Valentine's Day

This year, the girls and I decided to do a repeat of our crayon heart valentines.  You can revisit this post to see how we put it all together.  It is pretty easy and something every member of family takes part in.  The girls really loved lining up the stools so that they could watch the crayons melt in the oven.  FYI. . . don't forget about them in the oven and leave them in, uh well 30 minutes give or take, while you disappear into the office with the doors closed.  When you walk out will you will find a house full of toxic (at least my headache thought they were) fumes.  You will then find you and your family leaving the house for a many hours while it airs out in 20 degree weather, windows standing open.

This year, Savannah wanted to design her own template.  I showed her what I had available, and while she used a very similar layout, she put her own spin on things.  It gave me a chance to let her learn a bit about Photoshop.

Adeline was pining for her white mailbox since before Christmas.  She remembered that it was full of chocolate and was brought out on Valentine's Day.  Finally the day had come.  Each girl had a party at school to kick off the festivities.  After school, Alex took Savannah to ballet and left me to set the mailboxes up while Lila slept upstairs.  She woke before Savannah was back and came downstairs with her nose almost touching the floor telling me, "I'm not looking mommy."  I find it strange that my girls don't want to spoil their surprises.  Don't most kids jump right in given the opportunity?

I laid a blanket over the table so that Lila could wander the house in an upright position.  Once everyone was back home and seated, I lifted the blanket and the girls dug into their mailboxes.  In addition to chocolate, Adeline was thrilled to find Whiff -the only four eyed Thomas train, Lila loved her ducks and Savannah went right into reading The Sandwich Swap - a must read for all first/second grade girls!

After a heart pancake dinner and too many pieces of candy, the girls gave me their gifts.  Lila can stop telling me that she has, "a surprise for you.  It is a stuffed animal surprise.  But it isn't a bear Mommy."  Thankfully, Alex took them to the Dollar Store so they could buy to their heart's content for their Mommy while not breaking the bank. 

Savannah had a little surprise up her sleeve.  When doesn't she?  She set up some valentines for me and Alex and added an original song and treat.  I thought she was pretty clever.  She found a heart candle holder and set a hand lens beside it.  We, of course, were supposed to look inside the empty candle holder and discover what was inside!  Yep, you can't see love but when it comes to Savannah, it is always in the mix and LOVE was the answer she was looking for.  She also added a cute little bucket filled with M&Ms.  She did it all on her own and, as usual, I am impressed.