Valentine's Day!

Our 2017 Valentine's celebration started early this year, on a visit to the town library..  We were at the library and visited the craft table - a requirement before leaving whenever we stop in.

Maksim made a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day card to be sent to a Veteran at the nearby VA Hospital. Although I wrote the words, Maksim told me exactly what he wanted the card to say.  He made sure to tell him/her "Merry Valentine's!" as well as "Thank you for your service; my daddy serves now, too!"

Bryon was in San Diego during the week of Valentine's Day, so Maks asked to get him a gift early.  I love that he's reaching the age where he thinks about others!  We were at Trader Joe's and I let Maksim choose two things on his own.  He was adamant about flowers - red roses, to be exact.  This is interesting because we rarely have flowers in the house.  He made a good call on the dark chocolate peanut butter cups, too.  Daddy demolished them in two days!

Maksim's current school celebrates Valentine's Day differently than his previous school (and differently than the schools I attended as a child).  Instead of giving Valentine's Day cards to classmates, his teacher asked parents to make a single valentine or note of some kind to be read to their child sometime throughout the school day.  I loved this idea, and made a Valentine for both of my children!  Deklan received his while Maksim was away at school.  Maksim received his (as a surprise) during class.

Maksim/Deklan,

Happy Valentine's Day!
You're humble, fearless and kind.  You make me so very proud!
Every single day I'm happy to spend time with you, see you smile, listen to you laugh, and watch you learn & grow.
You'll always be my favorite "Maksim/Deklan" in the world.
I love you to the moon and back!

Love,
Mama

Bryon prepared his own Valentine to be read to Maks at school.  He's not one to celebrate Valentine's Day, so I was curious as to what his card was going to say.  I wasn't completely shocked a couple of weeks later when the Valentine's Day cards made their way back home and I was able to read his note, "Who needs Valentine's Day?  I love you EVERY day!!!".  It was short, simple & spot on.  

The littlest Valentine is growing up and wants to be just like his big brother - hair band included.

The boys received Valentine's Day cards in the mail from their grandparents - which included gift certificates for ice cream treats at Dairy Queen.  Believe it or not, they'd never been to a Dairy Queen before, so it was a first for them both!  I let them pick whatever they wanted.  Maksim chose an Oreo Blizzard (he's really just like me in more ways than one!) while Deklan ordered a Triple Chocolate Brownie.

THIS is the face Deklan makes when I ask him to take a picture before eating his ice cream treat.

There was silence, sharing, a few "brain freezes" and (as expected) no leftovers...

Taking turns.

Teamwork makes the dream work.

A quick reminder as to how much my oldest Valentine has grown.  Look at this little bug!