Thursday, February 14, 2008

Family of Valentines

For my little guys, Valentine's Day is about a few different things. It's about waking up to some candy and a couple of new books on the breakfast table, and then handing out some of the yummy cookies they made for our friends and neighbors. For Baxter it's about bringing Scooby Doo Valentines to school and giving them to everyone during the class party in the afternoon. For Lyle it's about wearing pajamas to preschool and getting to watch "Harold and the Purple Crayon" on DVD. (I mean, seriously, a movie at preschool? Unimaginable excitement.)

For my big guy, Valentine's Day will probably mean fighting his way through another day with a bad head cold, and eating the Red Vines I've given him. Oh, and maybe sneaking a few of those yummy cookies when no one's looking. Those oughta take the edge off that cold.

But for me? My Valentine's Day highlight this year is about giving Baxter one of these lovely hearts that he's been pining for ever since I gave one to Lyle last week. Okay, and it's about giving one to Matt, too, because I also want him to have something to hold onto when he misses me.

You see, I'll be leaving on a jet plane after work tomorrow night for my Second Annual Unbelievably Fabulous Girls' Weekend, this time in Minneapolis because the friend who lives there is quite pregnant and not up for travel. I wrote about last year's amazing weekend here, and have been looking forward to doing it again all year; as in, I was excited in August that we were already halfway to the next one. That kind of excited. I have no doubt that I will have a wonderful time again this year. However, it is somewhat unfortunate that this weekend with friends and my trip to California are only going to be separated by two days; days which I will spend with the boys in their entirety, but which are still only two days bookended by time spent away from them.

And so we're going to need these hearts, all of us. My guys with their beautiful flecked glass hearts and me with the colorful Lego heart creation that Lyle made for me, the one that the boys fill with hugs, kisses, and love every time I leave the house. (Truly, every morning there's a huddle by the door as hearts are filled with smooches and "squeeeeeezy, squeeeezy hugs!". It would melt the heart of even the grinchiest Grinch.)

We'll hang on tight to these hearts, my sweet family of Valentines, over the next 10 days as we separate, come back together, and then separate once again, holding the love close until we are all under one roof and life returns to normal around here.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

8 comments:

Drama Mama said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you, too, sweetie!

Such a big heart you have.

Anonymous said...

Yes, you have one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. Happy Valentine's day to you and your sweet boys...all three!

Niksmom said...

Sniffling here...that was the sweetest picture you painted of all of you filling those hearts with love...man, you have the coolest little family unit. Seriously. And what I love, love, love is that you all know it and appreciate it.

Have a blast this weekend...you deserve the getaway as much as any one. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't WAIT til tomorrow and the Fabulous Weekend! Happy Vanlentine's Day to you and your sweeties. What a sweet reminder to cherish those huggy moments we enjoy with our boys, big and small. Yay!

Becky said...

Happy Valentine's Day to such a wonderful family! You guys are so sweet!

tulipmom said...

This was beautiful. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. I just ordered one of those hearts to give to SB after the baby is born.

Jordan said...

Tulip Mom, that is such a sweet way to use the hearts!! I hope SB will love it - judging by their popularity around here, he sure will.

Baxter tucked his into his backpack today, insisting it had to come to school with him. I had to set aside my fear that he will lose it.

Amy said...

And to you, friend, and safe travels.

PS - I LOVE how you are using that photo as your profile pic. Too funny. And you look waaay better than I do, trust me.