Another non scrappy post, but that's ok.
We had a nice day yesterday.
Evan and Mike had work all day of course, and this year Erin had preschool in the morning. (so much fun that she came home from school calling her Valentine box, her "box of love". And it was full to the brim!)
Valentine's Day has significantly changed for me in the past several years. It's no longer so much about romance, but family.
Don't get me wrong. It's not like I don't believe in romance. I do. But personally I don't really need to devote a day to it. :)
And Mike and I actually celebrated on this past Saturday when we were able to have a date night with the kids at my parents. We have actually had several date nights this year already which is nice. As the kids get older, it gets easier to put that time aside! I'd rather have date nights than one day a year (lol)
Anyway, for Valentine's Day we do a family party in the evening when everyone is home together. I decorate the dining room, we have a special dinner and dessert, and exchange a few Valentine's.
And I was pleasantly surprised at the "valentine's" Mike picked out for each of us this year.
Books!
What you may say? How are books good for Valentine's Day?
Well if you know my husband, you know he is not a reader. He just doesn't like to read unless it's something "useful".
But the rest of us are. We love to read. Evan more and more so as he becomes more comfortable with it.
And I have been a book addict since I learned to read many, many, many years ago ;)
For me:
I never told him I wanted to read this book. But he knows how much I love her and love Glee. Great choice, no? :) I always find it kind of hard to buy books for others without some kind of clue.
For Evan:
Somehow this book came up in conversation, and I realized Evan really didn't know who Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn were. So Mike picked it up at the book store and they are going to read it together. What could be better than reading a book together? And I should know after reading all of the Harry Potter books with E.
And for Erin:
Mike knows how much she loves Strawberry Shortcake and how much she loves her dance class. Perfect :)
A dad who knows what his family loves. Something that isn't about him. Could you ask for anything more? Especially on Valentine's Day :)
Me on the other hand. I bought Mike this:
We have been wanting to see this for a while. Pretty happy to say that I am three for three in the surprise department for gifts lately. Mike is really hard to surprise with gifts and he is so good at surprising me! But so far, his birthday in December, I got him Radiohead tickets. He didn't see it coming and loves Radiohead. Christmas - an ipad. And now - this movie. Grant it, the movie is small compared to concert tickets and fun technology, but it is just being able to surprise him with something he wants!
So Valentine's Day was fun! But hardly any photos. For some reason, I just wasn't into "capturing the moments" this year. The only real photos I took were
Erin marble painting while I tried to finish up cookie dough, and...
the kids opening up a little gift from their Mimi. Their own flashlights which they loved. She knows them so well :)
Otherwise, it was a pretty photo less, stress free, Valentine's Day.
How about you?
i am with you on valentine's day! i really just love spending time with my family!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about Valentines Day, especially as the kids get older. Yours sounds like a fantastic day! How much do I love the fact that he bought you all books! So sweet!! My Mike is the same way about about reading :)
ReplyDeleteCUte post MJ - stress free, the best way to celebrate! Ours is family too, we do date nights to so a certain day is no big deal even though he did bring me candy from Sees!
ReplyDeleteI just love the "box of love" that is sooooo cute!
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteI love your post, Mary Jo! I totally agree about making it all about one day!
ReplyDeleteYou asked me if it was difficult to keep up with the photo a day. So far, no - but we'll see. LOL You also asked me what I was going to do with all of them. I created 1 collage already, from January, 2012. If you'll stop back by my blog, I'm going to blog about it. I was wondering what to blog about today, so thanks for the idea. :)
IKWYM! Valentine day for me is family too!
ReplyDeleteLove that you received books such awesome gifts!! One of Ellie's small gift was a deck of cards about animals. Each card gives facts & details about a animal.
Glad you had a relaxing stress free Valentines those are the best!!
Sounds like you had a wonderful night! We had the same one around here. It is all about the family. Dinner, dessert and a few gifts. No photos either. Oh well, sometimes making the memories are more important than preserving them.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a perfect Valentines to me! I've been wanting to read her book too!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great you as a family read together! Sounds like a great time to me! Love Penny Scrap-aholic@blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful Valentines day.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true how Valentine's Day changes when you have kids and have been married for awhile. It is more about having a variety of date nights with my husband than one big special celebration once a year.
ReplyDeleteThat movies looks like fun!