Menu Monday- 2/13- Thought on Love

Ah Valentine’s Day…..  A day of eating out, eating chocolate, getting flowers, etc…..  Not in my house!  My husband and I have gone out for Valentine’s Day ON Valentine’s Day only ONCE in our 16 year relationship.  That was the first year.  We decided after that that we would most definitely stay in on Valentine’s Day   It works for us.  My husband doesn’t like crowds, so we avoid them if possible.  We also don’t go out for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

So, for years, we have celebrated our love for our FAMILY on Valentine’s Day, and you know what?  I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world!  Why does this holiday that’s all about love seem to be reserved for adults?  Don’t our kids deserve to have a day on the calendar that is about loving them too?  Shouldn’t we focus on TRUE love?  That is, the Agape Love that GOD has for us?

I don’t do anything really big, I just got each of the kids (and the hub) a small box of chocolates.  I might decorate the table and stuff, depends on how my day goes LOL…  And, I’ll have a Valentine’s Day themed meal   It’s what works for us   Michael and I will go out for our regular date night later in the week and enjoy each other’s company minus the crowds

So, how do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Here’s the menu for the week:

Monday:  Biscuits and Gravy, Eggs, Bacon

Tuesday:  Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner for me and the babies

Thursday:  Date Night   Kid food for the kiddos

Friday:  Pizza and a movie with the kids

Saturday:  Kids Night In at the church, I’m thinking of taking the older boys to a movie

Sunday:  Sloppy Joes, Fries

Family Time Friday- Valentine’s Day

I’ve talked a lot on the blog about traditions and the importance of them.  I’ve talked about how they build confidence and security in our children, and even in us as adults.  So, it’s appropriate to talk about Valentine’s Day today and give some ideas of how you can celebrate the day with your kids too . 

Valentine’s Day is about love.  The advertisers like to make it about buying a big diamond something for your wife or else she’ll hate you.  But that’s not at all what it’s about.  It’s about love, and that has nothing to do with the size of a diamond or extravagant gifts.  While the history of Valentine’s Day does involve lovers sharing their love for each other, it is completely appropriate to celebrate it with our children as well- sharing our love for them.  This is a great site, by the way that shares the history of Valentine’s Day in detail . 

Here are some ideas of ways to celebrate the day with your children:

• Fill up a bouquet of red, white, and pink balloons with notes to your children about what you love most about them, what you admire about them.  Hang them on the wall or lay them out in the living room floor, and have them pop the balloons to read the notes.
• Make a candy scavenger hunt for them.  Provide them with a note with a piece of candy that gives instructions on where to find the next note.  After following the hints to several notes have them end at a final prize of a larger piece of candy, or other gift.
• Make a “red-themed” dinner, eating only red food.
• Make or purchase valentines for close friends or family.  Go to their house and leave the Valentine on the step.  Ring the doorbell and run and hide so they don’t see you when they retrieve their Valentine!
• Have siblings draw names out of a jar of their other siblings and have them each write a note to the person they drew about the things they admire most about them.
• Instead of purchasing Valentine’s cards for your kids’ classmates, plan some time to sit together and make them. 
• Write out a candy poem to your children- replacing certain words with candy bars.  “I’d give 100 Grand for you” etc…

I hope this has given you some ideas of ways to celebrate the day   If you have any other traditions you celebrate at your house I’d love for you to leave them in the comments section for other readers!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Family Time Friday- Little Leaps of Love

We're approaching February and that means Valentine's Day.  Do you do something special for your sweetheart for Valentines Day?  Do you have traditions you enjoy?  Do you do things for your kids?

I try to get the kids each something small and we have a fun Valentine's or Red- themed dinner and dessert that night.  My husband and I have only actually gone out twice for Valentine's Day on the actual day and it's such a zoo that we've decided we'd much rather spend the evening at home with the kids.

I always look forward to Valentine's Day because it's another opportunity to show my love to my family.  Which is why I'm excited about a series a fellow blogger is doing called Little Leaps of Love!




Each day in February (excluding Sundays) she'll be posting a challenge- a little task to do to show love to someone in your family.  She's also holding a contest with prizes!  How fun is that?  I'll be joining in, and would love to hear if you are too!

Whether you're joining in or not, I'd like to know, what are some of the things you do to make Valentine's Day special?