Love

I woke up to Jackson saying this morning, “I want to snuggle Mommy!” What a great way to start this day! I love being a mommy!!

Jackson has been telling people “Happy Vawemtimes Day! I love you!” all day. He’s such a sweetheart. He has made some valentines and has been giving them to different people and today he said, “I’m a nice boy because I give the people stuff.”

As per our normal Valentine tradition, we had pizza. But with our crazy, hectic schedule at the moment it was a little impromtu. Cooking would take to long. We stopped by pizza hut but there was an HOUR wait. So, we had our super fun Valentine dinner at Target! Which was perfect! They have little pizzas already made {no waiting} and Jackson looooooves the popcorn. Plus, he thinks eating there is such a treat!

Pizza, breadsticks, and popcorn = a perfect Valentine dinner!

Being creative with our pizza choices is the fun part of Valentine’s for us anyway. It started out with Domino’s. We’ve eaten at Pizza Street {my fave KC pizza place!} and Original Pizza {my second fave}. Last year, with Derek being on active duty in Georgia—we celebrated when he came home for Belle’s birth with some pizza goldfish. I had hoped to make some pizza tonight, but that will just have to wait for a time when I’m not a full time grad student!

Valentine Pizza Celebration 2011

I just love celebrating Valentine’s Day! I know some people have very strong feelings otherwise, but I like to embrace the fun, creative side—not the expensive, commercial side. Plus, I use it as the time to do special things for my friends and other people we come into contact with on a regular basis {nursery workers, Sunday School teachers, nurses at the doctor’s office}. I am too overwhelmed to make treats around Christmastime, so I let the kids bring a treat around Valentine’s Day and they {the kids and the recipients} love it!

I love my hubby {and the sweet roses he got me}. I love that Jackson told me that he is a nice boy for giving his Valentine’s to people and that he gives me sweet snuggles. I love my precious baby girl and her sweet kisses! I love being a mommy. I just love our family and our crazy, busy life!

Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. To quote a blog friend, "I love LOVE!" It's a super fun time to just let the people in your life know that they are loved. And it's not even just about having a significant other because honestly, maybe sadly enough, Derek and I just sent a couple of mushy emails to each other and that was the extent of our Valentine's celebration this year! (We do have a pizza tradition that we will make sure to fit in sometime over the next weekend-- somewhere between having a baby and him going back to Army duty 2 days later... we'll make it work!). Regardless, we still had plenty of Valentine's Day fun!

Jackson worked hard on a Valentine's card for Daddy the other day. We mailed it at the perfect time- Derek received it today!!

Jackson also has a very important message for Daddy too!

Elizabeth and I decided last week that because neither of us get the opportunity to spend this romantic holiday with our husbands, that we should let Jackson and Chacey celebrate together. After all, they are total BFF's and miss getting to see each other every day!

We met at McDonald's. The kids sat up at the bar all by themselves (we wanted to give them privacy). 

Jackson made Chacey a card that simply had the letter "W" on the inside. That really is Chacey's favorite letter, no joke. We have a book that she used to turn the page and point out every "W" with excitement. He also made her a fruit loop necklace, but it only had about 7 fruit loops because then he got distracted quickly. It was pure joy for each of them to realize that they could eat the cereal off their necklaces!

Lastly, they played. At this point, Jackson wasn't a very good date and took off to climb and play without Chacey. She's not much for climbing and being around the hoards of other children. Jackson on the other hand was sliding down the slide before I even realized he had entered the tunnel! 

They hugged goodnight and each said, "I love you."

Aww.....

For the Love of Cookies- Giveaway!!

There is a cookie gift box just waiting to go out to one of my fabulous readers. Actually, it hasn't been made yet... it will be made specifically for the winner- even better!

First, let me introduce you to my friend, HanNah. She is basically, like Monica from Friends, without the neurotic cleaning tendencies and super competitive nature. HanNah is a great cook. She'll say something like, "I'm just going to throw something together for dinner. Want to come over?" I, of course, say YES!! and then head over there and have one of the most delicious meals ever. And around these parts, she's known far and wide for her fabulous cookies.

Two Christmas's ago, I may or may not have eaten all of the sugar cookies out of the goody-box she delivered within a few hours so I could ensure that I would be the person who got to enjoy them. You may judge me, but if you've ever had her cookies you'd do the same thing.

Last year, she decided to make a business out of her hobby, For the Love of Cookies, and she has been flooded with orders ever since. Not just cookies-- but cakes, pies, cheesecakes- you name it! She just loves to be in the kitchen. And it's not just that her treats are delicious, it's that they are SUPER CUTE. HanNah came replicate practically anything onto a cookie or cake. She's made cakes to match baby bedding and cookies to match sports logos. The possibilities are endless.

This weekend, she showed me pictures of her Valentine treats for this year. The cookie stands at the mall are nothing in comparison!!

Cookie Bouquet
Five decorated sugar cookies on sticks, beautifully arranged in a red bouquet. $20.00

Cookie Gift Box

Three decorated sugar cookies, beautifully arranged in a gift box. $15.00

**Place an order by Feb. 4th and receive $2 off a bouquet or box**

Place orders HERE

I immediately asked if I could do a giveaway on my blog, and because she is an awesome friend, she agreed! One lucky reader will receive a Gift Box to share with their Valentine this holiday, as well as three cookies to enjoy for yourself! (Or if you are like me, you may be tempted to to keep all of the cookies for yourself. No shame in that!)

TO ENTER: Simply "like" For the Love of Cookies on facebook and come back to tell me you did in the comments on this post. If you already "like" her company page, just tell me in the comments and you'll still be entered. Make sure to include your email in the comment so I will have a way to contact you if you win! Each cookie is individually wrapped and sealed. The cookies will be shipped via Priority Mail and will still have several days of shelf-life once you receive the package.

Entries will be accepted until midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 1st and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. This will allow you to still be able to place an order and receive the discount before the Feb. 4th deadline.

Good Luck!