My sweet valentines...

If all we need is love, then I've got it all baby!!


(inspired by Mortal Muses)









Even Ray posed for me.



All of them. My one & only's. My true loves. Forever and ever. I'm a lucky girl!!

Be sure to tell your sweet valentines just how much they are loved. Today. And everyday.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Worn...

Okay, really.  How does this happen.....



This is the 3rd (THIRD!) pair of pants that Henry has worn a hole in the knee in two weeks.  And he's grown two inches since September. 

At this rate, he'll have nothing left but shorts to wear to school in March.  (Come to think of it, Henry would probably love that!)

But despite having to buy a few new pairs of jeans, I am so SO grateful that Henry is still little enough to crawl into my lap. To hold my hand. To call me "mommy" sometimes. To sit on the floor and play games with me all evening. I know these moments won't last. I know what is ahead. And I'm sure what is ahead will have it's mommy perks too. But, oh how I appreciate this sweet little boy right now, ripped jeans and all.

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So I wasn't going to post any Anna pictures today. She is a blog-monopolizer! (show-off!) But darn, these were just too cute.

Bath time this morning....

Pleased to meet you...

Today, Anna's dear friend Emily came over for a playdate.  As we were getting ready to go and pick Emily up, Anna said, "Mama, Emily doesn't know Grandma Anne.  When Emily gets here, I will say 'Emily, this is Grandma Anne.  Grandma Anne, this is Emily.' How's that?"

Perfect, I said.




Anna's comment brought me back twenty years.  I distinctly (distinctly!) remember the first time I introduced one friend to another friend.  It was my freshman year of college.  Most everyone up to that point in my life was someone I had always known.  It wasn't until college that I really started meeting people outside of my family or community.

Not so for Anna.  And she is three. 

Of course, much of this is because her family lives in both Minnesota and Oregon.  But still.  It just struck me....

Regardless of the formalities, Anna and Emily had a great time. As usual. 

And Grandma Anne and Emily?  Well, they were properly introduced to one another.  (thank you very much.)



Oh those freckles...



So Grandma Anne's visit to Minnesota is going so quickly.  She's only here for 4 more days.  And the worst part is that I've barely taken a picture of her with the kids (which was my big intention for her two week stay.)  But tomorrow is my big day....

We're going BOWLING..... Oh yeah.

Somehow bowling has become our "Grandma Anne is visiting" tradition.  So, bowling shoes and greasy (but oh-so-good) food, here we come. 

And oh yes, there will be pictures.