First Halloween and now Valentine’s Day – two holidays made much better* with time (and grandchildren). A few weeks back I noticed that Valentine’s Day would fall on a Tuesday and started making plans for heart-shaped pancakes, cookies and (yes) even cucumbers. My plans fell – a little bit – by the wayside when we realized Charlie spending all day with me would mean missing exchanging Valentines at school. Slight change in plans – Charlie went to school in the morning and was there for all the Valentines and Marc and I got to enjoy our favorite morning walk by the lake.
I picked Charlie up from school and we made quick work of baking cookies.
After nap, we decorated. I spread the frosting and Charlie did the sprinkles.
And then we got to eat them. Charlie savored his… and even gave a (chocolate) smile for the camera (I ate mine fast and have to say, Annie’s sugar cookies are worth the price).
My next (and last – we ran out of time) holiday activity was a matching game. Construction paper, scissors and glue – Charlie chose the colors and I did the scissors and glue. He had fun with the colors and the “game” and I’m already thinking about more matching games to teach the memory skills. Probably good for both of us!
…and just like that, it was time to go. I felt a little guilty about the cookie so we spent a few minutes at the park in Katie’s neighborhood. a little walk. a little swing. a little walk. and I’m pretty sure he was as tired as he ever is on a Tuesday.
I got home and found a Valentine in the mail from Honoré … and now Marc is cooking something that smells delicious… maybe holidays are simply wasted on the young.
xo, M.
*in all fairness to Marc, he’s been a wonderful Valentine for (yikes!) going on 40 years … it was the younger kid days, and the kid parties and all.that.candy. …and then all that pressure about the cards, and the roses, and the {everything else} …. that made me a Valentine’s Day grinch.
mere-et-filles 
Valentine's Day is crazy at school! I think there are many very tired teachers tonight. Love your matching game. What a fun gramma.
Your cookies look delicious! I was never a fan of Valentine's Day, especially during the kid's elementary school years when things were over the top. When John and I were in grad school and didn't have any money, we used to go to the card store, choose a card for each other, then put the cards back on the rack. Now we don't even make the trip to the card store!
Aw, I love that card store idea, Bonny!!
Hm. I will check out those cookies sometime. I love how interested Charlie is in the whole process. Ali made cookies the other day with Jun's help… she sent a couple of movie clips. HILARIOUS. It's the little things!! ❤
I made Steve a little photo collage on Picmonkey and emailed him some sweet sentiments. A quiet dinner at home was the perfect ending to the day. It seems heart shaped pancakes were all the rage – Genevieve got them too! XO
Smith is far more sentimental than I am and he always does something sweet and unexpected. Sounds like your day went quickly and you got a lot of love. That's the important thing.
I'm glad you got to have special time with Charlie, he makes a very cute Valentine!
Charlie does a great job with sprinkles!! Looks like it was another fun Tuesday for you…with a bonus walk and time in the a.m. with Marc!
My Valentine has been in bed sick for over a week. But it looks like you and Charlie spent a fun Valentine's Day. And that chocolate smile is the sweetest!
I'm not big on Valentines Day, but when the boys were little it was always fun-maybe it was the cookies and/or cupcakes!
Doug is a great Valentine too. (Better than I am.) Charlie eating that cookie is just the best.
Loved your Valentine's Day…especially the cookie making…and always happy to send you cheers~
Looks like a fun day! Thanks for the tip about the Annie's sugar cookies. Charlie is so cute watching the cookies bake. I am with you regarding the craziness of Halloween and Valentine's Day. I am enjoying them more now that I am not organizing and executing class parties. It was always a bit much, with trying to have a birthday on top of it all!