I Love You More Than Valentine's Day

I know, I’m a couple (okay several) days late making this post, but there’s a reason. Call me unsentimental, but Valentine’s Day has never been one of my favorite holidays. I appreciate the purpose of it and I think I probably embraced this holiday more when Brian and I were dating, but the day itself seems so arbitrary. After all, isn't that what anniversaries and birthdays are for? That was all until I had kids. Actually, it was all until I had kids who can draw and cut out hearts and write “I love you” (which has been up until this year). Now Valentine’s Day in our house is more like Valentine’s week; it’s the holiday that keeps on giving. There are daily displays of sibling rivalry between Blake and Garrett as to who can make the most, the prettiest or the biggest Valentine’s Day cards (which are ALWAYS a heart-shaped cut out or a drawing of hearts and some semblance of the words “I Love You”). Since being a mom is often a very thankless job and the (unsolicited) “I love you’s” are sometimes few and far between, I've embraced this holiday as a form of, let’s say….parent appreciation. I figure indulging in some candy and cookies (and the inevitable sugar high) are well worth the ubiquitous love that fills the kids’ hearts, minds and tiny fingers, even if it’s short-lived. Now, if I could just get them to show their “appreciation” all the other days too… And for the record, I love YOU (Blake, Garrett, Chase, Ella & Brian) more than... Valentine's Day!

Here is a collage of Valentine's Day pictures made by the boys.

Garrett's Valentine's Day sign that he made (that says "I love Garrett") for the front yard (he later clarified that it's supposed to mean "love, Garrett")

A sample of Blake's impressive art work.

Just a few of the Valentine's Day cards made by Garrett (the little ones are for the twins).

2/24 Addendum: Okay, we're 10 days past Valentine's Day and the boys are still giving out cards! Even the dog is getting cards now...here is a picture of the card Blake made for Sequoia (hmmm, conversation bones...he might be on to something!).