.....sometimes the week leading up to Valentines Day only needs a small preface.....to focus on the things we love.....so without further ado.....
sisters who love to deck out in their red and pink......
.....Callie chose her red dress and Elsie chose her pink dress to wear on the day of love.......and Elsie was so excited to bring all of her Valentines to her friends at school......I love to experience the intense anticipation through the eyes of my children......
crafts and cookies for our grandparents......
......I was quite proud of this half day, love project; as I am anything but crafty.....it's all a challenge for me.....but my girls love to get their hands messy......
......and we all love to eat the cookies as we make them.....
......a few pouts surfaced during our project, as I am trying to teach the girls that everything is good in moderation.....so when Elsie was denied more cookie dough, we had a 3 year old moment.....
.....but those moments pass as quickly as they arrive.....and before it's all said and done; we had some wildly decorated old chinese containers, filled with chocolate chip cookies that have been finger licked and loved.....
.......not to mention a little construction paper, glitter and glue all shaped into hearts to show four sets of grandparents they are loved, missed and cherished......
......and that very well may be the last craft we do until Easter.....
the switcharoo as we get ready for baby....
.....We have been talking about Elsie's new bed for months.....we have been talking about Callie's new crib for months.....and like most toddlers, they can be a bit resistant to change, so this talking and anticipation has been good....
......when the toddler bed arrived this weekend, Elsie was ecstatic to put it together with her Daddy......especially to assemble it with a Daddy she hadn't seen in a week......Stefan's travel schedule has kept all of us loving our family time because it's been scarce the last two weeks......but scarce doesn't mean it hasn't been filled with abundant engagement with one another.....because when family time can be few and far between, the quality can make up for the infrequency......
......and our little handymandy stayed engaged in this project for an hour.....engaged with her Daddy, asking him questions, offering her assistance, talking about what a big girl she is to be in such a grand bed.....
.....and when the bed was finished, Callie woke up from her snooze.....giving Elsie the perfect partner to test out her new prized possession......
.....and although Callie got Elsie's old crib, we did buy her a new mattress......she has to have some new things too.....and she has been sleeping like a baby since we made the change.....not to mention, Callie is thrilled to announce that her old crib is going to da new baaaaabyyyy.......
......everyone is having sweet dreams.....everyone is happy......
unexpected visits from an old friends.....
......it has been a treat to see Veroushka twice in the last 3 months.....this visit, unlike the last, was filled with quality time with my girls.....of course, like anyone who meets Veru; they loved her instantly.....her warm nature and sincere interest in others is a true testament to her genuine love for her friends and family.....
.....and while Elsie frolicked at school and Callie napped, Veru and I had some time to talk, laugh, and sidebar different conversations.......we weaved and bobbed in and out of different subjects lurking in our lives......and at the end of our visit, I had my fill.....of course, I can always use more time with the ones I love and don't get to see that often; but we crammed in some good stuff during our 5 hour visit.....and I love good, laughter filled afternoons with the best of friends.....it's a high for the soul.....
.....and Elsie documented our 19 year friendship.....not bad for a budding 3 year old photographer......
50 degree warm fronts that remind us spring is near.......
......I love my walk home with Callie after we drop Elsie off at school......it's just the two of us, it's relaxed, it's slow.....we talk, we touch things, we stroll at a toddler's pace enjoying the view from a toddler's perspective.....and today we were thrilled to see some new green peeping it's way out of the snow.....reminding us that spring is the next season on deck......
.....and being that it's the day for the one's we love, I am going to sign out and enjoy my time with them....wishing you and yours a Happy Valentines Day......
....savoring every minute......
