Valentine’s Days

Between school, family, friends, crafts and celebrations, holidays tend to be more like holiweeks.  And I love it.  All it takes is one tiny little being to remind you to celebrate life.  Halloween was a month.  Thanksgiving was three weeks.  Christmas was five.  January was just one. long. month.  And Valentines Day was a celebratory three days!

It started on Sunday with red cookies from a desserts wedding shower I attended.  A pleasant surprise when Mommy came home with cookies!

Monday morning, James had a Valentine’s party at school.  I saw a cute idea on this blog for school Valentines.  I wasn’t too pleased with the heart crayons I made, but we passed them out nonetheless.  And James has enjoyed coloring with the leftover hearts.

James’ new obsession?  Buzz Lightyear from the movie, Toy Story. For Valentine’s Day, we gave him a Toy Story book  “buzz book” with 12 little figurines from the movie.  Just a thought.  However, it turned out to be the best 7 dollars I ever spent.

Buzz is not pictured in the above right, because he hasn’t left James’ hand.  James didn’t eat dinner that night.  He was so excited about his Buzz that he wouldn’t eat dinner or breakfast the next morning.  Buzz takes baths and goes to bed with James.  I hope his heart stays this unassuming and gracious forever.

Valentine’s Day morning, James had a special play date with cousin Harper.  I find it so difficult to take pictures of toddlers… especially from my phone.  They’re like little ants that don’t stop moving.

I asked them to hug and got a chokehold instead.

Luckily, his playtime with Harper {and epic meltdown as we said goodbye} worked up an appetite.  James finally ate a meal when we got home.  With Buzz, of course.

That afternoon we decorated cupcakes with Callie and Chloe.  James wasn’t so into decorating the cupcakes as he was decorating his face.

We went home to have dinner with Daddy.  And Mommy was spoiled with chocolate covered strawberries, wine and flowers.  These Helfer boys sure do melt my heart.

Hope you had happy Valentine’s Days as well!