Valentines Weekend

Friday was Valentines Day.  My Valentine spoiled us with beautiful flowers.

 I surprised the family with hearts.  It's so fun to surprise each other.  Brandon didn't know what I was doing with the hearts because he was working late, and I didn't know he was getting flowers (also because he was gone late).  It made for a fun morning.

 Later, Noelle surprised me with more and more flowers... from my garden. 

 As you can tell, it made a beautiful bouquet.

When I picked Melanie up from school, the first thing she asked was if I had a Valentine for her.  Unfortunately, I didn't... I thought the hearts and the special dinner were good.  She was a little heart broken, but eventually forgave me.  That night, we had a "magical" dinner.  I made conversational heart cups and set the table with heart plates.

 I also made heart pizzas, which Brandon grilled for us out back (grilled pizzas are by far the best).  I fashioned the dough and most of the ingredients to look like hearts.  Unfortunately, they all turned out to be under the cheese and therefore, not apparent.  O-well.

 It was fun!

 Saturday afternoon was a warm one.  We took Preston on a little adventure out of the house.  We took him to a park.  Mom and Preston (and a not-so-happy Oliver) hung out in the shade while the older children played.  It was definitely a nice change to get out of the house, even though it turned out to be such a short adventure.  Mom is getting a little cabin fever.

 This here is proof that it is WAY too hot for February!  Look at that girl... she was covered in sweat and all red from the heat.  Brandon took them all to Quik Trip and got them slushies.  That seemed to help cool them down.  It also helped the not-so-happy Oliver smile a bit.

It was a fun weekend and we really enjoyed our little adventure.

Building some Imagination

 Tuesday mornings are time with mom and the boys.  Both girls are at school, so some serious playing has to happen.  This past Tuesday, I got down the blocks.  When I told Oliver I was getting down the blocks, he wasn't very happy... until he realized what the blocks could do.  For example... the blocks could turn into a train. (He built this by himself).

 Soon, the train was torn apart, and he asked for an airplane.  I did the best I could.

 And if you have an airplane, you also need a helicopter!

 Oliver played hard with those blocks for 2 hours.  He made so many things.

 Later, during Oliver's nap time, Noelle asked to play with the blocks.  I thought it was interesting the difference between my little blond and my little red headed man.  When Oliver was excited about things like Trucks, Trains, Planes, and Helicopters... Noelle built furniture, like a table, bed, and couch.  Eventually she also got out her barbies and let them play with the furniture.  It was fun.

I'm KNOT Kidding... I love you!

Melanie LOVES to braid.  She braids everything... her hair, my hair, barbie's hair, Noelle's hair, random things around the house...  I think you get the picture.  So, when it was time to come up with Valentines, it didn't take very long for us to decide on Friendship Bracelets.  

Melanie braided 21 different bracelets.

 Then she stamped the words "I'm KNOT joking, You are Great!" on some hearts.

 I added the whole punches and inserted the bracelets...  And Ta Da!  Valentines were made!

 To go along with the theme, I crocheted her teacher and the teacher's assistant a dish towel.  Melanie picked out the yarn and made the tags. 

All in all, I think she did a wonderful job!  Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Brotherly Love

Sometimes Preston likes to hang out with the family in the living room.  He gets to lay out, spread his limbs, and listen to the complete chaos around him.

 And sometimes he has a friend...

 Awe...  Brotherly Love!

Mr. Sleepy Head

Oliver doesn't like naps.  Apparently one doesn't actually understand the value of a good nap until that person is an adult.  Oliver DOES NOT like naps.  And ever since he started climbing out of his crib, nap time has been more of an adventure than it was before.  Sometimes he sleeps in his bed... but most of the time, he sleeps up against the door, like this:

 Today, however, he gave me a bit of a fright.  At 2:10 pm, I went into his room to get him up so that we could pick Melanie up from school.  I opened the door very slow and with caution, thinking he may be behind it.  He wasn't.  I looked over to his bed...  No sign of him.   I started looking around his room, in a bit of a panic.  I couldn't find him.

 Then I saw it....  a little bit of orange coming out of the closet.  

 Apparently Mr. Sleepy Head found a new comfortable place to sleep, on a mound of blankets, in a tight corner.

Hugs and Kisses

It's time for bed... and that means time for hugs and kisses.  Brandon brought Oliver into the kitchen, where I was getting Noelle a drink, to give me an opportunity to give Oliver his hugs and kisses.  I asked Oliver for them, and got this:

Oliver: "No!  No hugs and kisses!"

Good thing I changed his mind with some tickles.  I would have been sad without my hugs and kisses tonight.

Be My Valentine

Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  It's time to get imaginative and make some Valentines.  Noelle got a good start on Tuesday and finished her class's Valentine's Day cards today.  I think she did a great job.  The entire idea was hers.  I just assisted with the cutting and taping.  After I cut out each of the butterflies, I asked Noelle how she would like to decorate them.  She informed me she wanted to use stamps, stickers, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and chalk.  She didn't say paint, which is ironic, because that was what I had in mind.  I had to limit her to a few items.  In the end, she picked stickers and markers.  Good choice, Noelle.

 Check it out.

 Noelle spent a good 30 minutes on each card decorating them just right.  Because of this, she couldn't finish in one day.  But that is okay, there is always another day.

Then she put a Sweet Tart in each butterfly.

 Here is a sample of the finished product.  She made 10 in all.

Great job, Noelle!