Valentine's Celebrations

Last year I started February 1st putting things in a mailbox for Canon (Harper was an infant) all the way through Valentine's Day. This year I decided to do it again, for both kids of course. It didn't go as smoothly this year as we are trying to teach thankfulness and gratefulness to our children. We had to take a break for five days, but then brought it back and finished strongly, hopefully with more of grasp of being grateful for everything. :) A few things that were found in (our under because the box wasn't big enough) the mailboxes were new books, movie and popcorn night, night out with daddy, special snack, a small toy, going out to eat as a family, new t-shirts, and tickets to see Disney's Pirates and Princesses Live. 

One of the mailbox treats was a ride on the carousel at the mail.

At the Pirate and Princesses Disney Live Show.

Also, every night when checking on the kids before we went to bed, we taped a heart to each of their doors. Each heart had something that we love about them. I think this had more of an impact on Canon than anything else we did for those fourteen days. We did not take away the daily hearts when we took a break with the mailboxes. He looked forward to what his heart was going to say in the morning. We will for sure be sticking with this tradition every Valentine's Day. 

I also made Valentine's for C's class and or my niece's class. I am enjoying using my Silhouette Cameo I got for my birthday. 

On Valentine's Day Harper and I made a trip to the pediatrician. She had to get her second shot for a bad ear infection. Then my in-laws picked up the kids to take them to their house for the day, so Jess and I could finish getting our house ready to be put on the market. So Jess power washed our fence, I cleaned the heck out of our bathroom, and we did other odds and ends that had to get done. Jess and I went out to an early dinner and then Jess picked up the kids. Jess was so thoughtful and bought me flowers and gifts all three days before Valentine's Day and on Valentine's Day gave me a beautiful bracelet. Such a sweet guy.

Harper's flower from her daddy!

First half of February

This month is a little more fresh in my memory. 

So far we have -

1. Celebrated Valentine's Day, February 1st through the 15th. 

Valentine's Day Celebrations require it's own post!

2. Played in the snow (dusting). 

3. Remembered and celebrated Will's third anniversary/birthday.

This day gets it's own post as well.

4. Have watched many many hours of the Olympics. 

5. Have worked numerous hours getting our house ready to be put on the market. Ahhhh

6. And found different activities to keep us busy while it's so cold outside.

Our climber.

Playing dress up. 

No, there is nothing in that cup. We do not let our children drink 32 oz drinks. We are pretending. 

We dress up and play "pool".

in the bathtub of course.

January Update

I honestly don't remember January too much. I think I was just so tired from the holidays that we didn't do too much. I always keep up with my calendar and I didn't even get myself a 2014 calendar until February, so I am not so sure what we did. Ha! So I'll let the pictures do the updating for me. 

It was a very cold month. This girl likes to wear everyone's clothing. 

H loves baby dolls. She's a nurturer. 

This sweet boy is my cuddle bug. He cuddles with me every day. It may be after his nap (or during the time he is supposed to be taking a nap) or right before he goes to bed at night. I love it and it never gets old. 

We finally put Canon into a full bed. He had been sleeping in a toddler bed up until January. We kept thinking, oh we'll do it when we move, but that move hasn't happened yet. Update on the house - we are building and we should be moving in at the end of March/early April.

One Saturday morning Jess and Canon painted a bird house. Canon has been very interested about birds.

And he has been interested in coins. A lot of people would be surprised, but Jess enjoys collecting coins. He got into it while he worked in banking for 2.5 years. These coin collectors would come in all the time and so he kind of got into it. Now Canon enjoys it too. It's been something Jess and C can enjoy together. 

Eating spaghetti for dinner. My kids love spaghetti, so when daddy has to work late that is what we eat. Harper has been sick a lot with different colds, so I know this is one meal she will eat. 

Pajama heads. 

Christmas at the McNeils

Wow, unbelievably behind with blogging. After Christmas I was just plum worn out. I went to a little bit of a slump on wanting to keep up with anything.

So here is our time at my parent's house for Christmas.

Matching Christmas jammies.