Monday, February 18, 2008

Valentine's Day Fun

We had some fun this year in preparation for Valentine's Day. About two weeks prior to it, we drew names within our family for secret pals (of course Ruby & Fawn needed some assistance). For this period of time the kids had fun doing special things secretly for their pal, such as making their bed, giving them extra help, leaving them notes, giving them little gifts, etc. Everyone had a great time and looked forward to the revealing on Valentine's Day... surprisingly, only 3 of us guessed who was our pal correctly!

Other fun things included a massive Valentine prep day the Sunday before the holiday. Now, we have never use the little boxed cards that kids can purchase because we have just enjoyed making home-made ones each year, but this year was tooooo beyond that due to Justin, MJ & Fawn having classes to supply them for and my kids + Fawn having the homeschool co-op to bring for - we were in excess of 100 easily! Therefore we were all about Hello Kitty, I Spy, and Pixar fims Valentines!

Of course, on party day(s) each of the kids came home with bags of cards and plenty of treats. I had to confiscate the goods from the smaller, untrustworthy ones to give out gradually (and just throw some of it away). Those of us who attend the homeschool co-op got to make V-Day boxes to have people put things in for us and also enjoyed a potluck. Fun, Fun!

Mike and I did not get to have our usual V-Day ritual of watching Chocolat or another film from our romantic favorites list due to traveling etc. (yet) But we did exchange gifts...

I gave him some books that he is very excited about and that came highly recommended by a friend (I know, not very romantic to most?) .... definitely read the info about the first one listed below - "Listed by Abraham Lincoln, alongside the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress, as one of the books that most influenced his life, few true tales of adventure and survival are as astonishing as this one."

Sufferings in Africa: The Incredible True Story of a Shipwreck, Enslavement, and Survival on the Sahara by Captain James Riley

Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival by Dean King (a revision of the above)

We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth

Mike gifted me my usual assortment of fine chocolate bars from a variety of countries ( new ones to try each year - yummy!) and a new suede winter coat (I've wanted one for a few years and have not had a NEW coat in over 12 years! All second hand store stuff until now!)

Our Favorite Romantic Movies for Valentine's Day

1) Chocolat
2) Phantom of the Opera 2004
3) Gone with the Wind
4) Pride and Prejudice 1995 version newly added!
(be prepared to snuggle up and cuddle for a long time!)

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