Valentine's Day 2015

It's been so long since I've been here writing in this space. So much has happened.

Valentine's Day brought so many wonderful memories.

Throughout "Valentine's Week" we wrote each other love notes.

Decorating this year was sweetly special for me. I pulled out the album of love I made for Patrick a few years ago for our anniversary, scattered our past Valentine's love letters around, and topped off the ensemble with a banner of vintage Valentine's.

The day before Valentine's Day, the boys brought their scratch-n-sniff valentine's for their classes and came home with a bunch of loot. :)

Then later that evening we went to our ward Valentine's Dance. It was so sweet to dance with Tate and see Patrick dance with Maylie for the first time. Easton wanted nothing to do with dancing so he just watched. And for most of the night we watched as Maylie, donned in her Cinderella dress, danced and jumped and twirled on the dance floor all by herself. On the way out they gave Maylie a tiara and the all the kids balloons.

The next morning we had a special Valentine's brunch. Earlier in the week I recorded myself reading 11 of our favorite {and brand new} children's books. I hid the basket of books along with the baskets of Valentine's candy (per Easton's request...he reminded me that I hid the baskets last year). I was completely amazed when my littles listened to the books over and over again for the next two days straight. 

We ended the evening with a heart shaped pizza and strawberry lemonade and pink cotton candy for dessert.

Happy Valentine's Day -- A Movie for You!

Valentine's Day 2014 from Jamie Johnson on Vimeo.

Valentine's Prep.

I made these letters for my family.  Each choice pertained to a certain Valentine's activity.  (Dinner, dessert, movie, Valentine's coupons...etc.)

We also made a heart chain (like this one) to count-down to Valentine's.  Some of the links had activities on them.  We didn't get to do all of them, but the ones we did were so much fun.

HEART TREES:

CLASS VALENTINES

Easton and I had a lovely time creating his homemade Valentine's.  The day before we made Valentine's for our extended families and sent them off in the mail. (Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture).

When Easton brought home his classroom Valentine's, he spent much of the afternoon reading each one, and sorting his candy and cards and stickers and pencils.

Earlier this week I had the chance to do a room party for his 100th day of school.  It was amazing to be back in the classroom and I felt like I was back in my element.  I miss teaching school.  Very much.

And Easton was a little gem.  I've wondered how he behaves in school, and it was fun to watch him from a distance and see his daily interactions with his friends.  He has learned and grown and matured so much this year, I can hardly believe it.  I miss him like crazy, but I know that sending him to school  this year was the right decision for us.  It's been a wonderful journey.