I Heart Valentine's Day!

I really LOVE Valentine's Day...it might be my second favorite holiday with kids! This year I was pinspired to have a countdown to Valentine's Day. 

source: The House of Smiths

The kids LOVED opening their little treats daily. We chose to count 1 to 14 but you could count back, too. I just used dollar items or small snacks/treats for something LOVELY. I can reuse the bags for next year, too! We ended up moving them to the little kitchen area after the bottom row of bags kept falling. I think there were some heavy bags or the cat was playing with them? Plus, it wasn't very safe to light a fire. 

Hugs are always nice! See the bags on their kitchen?

We LOVE decorating around the house, too. As soon as the Christmas ornaments are packed up, I get excited about the pink, red, and white that we will use. I must really LOVE the word "LOVE" because I have a lot of LOVE signs.

The kids and I crafted recycled heart crayons for Jackson's Pre-K valentines. They were a lot of fun to make and kept my little helpers busy while I prepped dinner one evening. Riley was especially great at carefully removing the paper off the used and broken crayons. Jackson enjoyed breaking them into small bits and arranging them into pretty colors in the heart molds--purchased at Target last year in the $1 bin. I knew those would come in handy! I think they are maybe jello or ice trays? They worked perfectly!

 Rubber cement worked the best at holding the hearts in place!

On Valentine's Day morning the kids found some special gifts and so did I! I was surprised that my favorite valentine remembered me! And shocked he went to the mall and into Victoria Secret's all by himself! My gift is the gift that keeps on giving. Wink! Wink!

I made the kids a special heart themed breakfast and then we went to my workout class with some pretty healthy cupcakes for the trainers (if you didn't eat the frosting). We also sent some to work with Daddy. They are really good if you like banana and the kids had fun mashing bananas as part of the recipe process.

Riley is an expert mixer now!

Source: Lil' Luna

Riley with her choice of  Pre-K valentines.

On V Day evening, we opted for a family date night at the Brigantine. We sat in the family friendly bar at 5:30 p.m. and were finished by 6:30 p.m. Fancy, I know! 

I think something else I LOVE about V Day are the cheesy sayings to match the valentines. My favorite idea came from Mommy Prep School. Virginia is so crafty!

I also really enjoyed these from Plucky Momo! It's where I saw the cute crayon idea, too. 

Hope you all had lots of hugs and kisses spread out as you counted down to Valentine's Day! 

xoxo

My Sweet Valentines!

We had so much fun at a mini photo shoot with Gabriela, of Photography by Gabriela a few weekends ago. We went to our favorite local boutique, Mini and Me, for a quick session after the last day of soccer class/leagues. The last time we took photos with Gabriela, Riley was almost seven months old and Jackson was three and a half! And now here they are at 2 and 5 years old, respectively. 

The kids were super excited about their soccer medals and upcoming birthdays, and Gabriela was so sweet with them that we actually had a really fun and stress free session! I think the kids are comfortable with the shop, too, so that helped.  I mean...maybe they have shopped there before, once or twice? ;) 

Hope you all had a sweet V day! xoxo

Happy #2 to You, Riley Grace!

Photo credit: Photography by Gabriela

Dear Riley Grace,

Two years ago today, at 4:49 p.m., you arrived and Daddy announced, "a girl! a girl!" We were thrilled to welcome you into our family and you amaze us each day with your kindness, patience, and intelligence. 

You have learned so much over the last year; you run so fast, started playing soccer, increased your vocabulary to over 50 words...I don't really count...you have had four haircuts, know all of your colors (your favorites being pink and purple), can count to 10, try to sing your ABC's, know most basic shapes, use short sentences, really enjoy coloring and "reading" books, give the BEST hugs and kisses, love all of your dolls and animals, and still say Bubba is your favorite. He always has been and I hope, always will be. 

We LOVE you, sweet girl! Happy two to you! 

Love, 
Mama

P.S. Last week in Jackson's class a little boy told Jackson you were "so cute." That won't be the last time Big Brother hears that from a buddy! xoxo

One day old!

One year old!

"I'm TWO!!!"

Minutes old to two years old...how is it possible to love her SO much?

Happy 5th, Jackson!

"I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." --Robert Munsch

Dear Jackson,

5 years ago this morning, you came into the world yelling...and you haven't stopped. Ha! You wouldn't sleep that morning because you were eager to meet everyone. You were born with a ton of energy. You are nonstop entertainment. You gave me your first smile when you were just minutes old. I know it was a real smile because you make the same smiles today (and a few cheesy ones, too). 

You made me a mommy. I love you, Jackson Alexander. Happy 5th birthday!

Love,

Mama

Jackson's Favorite Things at 5!

Colors: blue and orange 
Book: The Jackson Book (a Shutterfly book of his first week)
Toy: Angry Birds Starwars II Battleset
Show: Paw Patrol
Movie: Batman
Friends: Celeste, Danny, and Jace
Clothes: Teenage Mutant Ninja clothing and Lego clothing (oh, boy!)
Snack: Cake Pops
Drink: water
Meal: Steak
Restaurant: Santorini Grill (Greek) and Chipotle
Animal: Birds...Angry Birds
Place to play: Kidventures

When I grow up I want to be... "a firefighter. And also...a football player!"

Now that I'm 5, I can..."buy 5+ toys."

My best memory of being 4 was..."learning to ride my bike."