Will You Be Mine?

Happy Valentine's Day! Love is in the air, can you feel it?! 
 

This Valentine's Day, I could feel the love as my family opened musical Valentine cards, ate chocolates with breakfast, and gave each other hugs/kisses.  Lauren was the most excited because she had a big Valentine's Day party at pre-school (definitely a perk to repeating pre-school).  She jumped out of bed, and ran to wake up Ryan saying, "Dad get up!  It's Valentine's Day!"  (Lauren NEVER likes to get out of bed Monday - Friday.  I always have to drag her out of bed.  Nick skips out of bed ready to take on the day).   Although Nick didn't have a true Valentine's party, his class did give/receive Valentine's.

Rewind of our week --

Last Thursday and Friday I was busy at work with the Foundation Team.  I've mentioned before that is always a privilege and eye-opening experience to work on this team.  Each quarter we disperse grant checks to non-profit organizations in our community.  We have so much fun doing this, and really it is a perk to my job at AWC.  Last week we visited the Lynn Care Center, a very nice nursing home in Front Royal.  We give to them annually, so I've been to the home several times before, and each time I am reminded of how precious life is and how we cannot take it for granted.  As Ryan says, 'We must enjoy every moment.'

Saturday we had a bye day on all things sports, which meant a big working day for Ryan on the room, and a lot of errands for me (including multiple trips to my favorite hangout for drywall, mud).  All the drywall is officially hung, and the mudding/sanding has started.  Let the dusting begin!  I can't wait to paint those blazing red walls a nice soft, soothing color.



Closet far left, toilet middle, and bathroom

Bedroom

Sunday morning I had to go into work, Ryan had a baseball coaching/training meeting, then we had an evening birthday party at the skating rink.  I am happy to report Lauren's roller skating skills are improving!  By the last half hour of the party, she was able to skate alone, and told me to STAY AWAY...which was a good thing because the first hour she had a death grip on my hand. 

Weekdays seem to go impossibly fast.  Nick had 2 basketball scrimmages this week, one on Monday night and one on Wednesday night.  Nick's class is studing the weather, so we took a closer look at the temperatures, precipitation, and wind each day.  We worked on Valentine's day cards several nights.  We completed Lauren's Letter U in her composition book.  Each week we glue pictures found in magazines corresponding to the week's current letter.  The Letter U is a hard one.  We settled on a picture of a unicorn, a person's underarm, a large umbrella, and a lady wearing underwear.  Hope that goes well at the baptist daycare.

Both kids came home with Valentine's loot from school on Thursday.  Nick also recieved a carnation from us that was sent to him in class (great fundraisor for the school).  To my surprise, Nick really liked the carnation, and sweetly thanked us with a big hug.  I thought he would consider the flower silly.  I'm glad I was wrong, and I'm glad we sent one to him.

Last evening we had Vday dinner at home.  Homemade onion rings and pineapple slices for appetizers.  Deer tenderloin, chicken wings, green beans, and baked potatoes for dinner.  Candy for dessert.  The kids enjoyed showing us their cards.  Ryan enjoyed teasing the kids about getting special Valentine's from any girls/boys.  Nick rolled his eyes and said, 'No, Dad, none of them say I love you.'  Shew...that's good.  :)

Today is picture day at both the kid's schools.  Lauren picked out her outfit from amongst 10 assorted items I bought for the day  (purple/sparkly per her request).  She let me blow dry and curl her hair.  It was a good day for this Mom.  It is not often I drop my gal off to school in a 'cute' outfit.  In fear of her changing, I never let her know I thought she was 'cute', only that I liked her choice.  The truth is by the time we were walking out the door, she was having a breakdown over wanting to wear her tennis shoes, and not the sparkly ballet flats. 

Spring Picture day!*

*The kids were not happy to take these pictures outside daycare this morning.  Nick was embarrassed that I was taking the pictures and people were watching (for the record, 1 parent and 1 child saw this happening).  I lol'd and told them both "if this is embarrassing then we have a lot of fun ahead of us!"  You ain't seen nothing yet, I'm just getting warmed up!