Valentines Schmalentines

Love abounds

This year Valentine's Day was a whole weekend affair. We started on Friday night by saying goodbye to school for the beginning of Winter Break, baking some cupcakes and having a few friends drop by for dinner. Then Saturday was a brunch party with a few families, lots of good eats and plenty of candy and balloons. And Sunday we met up with my friend Dessi at Magnolia's on the UWS for a little afternoon treat and some good conversation. But back to the party, the girls were thrilled to see the heart-shaped balloons for the third year running, and truth be told, so was I. It's a cheap thrill to celebrate a day of love and friendship, and I always feel the joy multiplied in our friends. I don't need much of an excuse to have people over and my girls are growing up the same way. I like that. It also helped us pass the time since Nacho was working both Friday and Saturday. With more snow, bitter cold and winds expected this weekend, we weren't even sure he'd make it back late Saturday. But he did. And that we were out delivering some goodie bags and balloons to friends who couldn't make it earlier in the day was perfect timing. We ran right into Nacho on our way back home. The hugs that ensued were proof positive that today was in fact a day of love. And we are lucky to have so much of it in our lives. 

Almost Valentines

Hope you are feeling the love wherever you are. Happy Valentine's Weekend!

Happy Valentimes

Another Valentine's Day and Elisa still calls it Valentimes. I love that. I love that we have begun a sort of pseudo celebration with shiny red and pink balloons and cupcakes and pizza party to make the day feel fun and lovely. That it was a Friday and the first evening of our Winter Break meant I decided to invite a few additional friends over to really kick things off.  For the past month or so, I've been trying to gather the neighborhood AoC kids for some play time outside of school and this was another attempt at that and more successful than the last. We hosted Skylar and Grace, Dorothy and Luna, as well as poor Leonardo who wasn't so sure about all the doll playing. But they all agreed on pizza and cake. So that was a hit. The kids also got to take home a balloon each which is a fun way to spread a little of our Valentine's cheer. Yes, this 6 month marker to the girls' birthdays has turned into a real little celebration and I do it as much for them as I do for myself. In fact, Carolina was mildly confused about the whole day and kept repeating, "it's my birthday? no?"  I loved seeing how excited she was waiting for Elisa to come home to celebrate.  Yes, it's nice to paint it up red and let the kids play and just sit back and sip wine. And that's kind of sort of what tonight was like. With more screaming. Ahhhh...yes, kids and a relaxing evening aren't exactly mutually exclusive but it's close. But I wouldn't have changed a thing about today. Getting the girls to bed late while Nacho was working was a little bit challenging but they were so lovey with each other I had to smile. A pretty terrific day and I'm ready for a weekend of hanging out before our big trip....more soon.

For my Valentines

Happy "Valentime's" Day as Elisa shouted at me this morning. She was barely awake and the words came pouring out. It's not really a holiday but somehow the fact that she loves it and wants it to be one made me drag her sister all the way to the dollar store while Elisa was at school to buy some silly balloons. And paper plates. And pink champagne flutes. Yes, I spent all of $9 on my fabulous V-day supplies and then had a few friends over this afternoon to help us polish off some cookies. Fun and lowkey and involving sweets...where do I sign up? Later we even had friends stop by for an impromptu pizza dinner since Nacho was busy working.  It all came together with ease and I needed a little socializing after a quiet day at home.  It makes me appreciate the many people we have in our lives here in the neighborhood who brighten our world.  Isn't that was this day is all about?  Love isn't just romantic, sometimes it's about bringing out the best in friends too.  So happy day, everyone. Now for another cookie...

Happy Hearts and Flowers Day!

My little Valentines made this a special day. No chocolates or flowers but a big smile when I walked through the door with these balloons. What more could I want?