Valentine's Day

One of the most fun parts of Valentine's Day is making cards for friends and family! Ryan enjoyed "painting" with a balloon (on card stock that would later be cut into heart shapes).

When we glued the cut-out hearts to the cards, of course Ryan had to use glitter to make them extra fancy! That boy LOVES his glitter! These glitter cards were the cards that we handed out when our small group went to "Valentine carol" at a local memory care facility. On another day, both Ian and Ryan had fun using dot painters to decorate some other Valentines that we sent to family and friends that live out of town.

 Ryan was VERY excited that we were invited to attend Ian's class Valentine's Day party. Everyone that came got to build his or her own ice cream sundae. I had fun getting to know some of Ian's friends, including this little boy named Andres who kept asking me if he and Ian could PLEASE have a play date. Ha!

 My friend Aliceson and I hosted a Valentine's party especially for all of the little siblings. I was in charge of the food (Jello jigglers, summer sausage and heart-shaped cheese with crackers, Valentine M&M cookies, and strawberries). Aliceson planned the crafts. First, the kids added foam stickers to and laced a cord through a shiny heart. Then they made a heart scratch-a-design ornament.

 Of course, the kids also had fun just playing together (while we mommas enjoyed socializing). Most of them did NOT want to stop playing to take a picture. What sweet kiddos!

Charlotte, Cameron, Ellie, Elise, Ethan, Ryan, Samuel, Holly (Apparently, they almost sat in alphabetical order. Hilarious!)

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! We love because He first loved us!