Valentine's Day

We had some nice Valentine celebrations this year. I'm glad that we have community to celebrate holidays like this with. Here are some highlights:

SPARK Coop Valentine Exchange

The kids reused boxes that we made last year and had a great time picking valentines at the store and handing them out to all of their friends.

Thursday Coop (Big and Mini) 

The big kids celebrated Valentine's Day at coop (no pictures) and we had a Valentine celebration for Mini Coop, too. We did some fun activities, made a craft, and had a Valentine Gift Exchange. I took the kids to the dollar store on our way home from pickup and let everyone pick something to use for the gift exchange. Everyone got to buy two of the same thing. I told them they could buy anything in the whole store thinking that they would come home with some cool things - but no. They all just picked massive bags of candy. I tried to talk them out of the candy, or at least of ALL of them buying candy. But they reminded me that I had told them they could buy anything and so I decided to allow it. For the gift exchange, we put one of each item in a bag and then did a "left, right" story where they had to pass the present. They got to keep whatever present they ended up with. Then for our Valentine exchange they took turns handing out their little valentines and when it was my turn I handed out each of the items that they had picked at the store. It was cute and fun and they all took home a MASSIVE amount of candy. 

Our own family celebration was simple and nice. We set out a a few decorations the night before so when the kids came down for breakfast they found the table set with a box of chocolates, a heart sucker, a box of candy hearts, and a letter telling them how much we love and appreciate them in our family. 

That night we had a "red" dinner, with juice, jello, and a red entree. We usually do spaghetti, but I remember having the supplies for something else and I asked David "Can we do this instead, it's red." and he agreed. But apparently we didn't take any pictures and now I can't remember, ha. 

To conclude our family Valentine Celebration I want to note here that I am so grateful for my five Valentines. I am a lucky mama to have so many sweet people to love. I love them for their individual characteristics and for how they work together to create this wonderful family. 

I'm also grateful for my everyday-everyyear-always-and-forever Valentine, David. He means the world to me and I couldn't be more grateful that I get to partner with my best friend through this life together. I love him.