Valentine's Day

For as long as I can remember I have always been a fan of valentine's day.  Maybe it was because my mom always treated us extra special that day including candle light dinners and heart shaped cakes, not to mention our treats and candy.  As I grew up I remember spreading the love to dorm roomates in college, fellow teachers that I taught with, now neighbors, friends and the teachers of my kids.  It is a great day to show the people that you care a little bit of extra love. 

If you don't agree you better stop reading now.  I don't want to hear anything about this being a made up holiday or a day for hallmark to cash in on.  Blah blah blah....And to that I say so what if it is...celebrate with the ones you love and tell them that you love them!!!

Throughout the month of February we started to prepare by making valentine's for our friends, family, teachers and Grandparents.  The couple of days leading up to valentine's day we made cookies, cakes and more cards for our neighbors.  We were busy but mostly because my children kept wanting to make more and give more.  Hmmmmm.....bad/stupid holiday I don't think so!  When the opportunity presents itself to my children to be giving, kind and loving towards others I run with it until there is nothing left to give.

This year Isaac made power ranger valentine cards with star wars suckers for his class and Addy gave her class care bear valentines.  I forgot to mention the week leading up to valentine's day I spent a lot of it on the phone researching why my school district does not celebrate holidays.  After being informed at ecfe class that there was to be no valentines day celebration I informed them on the spot that Addy would be bringing the valentines that she worked so hard to make for her friends and teachers.  she was not alone....four other families also brought cards and treats.  My reasearch has ended....it literally exhausted me to discuss this any further and ended by being told that I should run for school board.  Maybe in another life...

We had an awesome valentine's day although we were all coming down with colds, and worse so it started better than it ended.  Isaac was thrilled to make it to school this year for the party (last year he was sick and remembered that).  Yes, St Odilia's celebrates holidays, I knew there was a reason we picked this school. :)  We started out our morning with a heart hunt, left to us by cupid!  The kids had to search the house for hearts, use their paints to uncode the message.  Put the hearts in order and what was revealed was where their presents were hiding.  They LOVED this!  They had so much fun and it took be probably 15 min. total to prepare.  Writing on white paper with white crayon after painting it reveals the message.  Thanks Pinterest!!!

After that we ate our heart shaped pancakes and sausage, went to school, and then had a playdate!!  It was busy but fun, and my kids are still talking about it.  I am so happy that I can make these memories for them, like my mom did for us.

Enjoy the pictures now that you have made it through the book I just wrote.  I told you, I LOVE valentine's day!  Spread the love!!!

Making his valentine's for his teachers: They ended up being heart butterflies.  They LOVED them.

working on her valentines

Writing his name on his valentine's

putting them in the bag

valentine presents from Nana

soaring win pegusus

Addy's present

so exciting to celebrate with Nana

Making cupcakes

purple and red swirl cupcakes

working on their heart hunt message

all of the hearts in order

Isaac got a volcano

he was so excited!  My kids are still very very much into science

Addy got some new hair tools to play beauty shop better

making the volcano explode

Dad was her first customer

breakfast

They came home from school and were right back at it with the volcano!!