More Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day was really quite lovely, but we had our doses of reality, too.

Decorating the boxes and putting together the Valentine cards was great fun – for all of us.  Once we put on Cars 2, Luke was finally distracted from getting into the paint.

Like last year, I used a printable, designed by Olliegraphic, for the kids’ valentines.  It’s great, because we can use it for more than one year and because I only print what we need which means no waste.  I found some clear sacks at Michael’s for $1.99 and then baked cookies instead of buying candy.  In my mind that seemed: 1) slightly more healthy? 2) way less expensive and 3) lots of fun.  Clare and Luke helped me bake the cookies on Monday morning and even taste tested a few.  No, not Luke, but at least he didn’t gag at the dough!

The boxes turned out great, as did the cards and the kids were very proud of them.  After a little back and forth, Will finally settled on a Skylanders box.  He and I were SO proud of that thing.  That is, until he got in the van after school and when asked how his box held up during the exchange, he busted out in tears saying, “Some people made fun of my box and my Valentines, Mom.”  Insert sinking heart HERE.  When we got home, Will and I had a heart-to-heart and we came away with that conversation knowing a few things:

1.  Sometimes people you like can be mean.

2.  Sometimes it hurts your feelings.

3.  When situations like that arise, you learn who your real friends are.

4.  We should learn to forgive, because people make mistakes.

5.  Tomorrow, they will forget about the means things they said.  But, you will remember the great memories you made with your mom forever.

We gave each other a big hug and then ate some chocolate.  Somehow, that made it all better.  For the record, I think his box was the bomb diggety.  One final programming note:  this was his last year to exchange valentines with his friends.  Next year, they’ll be all “I’m too cool for that stuff” as sixth graders so that made the tears especially bittersweet.  I’m just thankful we had such a good time making it.

John Paul’s box was a football field.  I scaled him back from wanting to put down real astroturf, flying footballs and stands full of people on it.  Hey, we only had a couple of hours.  Never fear, he loved it and has asked if he can keep it and use it every year until he’s in fifth grade.  I’d say that’s a winner.

After school, we headed over to the Sister’s house for a little Dominican love.  Talk about a room full of grace.  We love you sisters!  And, John Paul started begging to “go see Jesus” in the chapel before we even set foot in the door.

We ended the day with a fantastic dinner – lasagna, garlic bread, salad and apple pie.  Will learned how to set a formal place setting and the kids got to eat in the dining room on the fancy china.  I’ve decided we need to do that more often.  I surprised Scott with the fancy stuff and the kids all in red and he surprised me with some beautiful flowers.  What a great night!

Two last photos and then I’ll let you go for today.  On Sunday, we celebrated St. Valentine’s Day with my family.  My parents cooked a superb meal of tenderloin, potatoes, brussel sprouts and applie pie.  The girls and Luke decided we needed a little eating music.  Precious.