Valentine's Day

February 1st I woke up to Eli having "decorated" the table, and set out our Valentine goblets.  He exclaimed "Happy Valentine's Day!" and asked where the treats were.  I informed him that Valentine's Day was not until the 14th, and drew a heart on that day in the calendar to help him remember.  

Eli had a school Valentine party to celebrate on the 10th.  I am Head Room Mom and in charge of organizing the parties and delegating assignments.  It was also the same day as my Young Women New Beginnings event later that evening (that I was in charge of).  To top it off, Clara had the flu (influenza, though I didn't realize at the time what was wrong), and was constantly crying and utterly miserable that week.

So the day of his party I dropped him off at school, went to the church to help set up/decorate, went back to the school to do the party, and then back to church that evening.  Thank heavens Clara managed okay that morning, but I had to leave her a screaming mess that night.  So sad.

Eli had a blast at his party!  Ate yummy treats (can't beat Capri Sun!), played a Valentine Ring Toss game, a Heart Gross Motor Game (they were to jump/dance around on some hearts with letters on them, and made a heart tissue paper craft.  (I was in charge of that craft and spent FOREVER cutting up tissue paper prior to the party.  :/   I also read the class a Valentine story before they headed home.  He was pretty darn excited about the bag he decorated that was stuffed FULL of all kinds of special Valentine cards and goodies.

Saturday the 13th David's parents came over later in the afternoon to babysit the kids while David and I went on a little date.  The grandparents took the kids on a date to Wendy's, and we ate at Ted's Montana Grill.  We also stopped for a little while at Goodwill and Barnes & Noble.  It was nice to have some quality one-on-one time together, especially since that's hard to come by with him working so much these days.  The kids always have such a great time with their grandparents, so it was definitely a win-win!

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday this year, I was able to make my traditional cream cheese cherry heart pastries.  Mmmhmm, so good!

We waited until after church to give the kids their goodie baskets.  Eli received new socks, stackable crayons, bubbles, mini highlighters, mini gel pens, glitter glue, a box of chocolates, and some candy hearts.

Clara also received chocolates, candy hearts, bubbles, glitter glue, a rubber ducky, and stickers.

I bought David and myself a box of chocolates as well.  We appreciate them a lot more than the kids do.

Clara was a big fan of the candy hearts!

David digging in

Another tradition is putting up hearts with messages of love.  I make some for David, some to Eli, some to Clara, and some to David from Eli and Clara.  I always have extras that David then writes to me.  :)  On the kitchen wall is where I put up mine and David's to each other--

I put up his from the kids on the kitchen cupboards.

I put up Clara's in the living room and Eli's in his bedroom (per his request).  The kids were beaming when I read their hearts to them.  A great way to show and feel our love for each other!

We all enjoyed our "more love" day.  :)