february 14

i feel so lucky to have 3 wonderful valentines in my life, and today i wanted to make sure they knew it!  the kids awakened to a festive house and were very excited to open their gifts.  brooke has an uncanny ability to remember exactly what she has received on valentine's day for the past 2 years (when i can't even remember what i bought her last year).  brooke was thrilled with her new strawberry shortcake characters, and gavin exclaimed "just what i always wanted!" when he opened his rock climber man :)  the things that boy says crack me up!

i made heart-shaped pancakes and bacon for breakfast, which was a big treat since we always, always have a cold breakfast (cereal, fruit, juice) first thing in the morning.  occasionally we cook a late breakfast or brunch, particularly on the weekends, but it is incredibly rare for the kids to have pancakes before school.

it was fun to send both brooke and gavin off to school today with valentines for their classmates.  i think valentines day is such a fun holiday for kids.  i can still remember how excited i always was to pass out and receive special little valentines from my friends.  this year brooke gave valentines that we printed at home and attached a pencil to (no candy allowed at school :( and gavin chose a box of toy story valentines from target.  after school brooke and gavin spread their valentines out on our kitchen table as i prepared heart-shaped sandwiches for lunch.  i loved watching as they opened each of their valentines.

tonight kevin and the kids made me feel very special with thoughtful cards and gifts, and we all went out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants (el coyote).  what a lovely day!