When February rolls around, we bust out the family "Jar of Love" and get busy spreading good cheer. Each day we pull a paper from the jar and focus on completing the kind deed.
Earlier this week, Jantzen made delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and the younger children took special Valentine's treats to their primary teachers.
It was Quinn's first official year preparing Valentine's for his preschool buddies. He was pretty excited about all of it and dutifully wrote his name on each card.
He does a nice job writing his name but when I saw this one and asked about it he replied,
"Oh Mom, that's just my cursive."
"Oh Mom, that's just my cursive."
Good to know.
A few days later he brought home his "loot bag", dumped it out on the kitchen counter and proceeded to eat every single piece of candy in one sitting. Next, he gathered up the paper Valentine's and asked me to throw them all in the garbage. Nothing sentimental about this stuff for Quinn.
When another mom called me to see about helping with a Valentine's treasure hunt/party for Elsie's class, I agreed since she already had it all planned out:). And did she ever have it planned out! It may be all down hill from here for Elsie because this lady went above and beyond...
Mrs. Gentile's first graders were given handmade Valentine place-mats with a special map on the back (along with a secret number and letter) which lead them around the school in search of various clues.
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| Elsie with map/place-mat in hand. |
In each room the children had to complete certain tasks. Here is Elsie popping her "Top Secret" balloon where she found the next clue rolled up inside the balloon.
Ultimately, the children arrived at this treasure box where each was given a "treat bag" - full of yummy treasures the mom helpers provided.
Passing out the Valentine's - always a highlight for elementary students!
Quinn and I headed down the hallway to check out the party in Anna's classroom and became the designated photographer for each of the students since I happened to have my camera handy.
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| Mrs. Garner & Anna |
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| Celebrating V-Day western style... |
Meanwhile, life at the middle school was also a happening place. I'm not sure what to think of the fact that a certain 11-year old boy received all kinds of sweet treats from girls - including a six-pack of "Crush" soda from one of his not-so-secret-admirers. When I asked him about it he non-chalantly replied, "Don't worry Mom. She'll move on to someone else by next year...".
After celebrating with cousin Greta for her 4th birthday (13th), Brinley got busy decorating our place late that evening. The kids were out of school on February14th so all the classroom celebrations were held on Thursday.
While Brinley was decorating and making computer-generated Valentine's for each member of the family complete with special quotes specific to each person, Tanner put his own money/creativity to use by making these Valentine's for his siblings.
Mini cereal boxes behind the "I Cereal-sly Love You!"
I almost laughed as the kids rushed down the stairs in great anticipation for our special Valentine's Day breakfast. You would have thought it was Christmas morning!
Donuts are pretty exciting...
And so are pink pancakes. We kept the eggs yellow and the orange juice orange.
Notice it isn't pitch black outside this year? Kind of nice letting the kids "sleep in" a bit longer on their day off from school.
Along with cards, Brinley gave this cute cupcake to Aaron and me.
The last of our "China" gifts were opened.
Wow-what a breakfast!
BTW, the candy bars were not for breakfast.
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| Breakfast of Champions - juice with spinach, kale, carrots, cucumbers, apples, beets, ginger, grapefruit |
Aaron arranged his schedule so he could join us for the later breakfast (it wasn't at 6:45am like usual) and put our awesome juicer to work. Yeah, those pink pancakes were colored by none other than beet juice. Good stuff!
After a full day of work, I met Aaron for our date night. We ate at
Gringo's (limited options in town) and watched a movie at the budget
theatre showing - "The Saratov Approach". Good old Corbin Allred did an
excellent job portraying one of the two missionaries that were
kidnapped in Russia back in 1998. The show (based on true story)
surpassed my expectations by a long way. Driving back home, Aaron and I
were trying to remember the last time we went to see a movie at a
theatre together. It's been a good five years!
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| Dear Mommy, I will love you always. You cook me dinner. You are nice. You get me ready for school. You are the best mom ever. From Elsie |
The best stuff of the day were the notes and hugs and kisses and help from this amazing family that I love! Thanks guys and Happy Valentine's Day!
2 comments:
Awesome Valentine's Day for your family. Everyone is so creative. Keep those notes to get you through the days when they are sure you are the meanest mother in the world. Cute kids.
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