Valentine's Day Fun

I used to HATE Valentine's Day.....I mean HATE it!!  Now that I have two Valentines of my own, I really enjoy going overboard (in simple ways) to make the day fun for everyone.  As Kyndall gets older, little holidays like this become more and more fun because I love seeing the excitement through her eyes.  

Yes, I'm THAT Mom who cut my kid's sandwich into the shape of a heart............

........And put her food into Valentine-themed ziplocks.......

I had good intentions of getting really creative with her classmates' Valentine cards but time got away from me and I resolved that Minnie Mouse would do just fine

Teachers' gifts---I've always wanted to do this and now I can!  =)

I'm also THAT Mom who made heart shaped Eggos for breakfast.........

My little Valentine, still sleepy but excited for a fun day at school

 

Blowing kisses........

I dropped Kyndall off at school and ran a few errands before meeting Matthew for a quick lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Nothing fancy, but it was nice getting to see him during the day.  

One of the things I love most about the holidays (even the small ones) is decorating my house.  I figured since the only people who will actually see fruits of my labor are Matthew's parents, I'll go ahead and share them with you as well. 

This is probably my favorite of all my V-Day decorations, simply because I'm such a sentimental person.........

2007 was our very first Valentine's Day together---We had been dating about two months  =)

I made this wreath a few weeks ago for a grand total of $6

More of my favorite sentimental decor..........

I picked Kyndall up at school and as expected, she was on a total sugar high and in rare form!  I had to chuckle when I looked at her report card for the day which indicated that she ate "poorly" at lunch and didn't sleep at all.  Isn't that what happens when you eat candy and cupcakes all morning long?  When we got home I sorted through her candy to see (if there was anything I wanted) what she received.  Clearly, I do NOT win the award for the most creative Mom in the class!  These Pinteresty Mamas made my store bought Minnie Mouse cards look pretty lame.

"I mustache you to be my Valentine"

 

I had to include this one because as I've been told on more than one occasion by the teachers, Cruz is Kyndall's BOYFRIEND!  In fact, I even got a call from Cruz's Mama today!  Oh boy!  More on that in a later post........

Kyndall's goodie bag that she decorated herself

It was a gorgeous day, so Kyndall and I spent some time in the backyard after she got home from school.  It was so nice to finally have some "warmer" weather!  This Florida girl is still not used to the cold!

Maybe it was the sugar in her blood or the love in the air, but for whatever reason Miss Priss was in an unusually cooperative mood so I took full advantage and snapped away.  I couldn't pick a favorite from this series, so I'm including all of them.  (By the way, that white chalky stuff on her face is the remains of a pretty little heart that adorned her cheek earlier in the afternoon.  Guess her little fingers just couldn't resist!)

As the sugar high continued, I somehow managed to wrangle her into the bathtub and eventually in to her PJs...........

New jams from Nonie and Poppie

Literally, bouncing off the walls!!!!

Who IS this child???

"Stop Mom!  No more pictures!  I'm trying to come down from my sugar high."

Matthew and I agreed that we did NOT want to fight the crowds for dinner, but I also made it pretty clear that I really didn't want to spend my evening in the kitchen.  (Cooking is not my favorite thing to do.  Neither is doing dishes.)  We agreed to get take-out and I requested something simple.  I'm a low-maintenance, budget-conscious kind of girl!  =)  He chose Red Robin, which made me a happy camper.  We enjoyed our dinner in the peacefulness of our own home while Kyndall ran laps around the living room.  Seriously.

Next, it was time for gifts.  My sweet friend Jenny W. and her daughter Ali from back in Tallahassee are always so thoughtful around the holidays and almost ALWAYS send something for Kyndall to open.  Jenny is by far one of the most thoughtful, creative people I know and I could definitely take a lesson or two from her on thinking of others!  This package arrived yesterday and I let Kyndall tear into it tonight..........

Ali made the sweetest card for Kyndall!

Jenny definitely has a gift for details.  She remembered from a previous blog post that briefly I mentioned how much I love the "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie" series of books.  Much to my surprise, she gave us a Christmas version back in December and now she's gone and found one for Valentine's Day as well!  I LOVE thoughtful gifts like this!

Stickers are ALWAYS a hit around here!!!

Next, it was time to open her gift from Daddy.............

My parents sent Kyndall a package last week and I've been holding onto it until tonight.  Mom asked if we could Skype while she opened it so they could see her reaction to their goodies.  I love technology!

Look at her expression in this picture----Can you tell she's starting to crash???

Matthew and I got gifts from my parents as well.  Totally not necessary but very much appreciated!  Mine will likely be going straight into the hands of a Hobby Lobby cashier!  =)

Finally, Kyndall opened her gifts from me...........

Love hearing her sweet little voice say "tank ew", without even being prompted!  So thankful for an appreciative child.

Check out that loot!  I'd say Kyndall is a loved little girl for sure!

We put Kyndall to bed earlier than normal (she was crashing and burning FAST!) and finally, Matthew and I exchanged our cards and gifts

We made a deal not to spend a bunch of money on flowers and balloons and teddy bears and all that unnecessary stuff.  Instead, we did cards and our favorite candy. (Though, to be honest we really don't need that either!)

I helped Kyndall make this card for her Daddy

One of the MANY types of candy I gave Matthew

As always, it was a great day filled with simple but FUN things that we all love.  I'm a firm believer that it shouldn't take a cheezy holiday for us to do sweet things for those we care about.  The things that really matter should be demonstrated on a daily basis and not simply because a calendar says we should do so.  Tell people that you love them, treat your children to their favorite things, go out of your way to ease a burden of your spouse. I'm going to take my own advice and do these things more often in my own life.

This song by Martina McBride has always been one of my favorites.  It used to remind me of Matthew, but now when I hear it I also think of my precious daughter.  Together, the two of them truly are my heart and I am so thankful that God chose ME to be his wife and her mother.

Happy Valentine's Day!