I *Heart You* Day...

Valentines!!  I have ALWAYS loved it.  As long as I can remember.  My daddy used to bring home my mom flowers and one of those big red heart boxes of chocolates and he would give me a small red heart box of chocolates.  My mom would make dinner and we would eat it with candles at the dining room table. (This was special since we never ate dinner at the dining room table, people!)  Carnations would be sent at school with little notes from who they were from...  Making the biggest and best valentines box each year and passing out the cards...  Oh, I just love it all!

I know it's hyped up and super commercialized (what isn't?)  But I still think it's great to take the day and focus on those people you love  - doing something special for them and making traditions and memories.  

I went all out last year and had a ton of fun doing it.  This year we were gone on a last minute trip for the 3 days leading up to Valentines, so I couldn't pull things together quite like I had envisioned and guess what?  Addison remembered every little thing about last year!!  He kept asking me, mommy are you going to do this?  are we going to do that?  I had to tell him that it's okay for things to be a little different each year...

So, this year the kids woke up to huge red and pink balloons in their rooms.  They LOVE balloons.  And these are big, fun ones!  While they watched some special cartoons and Justin slept in, I got out all the red and pink plates, napkins, straws (I was meant to be a preschool teacher!) and make chocolate (sugarfree) waffles with coconut milk whipped cream served with eggs, blackberries, strawberries cut into hearts and strawberry smoothies.  Yum!

Justin had made plans for us to go out to dinner but I usually cook a "fancy" family meal.  I knew Addison was expecting candlelight at the dining room table so while they were napping, I did it up, complete with streamers and more red and pink dinnerware with their gifts waiting for them at each plate. 

This year I made them wallets because they're starting to carry money around with them when we go out.  (Addison more than Eli)  I made these out of felt and included some goodies inside.

Eli's had 3 felt hair pins and a note from daddy asking her to go out on a date with him next week.

This was Addison's wallet. He LOVED it!  His included money and a note from me asking him to be my date next week.  Sam enjoyed dinner and will no doubt get something special next year...

For dinner they had mac n'cheese, carrot sticks and toast cut into heart shapes plus a valentine cookie for dessert from their awesome valentine package aunt kristen sent!  We lit candles and sat with them while they ate.  It was a blast and much more relaxed than a "real fancy dinner".  They were excited when friends came to watch them and Justin and I were excited to go out and eat better food alone :)

I really enjoy loving my family in this way; I love creating these memories for my kids and doing special things that really don't take so much work, but that they love so much!