The Journey of Parenthood…

Valentine’s Day 2016

I really enjoy Valentine’s Day! I don’t make a HUGE deal about it but it’s fun to have a “love themed” day as a family 🙂 

This year it fell on a Sunday which was a little tricky with church and everything but we made it work and it was awesome having everyone home and together all day. Plus we got to worship God and He loves us the most! 

For breakfast I got a little creative and attempted to make the kids heart shaped banana pieces and put their cereal in the shape of a heart. Nothing fancy, but they were pumped 🙂 

We always eat eggs on Sundays for lunch. I know that’s random but we walk in the door from church at 12 ish and our kids nap at 1 so it’s a mad dash to get lunch made! To keep with the Valentine’s theme I put food coloring in the eggs and cut their toast into the shape of hearts and also included some strawberry milk. My kids haven’t even ever had chocolate milk but a little touch of strawberry syrup for some pink milk had to happen for V-Day!

Britt was ALL ABOUT the themed food 🙂

My three Valentines!

In keeping with the love theme Zach did frozen pizzas for dinner (a first for us but we wanted a special treat for the kids) and he cut them into hearts and used the left over pieces from Kye’s and Britt’s to do a mini version for Tess 🙂

Zach’s high school girl friend got him these sunglasses. They are SO UGLY to me (and it’s not just b/c she bought them haha) and it’s hilarious to me that somehow Kye now has them AND that he thinks they are SUPER COOL. 

The kids and I made a purple heart cake with pink icing. I asked Zach to buy some sprinkles that looked like Vday colors and he came home with a pack that had pacifiers in it for baby showers! We made it work!

Tess is peaking around that corner ready to grub on some cake 😉

During nap time Kye and I had some special time together. We drank hot chocolate and played his favorite…Checkers!

We also played in his room and took turns with his little pinball machine (my dad has legit pinball machines at his house and all those years practicing have paid off b/c I’m good ha!)

And he let me watch him put together Legos 😉

After naps we opened up our Valentine’s Day box! I’ve blogged about our box before but it’s something I did growing up in my family. My mom made a box and we’d put little goodies and notes and such in it in the days/weeks leading up to VDay then open it together as a family. I love me some traditions!

Kye dressed himself and stuck with the Valentine’s Day theme of wearing red on red 😉

Tess is at that age where she carries a TON of toys around…including in her mouth if her hands are full!

Britt was so sweet and made special cards for everyone (like 4 for each of us ha!) and she explained each one as she passed them out 🙂

Kye was also so thoughtful. He got an additional box and filled it with things for everyone in the family. He gave the girls several of his books and toys and such. Sweet brother!

I had a TON of Shutterfly codes that expired on Dec 31st so I was PUMPED to get the chance to make the kids each a photo book FOR FREE! I did one for Kye with the pics from his camping trip with Daddy and one for Britt with the pics from our solo trip to Disney 🙂 They turned out great and both kids REALLY appreciated them! And now it’ll help those special memories stick even better for them!

Zach and I have a budget of $20-$25 for VDay. Of course, he spent over budget. I do LOVE my Yeti though!!! I got him one for Christmas and he knew I’d love it too 🙂

I also went over budget BUT only by $5! I got him a Kindle Fire for $30 b/c DEALZZZZZZ. I was pumped! He reads ALL the time and I’ve heard Kindles are great for books! Now if I can just get him to try it out 😉

Britt is obsessed with the book I made her! I’m so glad I had the codes and took the time to put it together b/c it’s been WELL worth it!

Poor Kye…she kept showing it to him and he was envious. Z should let me take him on a Mommy trip too 😉

Another accessory and princess loving girly girl!

Sweet gifts from our babies!

Card Britt made at school

Picture of Mommy Britt made

From Kye

From Tess!

My favorite part of the day was Zach. He was SO EXCITED for our date night that night and put so much thought and effort into every detail. He spent majority of the day working on things and was so adorable keeping it all a secret from me. I wasn’t allowed in the kitchen all afternoon! 

Once the kids were in bed I walked into the dining room to see the table set and my husband dressed up for our date 🙂 

He made lemon chicken with capers (my fav), homemade mashed potatoes, and asparagus (which he loathes but knows I love!). And he served it with by candle light on our wedding china 🙂

After we finished eating I was told to change into a robe and wait in the “waiting room” while sipping some lemon water. I was given instructions to fill out a card about what areas I’d like to have focused on for my massage. I’m telling you…dude was detailed!

This cracked me UP b/c I didn’t want any of those areas listed to be focused on. “Yes please massage my stomach” hahahaha

After my amazing massage (complete with candles and soft spa music) I went into the bathroom and had a bubble bath to enjoy. He even bought Sparkling Grape Juice AND made chocolate covered strawberries. It was SO relaxing and just beyond thoughtful!

I know, I hit the husband jackpot! I felt pretty guilty that I didn’t make some grand gesture for Valentine’s Day b/c he went ALL OUT. I legit didn’t even tell any of my friends about it all b/c I didn’t want to make them feel bad or get their husbands in trouble! It was so, so sweet of Zach and he truly made me feel appreciated and loved and like a princess 🙂 I’m thankful he’s my forever Valentine!

Emily Parker
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