making valentines

greta worked hard making valentines for each of her classmates.  she and otto also enjoyed looking through the bag of valentines from school friends that greta brought home.  they did this again and again (and again and again). 

love day

greta came home from school today with her bag of valentines from her classmates. she was very serious about pulling each one out of the bag one at at time, looking at it and wanting to know who it was from. if it had a heart on it, she would say, "and that means that i LOVE natalie" or whoever the card was from. i think she really enjoyed looking at them, but she was so stoic and serious that it's hard to tell. i do know that she was busting-at-the-seams excited to take HER valentines to school today to pass out. she was definitely tickled that each of her teachers made her a valentine.
it's amazing how little it takes to spark joy with children. i made heart shaped pancakes today for breakfast, served them up on heart shaped plates and you would've thought i'd presented greta with a lifetime supply of dolls or toys or candy. she was thrilled....it was so cute. and so easy. i also handmade each of the kids a valentine, and she kept looking at it and saying, "you MADE this? for ME?" it was literally red paper and sharpie marker....nothing fancy. through the eyes of a child.....

be mine

valentines day is fast approaching, and this is a pretty big deal for a number of reasons. and no, it's not because joe is going to buy me a dozen roses surrounded by baby's breath or a heart shaped pendant from a grocery jewelry store. but a girl can dream, right?!

no....valentines day means a lot because it's sort of our last "milestone" before the baby comes. we've been talking about all the big events or holidays that would happen before the baby arrives, starting all the way back when our list included thanksgiving, christmas, new years, etc etc. and now here we are.....
greta has taken this countdown very seriously. when her gymnastics teacher asked her last week if the new baby had arrived yet, greta replied, "no, it's not valentines yet!!" as if her teacher was ridiculous for even posing the question.

valentines day is also a big deal because greta is making valentines for her classmates at school. when i taught at center room, this day was always such a neat celebration for the kids. it doesn't involve sugary snacks or anything elaborate. the kids just all decorate a bag the week before, and then on the day of, they each get a turn to pass out their valentines. most kids make handmade valentines, which i love and i also think this has so much more meaning for them. the picture is greta working on her valentines. notice everything all lined up just so on the counter....that was her doing. each valentine got one sticker, one stamp, and then we had to write "from greta" in a coordinating color. she wasn't too pleased that i was taking her picture for some reason. i hope she enjoys the day....she looked through her clothes the other morning to see what her options were for heart covered shirts and dresses. :)

valentines day playdate

ella came over to hang out with greta on saturday night so that her parents could enjoy a valentines day dinner for two. (joe and i are celebrating with a dinner date this week). the girls had fun....although it is hilarious to watch them be completely oblivious of each other whenever they are together. here are some pics from the evening!





ella does some browsing in greta's closet....















greta pretends to be bored by the whole affair....











the girls 'playing' together....