Valentine's Day Festivities

We started our Valentine's festivities off the day before, first with a very sad-looking rose that the receptionist at Cat's orthodontist's office gave me after her appointment.  (Side note: she's almost done with braces!!)

That afternoon was pretty crazy because Jack and Eliza had to make their Valentine boxes in the afternoon (they could have done them earlier, but it seems like every other day is crazy too....) and then all the big kids performed in a piano recital that night.  (More on the recital later.)

 I did my usual little bit of decorating for the kids to wake up to, with a Rice Krispies kiss for each of them, a little Valentine from me, and some candy.  Then I finished off the sugary morning with heart-shaped waffles, pink whipped cream, strawberries, and heart-shaped bacon.  Because nothing says love like fatty slices of a pig's belly shaped like a heart.

The younger kids had Valentine parties at school and came home with a few bits of candy and plenty of empty wrappers.

The rest of the day included piano practice, homework catch-up, a cousin playdate at the park, gymnastics for Eliza, frozen pizza and a movie for the other kids, and dinner at Chick-Fil-A for Ben and me.  It was a good, festive-yet-low-key kind of day with people we love!

On Sunday of Valentine's Day weekend we had our customary fondue dinner and dancing, inviting some friends to join us.  My adult cousin and his wife came, and our friend Tony brought his wife, baby, and little brother.  When dinner and dancing were over we also put the young couples on the spot with a little bit of the Newlywed Game, which was fun too.

Cat taught us the dance for The Git Up - so fun! 

Eliza, Cat and I loved having a little time to snuggle Liliana!