Valentimes Day At Last!

The kids got really invested in Valentine's Day this year, putting in as much careful preparation for family gifts and cards as they do at Christmas.  (Probably because, between the snow and our month-long sicknesses, there is really NOTHING ELSE TO DO.)

Madeleine was a stress-case yesterday, fretting that we were never going to cross the finish line into Valentine's Day with everything accomplished.

MADELEINE: Mama?  How can we make this day really LONG?
ME: Why do you want to make the day really long?
MADELEINE: Because.  Mama.  We haven't even gotten READY for Valentime's Day!
ME: What's not ready?
MADELEINE: We haven't made enough PRESENTS yet!  And...Daddy has made NONE presents.

Uh-oh, Ethan, better get cracking on the home-made gifts.  The girls are holding you accountable here. 

Madeleine, Julia and I got some more Valentine preparations under our belts yesterday by baking and frosting heart cookies:

Furthermore, Madeleine's worries were allayed this morning when she discovered that we all - even Daddy! - had piles of Valentine's goodies to exchange with each other.  Julia had gone so far as to make brown paper bags full of treats for everyone in the house.  Inside each bag was a unique love note for that particular family member.

For Madeleine:

"Let me love you forever!"



For me:

"Let my love always be with you!"



For Ethan:

"Let my love get into your heart!"



Madeleine made a card for me that perfectly encapsulates her very distinctive artistic style:

Julia gave out store-bought cards, including this completely appropriate choice for a father from his daughter:

Oh, boy.


The remainder of our Valentine's Day will likely be spent preparing for the next incoming blizzard, so we may not get to do much more in the way of celebration, but I can guarantee that after this morning's Valentine exchange we will all spend the day full of love in our hearts!