Valentine's Day 2014

So I haven't had a chance yet to update on our Valentine's Day this year.  I don't keep much of a secret of the fact that I love Valentine's Day - candy?  Good.  Hearts?  Good.  Pink and red?  GOOOOD.

We made and decorated some delicious heart-shaped cookies the week before.

We stuffed goodie bags for Alli's class with 3D Ninja Turtle valentines, erasers, candy, and pens.  It wasn't Pinterest-mom worthy, but maybe it was a little above and beyond.  The, Thursday before Valentine's, Ryan surprised me with a new Calphalon sauce pot with a strainer lid.  With all of the baby food and home cooking we've been doing, it was a much-appreciated gesture.

In use making pears for Riley Roo

I got up on Friday morning and made pink heart shaped pancakes for Alli.  She still can't figure out how I got them to be pink.  Mom magic.

The girls each got candy and stuffed bears.  Riley got a Fisher Price doctors kit and Alli got a Rainbow Loom.  Ryan got new Razorback sweats and a running shirt.  And I got a dozen roses, gum and Reese's - lucky me!!

Plus Alli made me this super sweet ring on her Rainbow Loom.

Later that day, we had Alli's class Valentine's party.  We decorated cookies, played bingo, and the kids passed out Valentines.  Much lower key than the Minute to Win It Christmas party, but fun nonetheless.

That night, we had a romantic evening in a low-lit restaurant.  And by that I mean we went to Alli's dance in the cafeteria.  It was a wonderful day filled with pink and hearts and love shared with my favorite people.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I secretly like this Hallmark holiday!  Don't tell anyone, but there's something kind of nice about a day to tell people you care about them.  The romantic part of Valentine's Day has never really been a huge deal for me or my family, but the expression of love for those close to you definitely is.  Plus, my mom always had a little present for us at our breakfast spot at the kitchen table that morning.

Also, the colors of everything for Valentine's day are red and pink - two of my favorites!  Pair that with a party at school, and you've got yourself a Grade A holiday (take that, Easter).

A few weeks ago we were shopping in Target, and I spied the Valentines out.  Always one who likes to cross things off my list, I ushered Alli over to pick out her goodies for her class.  She chose Fun Dip - how awesome is that??  I don't know about you, but I loved me some Fun Dip when I was little.  So much to the dismay of every other mother in her class, I let her get them.

But Alli declared that just Fun Dip was not enough, so I went by Wal-Mart earlier this week to grab a few more fun things.  I snagged some Valentines pencils and some erasers that looked like candy hearts.  So Tuesday night we sat down and put together her Valentines bags for the class.  She announced that she would be writing everyone's names on their bags because she is really good at it.

I have to agree - she did an awesome job.  Below is her with the finished product.  Yay for Valentine's Day!!

And you know I had to let her have some of the leftover Fun Dip.  The other moms in her class are going to curse me.  I forgot what a mess that stuff was.

Happy Valentine's Day!!  XOXO