I'm pretty grateful that I stumbled upon this idea on the Power of Moms website last year. And I am also pretty grateful that I didn't dismiss it as a tad too cheesy for us. Last year was so lovely so we were definitely going to give it another shot this year. Besides, the kids were actually asking for it and that's a pretty good sign that the tradition is a keeper in my books. (for a peek at last year click here).
Our day started early, and before we were even dressed, as we had to get started on our first heart before we had breakfast.
I love Milayla's morning hair. Pretty sure it's impossible for this girl to not look cute.
Each of the hearts this year had a little theme to them such as service, love, music, sharing etc.
We started by baking some of our favorite pumpkin muffins to put together some goody plates to give to some friends. While those baked we had some delicious pancakes with fruit sauce for breakfast. Pretty sure that Jason has the pancake thing down to a perfection.
After things were cleaned up and we were all dressed, we opened up our Valentine buckets.
Pretty sure these kids have a sixth sense for chocolate. I only put a couple little chocolates in the bottom of each child's bucket (and the big kid around here) and all three of them dug for it first, instinctively knowing what was in there. I just tell myself it's because they know I pick the good stuff - those lindor chocolate hearts are delish!
Can't forget that the kids opened up some more valentines from the mail the night before. They love getting mail!
I felt a little bad about the fact that we had some errands that needed to be run that morning, but we were able to combine it with delivering some plates of goodies to some really lovely people. It was a nice way to balance out the morning.
Then there were singing times, a lovely lesson about family, group hugs, and a family walk that ended us at a very fun candy store.
Pretty sure our kiddos have never been into a strictly candy store, a chocolate store, yes, but not candy. It took a bit for them to compute that all the stuff in there actually was edible and not just toys. They each got to pick out a few small candies and we found a real wonka chocolate bar. Which was kind of a big deal since we had just finished reading the book as a family. And, of the entire store, the kids were most impressed with the large wonka stuffed toy. Pretty sure Milayla was ready to march that right out of that store.
When we got home it was time for us to suit up into our pyjamas and make some heart shaped pizza.
I told everyone to make a crazy face for this picture, Milayla told me she was busy but the boys obliged. And Milayla succeeded in spreading out that pizza sauce wonderfully!
Then we all hunkered down in the living room to watch the film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Can you see the excitement in these kiddos eyes?
Unfortunately, I think their excitement was a bit let down at the movie. We stopped watching about half way through after Atticus said that he thought it was a bit scary and not as good as the book. We encouraged him to follow his feeling as there are so many movies to choose from that there is no need to watch something that you aren't very keen on.
So while the movie was a bit of a let down, everything else was a big success. The kids are already talking about what we will do next year and how it is one of their favorite holidays. I just love the togetherness that a day filled with little bits of time together to serve, learn and grow can bless our family with. I love traditions that can do that!
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