Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday was happy Valentine's Day. That's exactly how Charlie referred to it all day. "Today is happy valentine's day." I rather liked that and just may start using his terminology. Anyway, I was determined to lift this holiday from it's relegated place of boring holidays without much flare, and turn it into something special. I've been attempting to reframe the mundane and create a little magic for my kids, and this was the perfect opportunity.

We actually began weeks ago with our Valentines. As anyone with small children know, you can't expect a four year old to sit down and write his name 12 times in a row. No, I spaced that out over a week and a half! My sister gave me this idea for an adorable valentine and I was really happy with them when they were finished. What's more, so were the kids!

Of course Taylor couldn't wait to get started on hers. Give her a project and she's a happy soul.

Right after snapping this photo, Taylor asked if we could listen to some "Valentine-ish music" (more terminology I'm stealing). Lucky for her, her mom's a music therapist. I've got playlist dedicated to every theme and holiday. So within minutes we were listening to Mark French's I Made A Valentine, and my sweet girl was dancing her heart out.

The real fun began on happy Valentine's Day morning. I started by decorating the kitchen with some balloons and streamers and then set out to create a happy Valentine Day breakfast. This is what I came up with.

I knew I was on the right track when Taylor declared "This is such an exciting day!" I even indulged her in painting her nails before heading to the school bus.

Today was an out-of-uniform day so she decided on this ensemble.

(The rolled pants were her idea. She wanted people to see her knee highs.)

Next, it was time for round two of breakfast with Charlie and Morgan. Raise your hand if you like Valentine's day!

Then more Valentine outfits.

Finally, we were off. I took Charlie to preschool and then Morgan and I made a quick stop at target before heading back to his school for the Happy Valentine's Day Party. I was in charge of games and brought heart bingo.

Charlie gave me this gift at the party. He was so proud.

Morgan loves going to school. Whether it's preschool or kindergarten, she loves to be set loose to explore in the classroom, and is never quite ready to leave. Your day is coming, baby girl.

Next, we came home, checked out Charlie's loot, and ate a heart-themed lunch.

I didn't make a heart sandwich for Taylor, but I still spruced up her lunch with some stickers and a note from mom.

Grandpa came over to stay with the little ones so I could go to Taylor's party next. I am the 'party mom' for Taylor's class (a title that cracks me up). Basically, I just help coordinate volunteers to bring games, crafts and snacks for the party. It's a pretty simple job, but Taylor has stated on more than one occasion that she's glad I'm the party mom. I remember how excited I'd get when my mom would come to school for an event. I'm so glad I get to do it with my kids now.

Taylor's starting to find her niche. I still remember how I worried about her making friends. I remember actually feeling butterflies in my stomach during the first day of school when I realized that it was recess time and pictured her out on the playground- on her own.

What was I worried about again?

After school, Taylor went through her loot while I enforced a 20 minute quiet time. I just needed to recoup for the rest of the days festivities. After exactly 20 minutes, I found myself back on my feet as I prepared for our baking project - Happy Valentine's Day cookies.

Taylor convinced me to let them open up their valentine gifts from Grandma while the cookies baked and cooled.

(Taylor's getting a little too comfortable sitting on the table.)

Next it was decorating time!

Then I set out for my third valentine meal. It's amazing how many things you can shape into a heart.

When Taylor asked what we were having, I gave her the clue that Daddy wasn't going to be eating dinner with us. "Breakfast dinner!" she answered. Mark is not a fan of this so we indulge ourselves when he's not home.

One of Taylor's trademark performances followed dinner.

This one was Valentine themed. She encouraged audience participation. She told me to do a cheer, but it had to be "love-ish". "You know, like peace-sign, star, that makes a heart!" I can't make this stuff up.

After the show we played the new game that Grandma gave us for Valentine's Day. It is based off of Eric Carle's The Grouchy Lady Bug.

It was a Valentine's Day miracle, because Taylor and Charlie actually tied. Thus the joy continued.

Finally, we wound down with half a Valentine's show and a book read by yours truly.

Mark came home from his trip just in time to snap this picture and kiss all of the kids goodnight. Again, I received confirmation that I had done something right when Charlie prayed "Thank you for this wonderful day."

So just like that, a new holiday is born. We've transformed the boring Valentine's Day into the new and improved Happy Valentine's Day. It's amazing how easy it is to add a little sparkle. It really doesn't take much to make kid's happy. It's like I always say. Throw in some balloons, and it's a party.

TGIF (and S and S)

Another weekend has come and gone in the Williams household. I love the weekends. For a long time, my weekends did not feel much different than my weeks. Before the kids were in school there was very little to differentiate Saturday from any other day. Our schedules were wildly open every day, and although Mark was home more on the weekends, it wasn't enough to make them feel any different. Well, that has all changed. Now that Taylor is in kindergarten, and I am working a bit more throughout the week, Friday afternoons are greeted with much joy. And don't get me started on Saturday mornings! For one thing, I don't have to rise before the sun in order to feed, clothe and transport a little one to the bus stop. No, instead, I linger in bed while the kids watch a cartoon and stroll to the kitchen with chocolate chip waffles and smoothies on my mind.

This weekend did bring snow.

I have honestly been waiting for it, ready for it, determined to make some winter memories outdoors with the kids. But the thermometer did not want to rise above 19 degrees, and I just couldn't do it. Thankfully, no one asked me to. Next time, we'll do it. But for this weekend, we were content inside our cozy home, sheltered from the elements.

Another joy I've been relishing during the weekends is not just the increased family time but the enhancement of the quality of our time together. Mark and I cut the cord, so to speak, with our cable company last May, and it's been the best thing that we've done for this family. That, coupled with the children's emerging maturity, has opened up so many more activities to fill a weekend.

Like family games where nobody cries,

The introduction of new skills met with enthusiasm,

Evenings reading with Grandpa.

And even a game of catch thrown in there. (Pun intended.)

Of course, not all our children are old enough for these diversions, but lucky for us, Morgan is our most even-tempered child yet. Give her a pencil and some paper and she's one happy toddler. In fact, give her anything to carry, hold, hide, or explore and she's content.

I'm told such is often the case with the third child. With so much activity happening around them, they are never bored. And yet, they must also learn to be patient and self-soothe because after all, mommy's only got two hands. Lucky for her, Daddy's also got two hands.

And so does "Uncle Scott".

We finished our weekend with a visit from some good friends. It had been way too long since we've seen them.

I wasn't planning on writing much tonight. I just wanted to upload the weekend pictures so I'd be free to devote tomorrow's post solely to Valentine's day, but this blog has become so much more to me than a place to unload photos. It's given me the avenue to reflect on them, and with each passing post, my gratitude for all the blessings in my life intensifies. Thanks for reading. Come back tomorrow, because tomorrow's Valentine's post is going to be a doozy. At least I hope so. I'm going to do my best to transform a somewhat boring holiday (comparatively speaking) into something special. See you tomorrow!