Feb 14, 2013

Valentine's Day.
Some how Valentine's Day has crossed over officially.  From a day of romantic love to a holiday with our kids.  Considering it is difficult for me to get off the couch I am feeling so pregnant, I put a lot of effort into making the day fun for everyone.    I decorated the house with balloons and streamers and cut out hearts the night before. Jake rounded up pink sprinkle doughnuts and a treat bag for each kid the night before.  In the morning we exchanged gifts and we let the kids go at the goodies all morning.  It meant a serious sugar crash before 10 am which was not the best.  But we got a great photo of everyone smiling at the fire place just before Kate headed to school.  Then Sam and I headed out to deliver some Valentine's he had made.  He was feeling left out when Kate was making her school Valentine's so he used some of her left overs to make a few for friends.  The kids had been looking forward to Valentine's Day so much.  I told Jake "I feel like they think every holiday is such a big deal, they talk about it for weeks, and make plans"  He tells me "well that is because you always deliver"  Have I spun myself into a lifetime of high expectations for each holiday... it looks like it.  At least I enjoy it normally.

 Each child received and invitation to a Ball to  be held in our living room that evening.  Both Kate and Sam seemed pleased.

When Kate arrived home from school, we got ready.  They picked out perfect outfits I thought.  Then we had a fancy dinner.  Home made heart shape chicken roll pies.  Red Jello.  Asparagus and sparkling cider.  Then after the dance begun.  I had spent the afternoon hanging up the only christmas lights I could find- which happened to be multi colored and red streamers.  I announced each child into the room with a trumpet sound.  They didn't really get that part.

 I started to dance with sam, and Jake with Kate.  But soon after Kate insisted Sam was more her size. It worked out great.  The two of them danced together- which meant I only had to share Jake with M once in a while.... who wanted to dance with books in her hand, and then not dance at all just read books on the couch, but got it together for some serious moved towards the end to our delight.

 We finished the evening with individual strawberry shortcake parfaits that were beautiful if I don't say so myself.  And watching Beauty and the Beast all cuddled up in my electric blanket.  When Jake went to the store for kid Valentine's he almost came home with their own electric blankets, it may have been wise since they are obsessed with mine.