Happy Valentine's Day!

We celebrated our first Valentine's Day as a family of four this year!  Kyle bought me a beautiful bouquet of my favorite flowers - red roses, alstromeria, and hypericum berries.  Caleb and I started off the morning with him listening to a Valentine's book on tape and following along while I cooked breakfast.  Good friend, Kim and I planned a playdate at our house for a group of kiddos before lunch.  What a blast!  It's so cute to see the valentines they brought for everyone and watch their little faces as they pass them out and then get to open their bag!  They were all adorable!  Kim planned a great craft for all of the kiddos and Caleb and I made yummy cupcakes for snacks.  I think Caleb's favorite part was showing off his toys and playing outside with all of his friends.  Thankfully, Caleb is a pro at sharing (most of the time) so he was eager to let all the kids take turns with his new toys upstairs and didn't get too upset when a puzzle we had put together and his train track city got pulled apart.

Caleb and I made the valentines he gave to his friends.  I had the idea to do some painting with the wheels of one of his toy monster trucks (one of his favorite things to do) and to buy chocolate donuts as "tires" for treats.  I think they turned out pretty cute!  He also had the idea to make colored noodle bracelets for his friends.  I was surprised he had the attention span to actually complete them all but he did!  What a great way to practice fine motor skills!  :)  

Later in the day, Caleb and I watched a Charlie Brown valentine movie together and Caleb opened his gift from Kyle, Samuel, and me.  He got an Angry Birds shirt, a few new Pez candies for his pez dispenser he got for Christmas, some Angry Birds graham crackers, and some pouches of fruit purees (his favorite way to eat fruit).  Samuel wasn't really into opening his own gift but with Caleb's help he was able to.  He got two new swaddle blankets and two new onesies (all in larger sizes since he's growing so fast!). 

Checking out his bag of goodies

  

Following along with his book on tape. 

Caleb's colored noodle bracelets he made all by himself for all of his friends.

The Valentine bag Caleb made all by himself.  He wrote his name about 95% by himself, I was just holding my hand close by since this was done with a Sharpie and I don't quite trust him with it yet!  ha

Working on his heart suncatcher!

Bright-eyed Sammy, hanging out, watching the big kids

Friend Ian working on his heart

Brooke is placing the pieces of tissue paper in just the right spots!

Passing out valentines to all of our friends.

Caleb is giving some love to Cameron

Cute Valentines Zane!

Mrs. Tanya knew just what Samuel wanted!

Valentine's kisses from his Godmother, Kim

The 3 Musketeers!  These three have been friends since 9 months before they were born!  Caleb, Brooke, and Ian!

The whole crew (minus Samuel)

Beautiful Brooke showing off the valentine's shirt I made for her LAST year.  I went by what size Caleb was in (since they're just one week apart in age) . . . I forget that Brooke's not a giant like Caleb!