Sunday, February 13, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day

I just guest posted for CJane, my sister-in-law (I'm sure you already know the link) and I wrote about Valentine's Day which, incidentally, has me thinking of Valentine's Day and how I see it differently now that I have my own kids.

My son Miles is sending his first Valentine to a girl, on purpose and not in the obligatory you-have-to-give-everyone-in-the-class-a-Valentine-sort-of-way. It's one of those Student Council pink cookies kind of thing and he's giving it to her anonymously. I'm trying not to act too excited, but I don't hide my facial expressions too well. Topher tells me that the more I want to talk about girls with the boys, the more I'll be disappointed.

Owen has spent approximately 38 hours on his class Valentine's box because he's trying to incorporate a mechanical mechanism in it that will "spin" the candy. This is completely his own idea. I just give the kids a shoe box (only one had a lid--I don't keep shoe boxes, I'm a minimalist!), some paper I have lying around, markers, paint, and tell them to go to town. This year I was really special and got some stickers. The kids were impressed. Not "scented, colored doilies" impressed, but "Hey, Mom actually bought some heart stickers!" impressed.

Phoebe would hand write a thank you note to everyone in her class if she could because she's nice and genuine. She actually thought about who would get each Valentine and if they would like the one with a free coupon for a donut or hot chocolate best. I really like that about her. It would never occur to her that some kids (boys) would just write their name on a random Valentine and give it to "whoever." I love that I bought donuts one day weeks ago at Krispy Kreme and they gave me enough Valentine's to give to all my kids' classes. That was super convenient. Things like that make me loyal to a store (I'm not joking).

Hugh wrote his name on each Valentine, as suggested by his teacher, which I thought was weird. She made the suggestion that they don't try and write each kids' name, but just their own name over and over to practice. I'm all about "lowering the bar" and everything but for me, not my kids. Also, it's a Valentine--shouldn't they just be able to do whatever they want without it being turned into homework? First the greeting card companies, now THE SCHOOL wants to be the boss of Valentine's Day? Sheesh.

I got Margaret a pink t-shirt with a kitty on it for Valentine's Day that says "I'm purrrrrfect!" which I'm normally opposed to (cheesy t-shirts with stupid sayings), but since she thinks she's a cat most of the day and she has been potty-trained for weeks now (SUCCESS!!!) and it was on sale for $2.50, she has it. Valentine's Day will most likely be a regular day for Margaret: She will be mostly naked, won't let me brush her hair, and will meow when she wants food, and hide under the furniture when I tell her she can't have a popcicle.

17 comments:

  1. I DID just read your post on cJane, and laughed and groaned with you about your Valentine's Day history. May I wish you a day of happy expectations met and sweets to nibble on. May your wonderful and beautiful kids finish the day looking forward to next Valentine's Day. May you have (at least!) a chance to have a nice telephone visit with your amazing and talented husband (who has an amazing and talented wife). And if your maiden name means loving others and loving life and making me smile when I'm glad we're friends--well, then. What a perfect name for you! Happy V Day!!

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  2. Both posts were lovely! I don't have the stress of valentines because they don't celebrate it here :) Happy Valentines!

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  3. I enjoyed your post too, and I'm impressed with Owen's plan for spinning candy!

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  4. Both posts are a great way to start Valentines for me. THanks. My birthday is on Christmas so I have a little knowledge of what Valentines must be like for you growing up--like Christmas for me. Anyway thanks for a fun mornings read.

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  5. two fun posts to start a day of love with no regret. xox

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  6. By the time I got to the end, I forgot what my comment was going to be because the last paragraph about Margaret slayed me!

    Oh yeah, they don't celebrate V-Day in my kids' school because it might offend non-Catholics, I guess. But is it bad that I'm ok with that because it meant I didn't have to spend 14 hours helping Mila handcraft her Valentines?

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  7. I feel Margaret's pain - I hide under the couch when I don't get what I want too.

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  8. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day, but I also hope you don't get your hopes up.

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  9. Last Tuesday when I saw Topher the only thing my brain wanted and needed to have communicated was "tell Lisa I love her madly!" And I do love you madly. I hope you get everything that you want for Valentine's Day. And I hope you get to come out for a visit soon so that I can get what I want.

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  10. I also enjoyed both of your posts! I also have five children and I LOVE how they all have such different ideas and expectations of Valentine's Day! My girls have had their cards ready for days...my son did not even do his cards after being repeatedly reminded! My son decided to just hand out his candy since that is pretty much all he likes about Valentine's Day anyways!

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  11. Read your post on CJane, too. Max's shirt, btw, says "Eligible Bachelor." Think we should set Margaret and The Bachelor up? I didn't get as good a deal on my shirt. Should I feel guilty about that? Nope. Lowering the bar here.

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  12. Both posts were wonderful, I'm a maiden Valentine as well (still use it for all things professional because losing it was like losing a limb. Also my husband's last name is difficult to pronounce.). My seven-year-old could not be more clueless about girls on Valentine's Day. He was only interested in Valentine's that had either a. candy or b. Luke Skywalker. I love seven.

    Wonderful meeting you!

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  13. Hi Lisa,
    Just had to pop over and say Hi. Justin (my brother) and Amy Hackworth have mentioned your name a time or two. Good mentions. Great mentions!

    Thanks for your thoughts and your wit!
    jen

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  14. loved your post on CJane. Love the family photo of you all! I'm mummy to 4 under 5 and am swinging between going for 5 soon or holding out for 5 or saying no to 5 but seeing that family pic and I think oohhhh go for 5!

    oh and I my husband thought I meant it when I said I didn't buy you anything for valentines day because of course it was code for surprise me! he had to go out at 7 to bring home some flowers to keep the peace!

    love your blog! keep up the good work!

    Corrie;)

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