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.





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
katieo
Oh that card from Ben to Mary made me CRY! No really, I’m sitting here with tears on my cheeks. I’m tempted to go call the school, pick my boys up, buy some glitter on the way home and make valentines with them all afternoon.
Tomorrow. 🙂
GeorgiaBecksteads
That is a great family tradition! I want to start it for our family.
Jess
I love this idea! Maeve has been making valentine’s for weeks, it seems, but I love that everyone gets involved!
You guys are too much fun!
Sue
What a great tradition. I wish my kids were still at home so I could institute it!
=)
Kerri
Super super super cute! I love it! I’m totally stealing this for next year.
Selwyn
Glitter deficiency – whodathunkit!
Luvies, SK
Rachelle
Okay, you are the best family EVER. You have warmed my heart like you wouldn’t believe. The first pic of you all sitting around the table together. Sigh… LOVE this on so many levels.
Tracy
How sweet are you guys? Love this.
xoxo,t
Trainer Momma
The tattoo valentine is my favorite, hands down. We usually do this, I don’t know why I haven’t gotten around to it yet! We will definitely have to do it this weekend before it’s too late!
Heather
What a fun tradition, maybe that will be our Sunday afternoon activity tomorrow.
Claudia
Those are the sweetest cards ever. I hope you save them for years to come.
The tattoo picture made me laugh out loud!
Thanks for sharing…sending my love.
Mathmom and family
Love, love, love this tradition and will try to get the kids to do it today.
Jan Russell
ME TOO! I am dying over here, don’t get tatoos! I seriously can’t stop laughing.
This batch of Valentines is the best I’ve seen in forever. What a lot of love in your family!
Our California Life
Michelle —
What a cute idea, I really wish I had thought of that when all six of our children were at home. With only Jonathan at home now, there wouldn’t be a whole lot of cards being exchanged…but maybe I can start this tradition with our grandchildren! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs from Newport —
Joan