing up to mark the big occasion for their much-loved Neve.

Neve was born naturally on February 29, 2020, and is itching to celebrate in style as she prepares to enter the fifth year of her life.

Mum Jas Summerfield said her daughter already knew the significance of being born on a leap year.

“We are really looking forward to Thursday to celebrate Neve’s birthday,” she said.

“She is three at the moment and whenever people ask, she says she is going to turn one and four at the same time.

“So it is quite special for us as a family.

“Obviously for weddings and special occasions you can actively seek (February 29) out and babies (are) born on that day by choice, but it was chosen by her and uniquely by her which we love.”

Neve is the second youngest of Jas and husband Simon’s five children.

Ms Summerfield said leading up to the birth of Neve they had a feeling she might arrive on February 29.

“She wasn’t due on February 29 but I had the labour naturally that day,” she said.

“Neve was born after dinner, at home with the whole family there and her big sister caught her which was really special.

“We knew it was coming up and had a funny feeling that was when she would come into the world, but it’s a really special birthday to have.”

The Summerfields have found a way to ensure Neve doesn’t go without a birthday celebration but said 2024 would be extra special.

“In the odd years it does feel a little strange,” Ms Summerfield said.

“We decided to celebrate her birthday on March 1 and sneak into her bedroom as the clock ticks over at midnight … it’s a fleeting moment between dates that we can have with her.

“We will attend playgroup on Thursday which is her favourite day of the week because we make bread.

“We will make a special cake and drive to my grandmother’s place to celebrate with the family and we also have a pony ride with a friend organised.”