Day of LOVE

Valentine's Day is certainly not overlooked in the Keyes' household.  It's no secret that I love Valentine's Day.  The VDay decorations went up shortly after taking the Christmas decorations down, and this year MJ really caught on to my excitement and appreciation for showing lots of love as well.  His enthusiasm this year was really cute, and for the first time, we even made Valentines for friends at school together.  These are the moments I dreamed.  :) 

 

 

 Working on his Valentine's together

 Thank you, Pinterest!  MJ was really excited to share these glow bracelet Valentine's with his friends.  His teachers received Burt's Bees lip balm with "Bee My Valentine" cards. 

This was my favorite VDay decoration in our house this year.  This old window hangs in our family room.  I'd displayed all our picture Christmas cards on it, and I hated to take them down yet. I just added the Valentine banner, and got some more life out of them!  We enjoy looking at our friends and family for a few months!  

 I started these little Valentine mailboxes for the kids last year.  They sit in our window sill and are used to put an occasional love note or treat in.  Last year MJ got into it a little bit, but I usually had to remind him to check his.  This year was completely different.  First thing each morning, he'd run down to check his mailbox.  Once I realized he'd wake us up each morning then to tell us what was in it, I decided to change my timing a bit.  ;) They both received suckers, Hershey's kisses, cards, and postcards throughout the month.  MJ even reciprocated the thought multiple times a week by placing pictures and treats in our mailboxes (yes, Mat and I have one too). Next year, I'm guessing Charlotte will catch on even more, and I already have a mailbox purchased to add for Cooper as well.   

When MJ returned home from preschool, and Charlotte was waking up from nap, it was the perfect time to put out their Valentine's goodies.  Coloring books, books, a couple treats, and one small toy each, and they were very happy campers! 

MJ discovering Silly Putty.  Oh, how I loved to play with Silly Putty as a kid!



My happy girl full of LOVE!

In full Valentine gear and snuggling with Daddy reading Dora's Valentine story

We had plenty of good eats on Valentine's Day.  We began the morning with heart shaped donuts thanks to Dunkin' Donuts.  Heavenly!  Keeping in true healthy fashion, it was a heart shaped pizza for dinner followed up by these heart shaped brownie cupcakes.  That's about as creative as I get when it comes to baking!  

Cooper was happy to be celebrating his first Valentine's Day!  

I loved seeing my fridge adorned with these homemade Valentine's from the kiddos.  I'd worked with MJ and Charlotte to each make a Valentine for Mat, and he'd helped them one night at the library make their Valentine's for me.  So special! 

 

In early February, I tried to snap a sweet picture of all three kiddos, so we could prepare Valentine cards for grandparents and other family and friends.  Let me just say that I took 53 photos and ended up with two that were shareworthy.  Ha!  This one was a definite keeper.  Lots of X's and O's from these cuties!  I'm so lucky to love on them on this special day and all year through!