"There is only one true happiness in life, to love and be loved"-- George Sand
Valentine's Day to me = overpriced cards, overpriced flowers, hard-to-find babysitters to go out for an overpriced dinner. A day in which all flower shops and card sellers capatilize in and take advantage of all the men and some women in the world that feel guilt for not acknowledging their girlfriends or wives/spouses on the day of 'love'. But, in a world were too many days go by without expressing our gratitude for each other, it is nice to have a day when you are made to tell your loved ones how much you care for them.
Today on Valentine's Day when I got off work, I wanted to get Keara and Easton something small for the day (I know, buying into exploitation of the whole day!). As I was walking around our grocery store- the extent of shopping we have in our town right now- I stopped at the wall of Beanie Baby stuffed animals. Since the day we moved here, EVERY time I have been to the grocery store with my kids, we have stopped at this wall of stuffed animals. They pick several up and comment on their cuteness, we read the names and talk about which ones they like the best. Everytime they ask, can we get one? And everytime I say, not today. But today, I stopped and was in tears staring at the wall of cute little critters. I know in my heart, someday soon, these little stuffed animals will be 'babyish' to my soon-to-be 7 years olds. And, what is becoming all too commonplace on holidays, I start thinking about how they are growing up too quick and how they won't need me as much soon and more sad thoughts that bring me to the tears I was talking about.... so, I bought them two little stuffed dogs for Valentine's Day.
Having school-age children, brings me back to the fun part of Valentine's as a child- making Valentine's Day boxes, picking out Valentines, overbuyng candy so we have some at home :). Here are a few photos of our Valentine's boxes.
Easton made a Green Lantern box and gave out green lantern v-day cards.
Keara made a bird house. We made the owl cards first, so in order to tie them together, the bird house got an owl on the front instead of a bird!
They all turned out pretty cute. And, they both came home with a lot of candy!
