I always have such grand plans for fun holidays--and more often that not spend the day frustrated that I can't pull it off (serious time management issues--sometimes). So, I actually started thinking of some fun things and gathering ideas in January.
But, of course, the week of Valentines was CRAZY. We had several house showings and lots of appointments for the new house, stuff to get ready for the kids class parties, and Avery had an essay he needed to write for Middle School applications (this takes lots of parent time too!), a snow day (which is fun, but I don't get any Mom things done) and our first ridiculous offer on the house came in on Valentines day when I was headed to the school.
So, early that day I could tell I didn't have time--I revamped dinner and made a quick run to Walmart for some last minute decorations. I usually do homemade heart shaped pizzas, a yummy strawberry salad and homemade cherry coke. Not hard, but lots of last minute prep. So I changed to a chicken dish that just went in the oven, the same salad ( so good!) and Strawberry crush. I did get the little valentine's ready for everybody and set a fun table. We ended up having a fun together at school and a great night together--Reed was even in town!
Zoe loved the floating heart shaped candles! I wish I had taken a picture of her in her cute VAlentine outfit and hairbows--she was adorable
My sister did the kids names for these cute mailboxes--I put candy and pokemon cards inside--some of their favorites. Then Barnes & Noble gift cards from Mom and Dad. Zoe got Hannah Montana cards and a book I chose instead--Fancy Nancy, which I've been wanting to get her forever! Reed just got a couple of movies and some candy. Don't know why I didn't get his name for this mailbox and I really wish I would have bought one for me too--they turned out so cute and were from the Target dollar spot!
To top it off, Reed (with no spare time of his own) had a few fun little suprises for me. Chocolate and a card on my vanity when I went to get ready for the day and a gift card to Z for a massage! It was perfect! And although I loved Reed's valentine--this sweet valentine the kids made for us was the best. They did it after school--I'm sure while Reed and I were distracted the the offer, and made it from their own stash of candy from the school parties.
Translation: Dear Mom and Dad, Happy Valentines Day. You are my kissable sweethearts. I will always be a sucker of your kindness. Hope you have a almond joy day. Love, Avery, Easton, Collin & Zoe
I don't know how I ended up with no pictures of Avery or Collin--I'm sure their therapists will note this ommision later in life. And, I love my new camera, but I'm still figuring it out--esp. for indoor ordinary stuff you just want pictures of.
10 comments:
So cute! Love the mailboxes. I always love to do little special things. Good ideas. Jake thinks that Valentine's Day is a little lame, but he always appreciates it when I go to the effort to make it nice. I am a sucker for holidays. So cute of the kids to do that. You do those for them, it should tell you how much they appreciate you.
Sounds like you did a tremendous job of improvising!! I love the mailboxes. SO CUTE!
I love the Valentine from the boys. That really is so sweet and thoughtful. I think what I love about it the most, is that you can tell that they follow you and watch the way that you try so hard to make holidays so special. Think how grateful your daughters-in-law will be for such thoughtful young men.
The dinner looks amazing, the card from the kids is too darling and way to go Reed on the Z gift card.
Don't worry about missing pictures of Avery and Collin--you'll get more of them than the other kids at a different event. It seems to always work out over a years time.
cute post!!!
what a fun valentines day! I love how you decorated the table, never thought to get a black tablecloth, but with the red and white, it looks great! My friend got mailboxes last year and her kids loved it so much, they kept them throughout the year to give secret letters of love to each other throughout the year...you can make Reids yours and his. I love the card from your kids!
What sweet kids you have! I love your ideas, and may have to steal one or two for my family next year.
wow, that's you under a time constraint?! Impressive. I love when you post your decorations and traditions. I am stashing a few of them in my back pocket to copy. :)
Those mailboxes are adorable! My sister collects children's books and LOVES the Fancy Nancy ones! I am sure Zoe does too! Happy Valentines day!
everyhting looks so nice!! I always forget to tell you, but I got the idea to do a "family" valentines dinner from you a few years ago. we always used to try to go "out" before that and it was a mess. then you told me how you did yours and i thought that was the best idea... so thanks again for a great idea (but you always have lots of them...)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't always gets pictures of all the kids. I feel bad when I go to post and can't find any of Trey, Kaitlyn, etc. Heaven forbid someone thinks I love one more than the other. They'll be in therapy for sure! Just kidding.
I LOVE your strawberry salad. It's one of my favorites. I love every recipe of yours that I tried from the ward cookbook. I should thank you for having me do that years ago. I pull it out nearly everytime I cook!
I love how much effort you put into the meal, the table, the mailboxes, the gifts, all of it. What fun memories. And the cards were so cute. Kids are the best.
Impressive indeed!
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