be mine

Valentine’s Day is the grand crescendo of our birthday season. It wraps up a thirty day celebration of six birthdays, our anniversary and about seventeen cakes (help me Trainer Momma!). As the big day– Ben’s eighteenth birthday– draws near I go into a bit of a frenzy mixing up sugar cookie dough, adding a few more ribbons to our window display and filling my heart shaped candy bowls.

Monday night we sat down to create our annual family Valentines. The rules are simple: make at least one for each person, no insults.

Generally, we stick with red and white paper, scissors and a glue stick. But I pulled out some pink glitter from Mary’s birthday party and the boys were enthralled with all the creative possibilities.

It struck me– boys are glitter deprived. It’s true.

After a good hour and a half, (yes, I was surprised that they sat there that long) Erik previewed the cards.

and the other side…

Mary’s were effusive,

while Hans stuck with simplicity.

Gabe=sweet

Everyone got a little present with Stefan’s Valentine– a stick, a robot, a spring. I know you’re jealous.

Ben went for the 3D effect with pop out hearts and lift the flaps.

Erik expressed his worry about writing anything without spell check; Stefan gave him this gloriously appropriate card.

I hope you feel the love coming your way.

xoxo, m