I’m sappy

and I can’t help it!  Every little Valentine makes me heart swell.

Emerson left for preschool this morning and came home two hours later with the most precious Valentines from her classmates.  Even the simple store bought ones make me smile.  She said these three were her very favorite.

I need S’more friends like you via Domesticated Lady HERE!

 You make my heart GLOW via The Teacher Wife HERE!    

Even hand colored printables makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.  Preschool is such a magical time.  Who needs diamonds when you have handmade delights like these!

This is what we made to to collect her Valentine treats.  (3 minutes + empty cereal box + duct tape)

I’m putting this tray out this afternoon– we still have ten more Valentines to get our goal of 50 for the retirement home.  Tomorrow we are going to have a Valentine’s day tea-party for lunch, hand out our creations to the seniors, and then read our family love notes at dinner!

Hope you are enjoying simple and fun preparations for a sensational Valentine’s Day tomorrow!!

xoxoxoxoxo!

Painting with M&Ms

[before]

[during]

[after]

[a little Valentine spice for her room]

[in real life the paint dries pretty and shiny!]

[just because!]

THANKS Deborah! Your ideas rock our creative world!

xoxoxoxox!

nap time reading

This afternoon Frankie and I devoured the most recent edition of ARTFUL BLOGGING.  Heartfelt reflections on “finding your voice” and “living your passion” + the most stunning pictures make for the most perfect nap time reading!  If you are a blogger and haven’t yet browsed a copy of this publication… DO IT!  You can find a recent copy at Barnes and Noble.  I promise you’ll be completely revived for why we do what we do.  :)

baby toes + this magazine = pure delight!

I’m not accomplishing much these days.  These chubby chubby cheeks just keep calling my name!  I want to pinch-squeeze-nuzzle-kiss them all day long.  I did pull myself away from her cheeks for long enough to finish her baby announements!!! I’ll share those with you next week.

 Hope you are finding lots of lovely things to distract and delight you.

God bless YOU and YOURS!

xoxoxoxo!!!

Whale you be my Valentine?

Mason’s Valentines!

These were so easy to make!  I scanned his original artwork, re-sized them in Photoshop and printed them on linen card stock.  Mason addressed each mini card and then added whale crackers, happy tape and glassine envelopes.

The best part is that HE loves them!

This is his original 5×7 card!  Our printed whale turned out red instead of the orange…   One of these days I’ll figure out how to calibrate our scanner!

xoxoxoxooxox!

Semi Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

On our last visit to our favorite antique mall, Emerson (pre-haircut!), fell in love with a little box of Strawberry Shortcake Valentines.

… 

They weren’t even vintage… but she liked them so much that I gave in and splurged.

On Superbowl Sunday she got to work on spicing them up! Blaise helped too.  Beats watching football!  :):)

Of course we had a couple mini pink and red cupcakes while painting!

Littlest Shortcake didn’t help a bit!!  But she still gets credit for wearing her strawberry hat.  :)  Maybe next year she’ll get messy with us!

The final Valentine!  I added the painted sheets, chocolates and twine.

Hope you are enjoying this season with lots of handmade and not-so-handmade creations!

xoxoxoxoxo!

Shaving

Just like Daddy!

Only we used WHIPPED CREAM!

All Done!

Smooth and Clean!

xoxoxoxoxo

Big Girl Salon

Emerson was long (long long!) over due for a REAL hair cut!  She had a reverse mullet– super long on top and really short underneath.

She was so darling checking out all the over-sized style books!  She likes the long curly look.  Someday!

After shot!

I’m in a picture with my sweetie.  A rare day!!

This little chunky face went to the salon with us too.  It’s going to be awhile until she gets enough hair to cut!

xoxoxoxox!

40-63 Days Old!

A Picture A Day!

Frankie sends love and kisses to YOU!

xoxoxoxoxo