Valentines

Valentine’s started out with girls night on Friday (the 13^th).  Husband was at a scout training, one brother was working and my other brother and dad were both wrapped up in home repair projects.  So all the women, plus a large collection of beautiful, sweet and crazy little girls (my L being the oldest, 9 children total) gathered Friday evening.  We let the kids run and play, thrilled to see each other while we deliberated over dinner and finally ordered pizza.  The pizza picnic on my tv room floor was a big hit with the kids and then we had a blast with our “minute to win it” style games.  All the kids gathered around the table for challenges like stacking conversation heart towers, picking up marshmallows with a straw, sorting colors and more.  The conversation heart tower was my favorite.  L was so focused, lining up her hearts perfectly straight.  A was genius, building a solid, larger base to support her towers.  Then she moved on to patterns.  E was perfectly content to alternate stacking and eating as she went, giggling every time the towers came crashing down.  We had cupid floats for dessert (sprite, vanilla ice cream and a red vines straw) which were fun but actually not so popular.  Eventually we got the kids all in bed and the women stayed up until 1:30am, indulging in truffles and chatting.  On Saturday, the kids woke up ridiculously early and we had to tide them over with a movie until I was awake enough to process anything.  I made pancakes, we played, decorated heart shaped cookies and then spent a long afternoon letting the kids wear themselves out at the park.  Lunch was a huge hit.  I saved heart shaped truffle boxes to use instead of plates, cutting their sandwiches and fruit and veggies into bite-sized pieces.  The kids loved it!

For Saturday evening, Husband and I invited several couples from the neighborhood to come over for dinner and games.  So when he got home after his scout training, he played with the kids, ran some errands for me and then dove right in, helping me clean up and get ready for dinner.  My dad arrived, thoughtfully bringing cute little things for the girls, oreos for me and adorably sweet girls for my mom.  Then my parents kept all the little girls upstairs while Husband and I entertained downstairs.  We had a great evening!  I made dinner and we chatted casually.  As we finished and still sat just talking comfortably, Husband suggested playing “Two Truths and a Lie”.  I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt.  It was so fun getting to know everyone better and to relax and be social.

Meanwhile that evening, L went on on a date with Grandpa.  I was hesitant to suggest it but he loved the idea.  So he picked her up, bringing treats for all the little girls and then taking L with him.  They went grocery shopping and she picked out steaks, mushrooms and asparagus (such good taste!) and then went to Grandpa’s house to cook.  L was thrilled to take their “activity” with her.  She took her favorite movie, Matilda, and two small boxes of valentine truffles to share.  However, she fell asleep before the movie ended.  We decided she could spent the night at Grandpa’s house but she woke up a few hours later, disoriented and homesick so he brought her home.