Valentine's Day

This year we actually celebrated Valentine's Day in Bakersfield.  We flew into CA late Saturday night and spent most of February 14th recovering from our long travel day with two kids.  However, prior to flying out West, I hosted a little Valentine's Day playdate for Ryan and Rory's best buddies.  It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to have the friends over and I'd be lying if I didn't admit I felt a tad over-extended trying to host a playdate, pack for California, and sew for my Etsy shop but it all got done.  My motto that week was EMBRACE THE CHAOS.  

I baked some ombre' heart sugar cookies and originally planned to let the kids decorate them.  But then I decided to draw the line on the chaos and I decided why on earth would I want to clean up frosting and sprinkles for the next 7 years so I decorated them all myself and just let the kids eat them.  I also stuffed some little goodie bags with a few cookies and the most adorable and delicious, festive pretzel chocolate bites.

We had such a good time and it was so adorable to watch the kids pass out Valentines treats to each other.  It was definitely worth the extra work during my week to see all of these adorable Littles in their Valentine's Day attire.  I hope everyone's Love Day was extra special.

Love is in the air.

I think by now it's become increasingly obvious that I'm obsessed with my kids.  And obsessed with taking pictures of my kids.  I'm sure I've lost some followers on Facebook and Instagram because people are genuinely sick of looking at pictures of the girls.  The thing is, part of it is that I really love taking photographs, even if they are just with my iPhone.  I love setting up the kids, trying to get the best light, editing them a bit, and cropping them to fit my need.  I am no photographer, but it's definitely one of my creative outlets, along with sewing, home decorating, and crafting in general.

Holidays just give me more of a reason to take some pictures and Valentine's Day is no exception.  I mean who doesn't love red and pink and hearts all over?  Especially when you have two girls.  V-Day is still a week away and I've already found a multitude of reasons to Valentine-inspired photos of Ryan and Rory.  Come on, I'm a stay-at-home Mom and somedays (most days) I get seriously bored just doing laundry, dishes, and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on repeat.  I realize it's pretty pathetic that taking photos of my kids helps "spice up my life," but bear with me.

I mean who doesn't love a good "lay the baby on a chalkboard" photo?

Or some matching sister heart pajama pictures? (Ryan insisted on wearing a hat.)

When in doubt, use a teether toy as a prop.

Fun tights and chambray...get's me every time.

And pale pink linen bonnets?  SWOON.

Please tell me I'm not the only one taking a ridiculous amount of pictures of my kids on a daily basis. And if I am the only one, well, #sorryimnotsorry.

Love Month

One of the many perks of having children is that it gives you even more of a reason to celebrate holidays.  Combine that with a love for dressing up my little girl in clothes, especially pink clothes, and you've got yourself a Valentine fashionista.   I definitely took advantage of the 2 weeks prior to February 14th and dressed up my real life doll in her Valentine's day best, practically every day.

If only I looked this good on a daily basis!

Josh is still in New York for a couple more weeks doing a pediatric rotation.  Ryan and I feel so sorry for him in the cold snow, working minimal hours each week, eating out at fun New Yorky restaurants, visiting the main NYC attractions, and visiting old friends from Grenada and England...yes we feel awful for him.  We have no idea how he's surviving.

Anyway, I lucked out that even though he was in New York, I still had the best Valentine a girl could ask for.  She could not get any cuter.

Kisses are free for Mommy though.

Baby firsts come and go so quickly.  First smile, first laugh, first roll, first foods, and now yet another first is in the books, first Valentine's Day.

A Little Valentine's Day Fun

Yesterday was our 6th Valentine's Day together. 

Our 2nd married Valentine's Day. 

And our 1st Valentine's Day on a tropical island.

To answer many people's questions, YES, they do celebrate Valentine's Day in Grenada.  But by celebrate, I mean that the kids know what it is, IGA has one end of an aisle dedicated to Valentine's Day treats, and I found a V-Day card at the stationary store with an envelope that had grease stains on it.  This. Is. Grenada.

But ya know what?  I kinda like it better that way. 

No deliveries of generic overpriced red roses at work, no over the top displays of candies and cupids, just a special day to celebrate my husband without all the hullabaloo. 

I spent the morning at our SO "Spread The Love" bakesale where we sold a wide array of beautifully baked treats to raise money for Dorothy Hopkins Home for the Disabled.  We made $1,700 EC at the bakesale and it was our most successful bakesale to date.

Josh was busy in labs all morning but found some time to sneak over and buy me a beautiful bouquet of Birds of Paradise.  I could get used to flowers like this, forget the roses any day.

Only $25.00 EC which is $10.00 US dollars people.

After classes, Josh came home to study and I went over to Limes to celebrate Valentine's Day with all the kids.  We made paper heart Valentine's and passed out special V-Day treats.  Some of the kids glued grass to their Valentine's Day cards, while others ate the glue.  Ya know, just a typical day at the Limes field!

Looks up to no good doesn't he? :)

Baby Deanna has been coming to Limes lately.

Loving the cupcakes Miss Julie made for them all.

After Limes, I finally got to spend a little time with my Valentine.  I gave him my very appropriate Valentine's Day card.

...but you're the only catch for me!

And then we went to the Beach House Restaurant for dinner.  We had never been before but had been told that the food was delicious and the restaurant stunning.  It didn't disappoint.  The Beach House is located right on the water on a private beach.  We arrived just as the sun was setting and enjoyed a great meal and a bottle of wine.  Even though Josh has his first set of 5th term tests coming up, we spent a carefree evening discussing everything non-school related.  It was perfect.

I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day and I definitely couldn't ask for a better Valentine.  I hope everyone enjoyed their day as much as we did!