Valentine Fun!

We tend to do a good bit for Valentine's around here. Maybe it's me with leftover ideas and craftiness from Christmas? I'm sure it's the fact that I've got a girly-girl that loves everything glitter, sparkles, stickers, hearts, pink, and purple! 

Addie Kate had to make her own box for her Valentine party. My mom had come up to help because Tommy was out of town and I came down with a second stomach virus. Thank you so much mom!  Thank goodness she was able to help! 

This was right up her alley!

This year, I have eight teachers to buy for between AK and Drew. I've had to be creative with their gifts this year, as I like to give them year round, and eight is a LOT to buy for. For Valentine's, we went and picked up heart doughnuts and brought them breakfast that morning. I let AK decorate the top of the doughnut box. I brought some stickers home from school and she used every. single. one. Ha!

 

Check out baby brother in the background.. He wasn't happy at ALL! Turns out he had a double ear infection. I picked him up from school on Tuesday (Valentine's Day), and he looked awful. I immediately called the doctor and they squeezed us in. Addie Kate had to miss gymnastics because there isn't any one up here that could take her. I hate that. It's so hard not having anyone around to help, especially with Tommy out of town so much. It's really hard when I think about how much money I waste every time she doesn't go. Plus, bless her, she loves it. I hate it when one child has to miss out on something because of the other and there's nothing I can do to change it. Pulls at my heartstrings to say the least. Moving on...

Baby boy even gave his little friends Valentines.

Addie Kate and I made Daddy's favorite cookie. We made them for Valentine's, had them waiting on Daddy when he got back in town, and took them with us to snack on during our trip to Disney.

Both of my children are so loved, and got little treats and cards in the mail. Andrea, David, and Aunt Ellen sent her something that was RIGHT up her alley - pink chocolate chip pancake mix, and a little heart notepad. AK immediately wanted to right a thank you note - my heart just filled with pride when she told me that! She was asking me how to spell certain words, then she asked how to spell David. Yep, that's who she thought she needed to thank. I guess we all know our ranks now.

She did later, on her own, ask how to spell Aunt Ellen and Andrea too. And she told me to wait as I was spelling their names, because she wanted to put dots on the letters. Ha! That's my girl. She'll do so well in a sorority!

On Valentine's night, after dinner at Chick Fil A, and after we got home from being at the doctor until 7:30, with a very crabby baby boy, then CVS (who didn't have Drew's prescriptions ready), then Target (to kill time waiting on the prescriptions- biggest mistake ever not getting them filled there, where we always have prescriptions filled), then back to CVS to finally pick up the prescriptions, and to get gas.... Addie Kate finally was able to open her Valentines from mommy and daddy. Precious girl. She truly is such a good girl, and so sweet.

A pink princess kitty card (yuck. but I knew she'd like it).

Some Tinkerbell socks and a Rapunzel book and watercolors. Perfect. (And I'm so proud of myself for not going overboard!)

She was also super excited to get to open Drew's for him. He got a 1st Valentine's Day card, a precious little book, and Dumbo, the movie.

We missed Daddy (but snuck some Valentines in his luggage for him, and he remembered his number one Valentine with flowers at work, too!), and it was very hard with him not being home. And we hated to spend Valentine's evening in the doctor's office, but you know what? When you have as much love as this family has, there's nothing that a phone call, hugs, and kisses can't fix.

Strawberry Milk...a no.

Mom and I were in Target and saw those little straws that make your milk change flavor. AK was all excited to try it, then didn't like it at all! Ha! She's never been a fan of chocolate milk or anything, so I can't say I'm completely surprised. I guess I'm happy about that. We take pictures of such random things as parents!

The Circus Came to Town!

Addie Kate loves the circus. It was no different this year, except that we ended up with excellent seats. Like, so good, they made me nervous being so close! I mean, what if one of those horses or tigers or something went nuts and jumped into the crowd? 

We had on a big lens, and didn't need it, especially to get these pictures of baby boy jumping up and down on my lap like a wild man, when the show first started. It was adorable!

We had a great time, and really enjoyed going with friends this year, and having baby boy along! (And not following it the next day with two days in the hospital for Tommy!)

Valentines!

Addie Kate always does such a good job with gifts for her friends. Valentines were no different. I knew she'd want something princess-y, and I just could not do the store-bought, Disney princess, things this year. I know my time will come with those, but for now, I was able to pick them out and she loved them! 

They just weren't good enough for me, so I added a little glitter glue to the crowns and stars. Then I hated myself 17 valentines later.

Found some frog prince/princess candy to go along with the theme, add a little bow, and we were done! I was scared to do any of the cute ones I'd found on pinterest, because I knew everyone and their brother would be doing them too! Hopefully in a few years, when it dies down and other cuteness comes along, I can pull out some of my "old" ones to use then!

Baby brother entertained himself with trying out different passies. Seriously. He'd put one in his mouth, get a few "sucks," then put another in. This would keep him happy for a while!

Cute little booger.

Randoms from February

Just a few random pictures from the first part of February: 

Addie Kate and Drew having some kind of conversation over lunch at my moms.

My precious boy.

Playing in my dad's man cave - renamed the playroom when my kids are in town.

Cuddling with Mommy.

And playing with Daddy.

Baby girl getting her run on. I cannot WAIT until we have a nice, big yard for my kids to run and play in at their leisure! AK adores being outside, and I'm sure baby boy will too. I'd love to never live in a neighborhood again, where they can come and go as they please, when they please, just as I did as a child. We'll see!

Park Playtime and Drew's First Park Swing (by himself!)

Both mine and Heather's families were finally well enough for us to get together and celebrate birthdays from October, December, and January, as well as Christmas! We met at the park, had a little picnic lunch, and let the kids play. 

Tommy was not pleased with Steven, who was working, while Tommy was at the park with two "gabby" girls and five kids! Bless him, he's such a good husband and daddy! Granted, had he known ahead of time, he probably would have tried to back out!

It was Drew's first time in a park swing! He liked sitting there but did NOT like swinging! He was too little this summer and fall for a park swing, so here he is at nine months for the first time!

He's holding on to part of the toy that Heather gave him, which is a hit!

Heather and AK number two! My AK is excited to have another girl in the bunch, especially since it looks like we'll be moving closer and hopefully spending a lot more time together!