We Love Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's day. That's all there is to it. I love all the hearts, flowers, chocolates, everything. I even love that the weather is starting to warm up too around this time. I know that the "cool" thing to do nowadays is to hate it, but nope. Not me. And now that I have a little one to enjoy it with, it's 10x better! We started making handmade Valentine's for family a week and a half in advance. We painted, stamped, colored, made cupcakes and goody bags. We mailed out the Valentine's for family and took the goody bags to school for her party there.

 

 

 

 

While she was having her party at school, Clayton and I had a little picnic lunch at the Waterway for our date. It was short and sweet. :) and he gave me a James Avery necklace. I love it so much.

Then we went and picked Madi up from school. When we got there she was dancing around the room and jumping up and down with her friends. You could tell that a sugar-fest of cupcakes and cookies had just happened. So. Much. Energy. After her party, I took her for a play date with Izzy and she gave him a special Valentine card. He gave her a Valentine card and some candy too. They played together for a few hours at the park.

 

Who says parks aren't for Mom's too?

Saying goodbye.

I also put together special presents for Madi and Clayton :) I bought her a giant red Valentine puppy pillow pet. When I gave it to her she said, "OOOHHH, PUPPYYYY!" For some reason, I think she liked it ;) Also some Hello Kitty candy bracelets that I used to love when I was a kid. She agreed.

I had a lot of fun putting together Clayton's present. He's so easy to buy for, he literally likes anything. One time I bought him windshield wipers for a valentines day present (among some other stuff) and he still talks about how that was the best gift he's gotten in awhile. He likes gifts he can use. I used a little red chest and filled it with Hershey kisses in the bottom. I added his favorite candy, a card from Madi, a DVD he's been wanting, etc etc. But I also made him something. I never feel like I tell him enough how I feel. So I created an "I love you because..." jar. Inside were strips of paper that had different reasons why I love him. I have to admit I was kind of nervous about giving it to him. But he was grinning so big reading all the strips of paper. So priceless.

Madi had so much fun doing all of the preparation for Valentine's day. Which she pronounces "Clementine's day" or "Balemtimes day," she can't really decide what she wants to call it. I did too and I'm a little bummed now that its over. We hope that your day was filled with happiness and love, like ours was.

xoxo

Roots to Branches

I had a post scheduled for today, but after yesterday, I decided it could wait.   We went for a play date with my best friend and her nephew at a nearby park yesterday. But let me start off by telling you about Holly, for those that don't know. We met in 7th grade dance and have been sisters ever since. I can honestly say that she is the closest person to my heart that doesn't share my own blood. She has been there for me no matter what happened and I can't imagine not having her there to talk to for hours and hours. My best memories growing up involve her, and I'm so happy to say that it will continue on that way.   But back to our day... we spent the day with her and her nephew Izzy. We have had several play dates before but for some reason, this one struck me the most. I think it's the age that they both are now. He's 3 and she's 2. They are at the age where they can actually talk to each other and have a good time together, but still do their own thing. We went to a park in the Woodlands and we played for awhile. Then Izzy said, "Let's just go on an adventure!" and so we all went walking into the "forest" as he called it, which was just the woods behind the park. Madi had so much fun throwing sticks into the water with him and walking along the pathways holding his hand. At one point, she let go of his hand to come and hold mine and he said, "she let go" and had a frown on his face. It melted my heart. It all just reminded me of being so young and carefree with my best friend.    

 

I remember walking in the halls with Holly in high school (such a long time ago ;)) and now my daughter and her nephew are holding hands walking together. It just gets me.

 

I have so many pictures of us from years ago, but I'm posting my favorite picture of us together ever. I love you so much.

 

 

"Like branches of a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one."