Valentine's Day 2018

If you asked me, we could skip Thanksgiving and Christmas and roll straight to my two favorite holidays...New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day.  

(Poor Brian though, our anniversary and my birthday also fall into that time span.  Sorry 'bout it, babe!)

Back to the best day of the year, Valentine's Day!  I LOVE this day.  I have no good reasons why, but as a kid my parents also celebrated (nothing too big) and I've always loved this day as a day to show someone how special they are to you.  I realize that some people think it's an excuse to spend money when you should show your love everyday...but I wholeheartedly disagree.  Bring on the love!

As a side note to this post, Brian is still in training when it comes to the importance of this day to me.  He thinks I'm nuts. 

Since we won't be with the kids on February 14th, I brought (some) of their presents with me.  Brian had to hold me back from buying more.  And he definitely questioned my sanity when I stood in Walmart and demanded having gift wrap and bags that were Valentine's specific. 

 I love this picture for so many reasons. 

1- Hattie knew what she was getting...that girl made me a specific list, yet she still paused and took in the moment to share Drake's joy.

2 - Drake's joyful expression over this very simple gift.  This is a picture of him with the king mackerel he caught during our holiday vacation in Florida.  He was proud of himself in that moment and I hope this picture always reminds him of his first time fishing in the ocean.

 

This boy loves his facts and he loves his Cardinals.  We raise them right.

#redbirdnation 

 

All Hattie wanted was Peppa Pig toys.  On Facetime one night, she diligently wrote out every Peppa Pig toy she knew.  She then proceeded to send me a picture of the list, just in case I forgot. 

All she wanted was Peppa Pig anything and everything...and that's what we delivered.

Baller for Life!

So maybe the term "Baller" doesn't really fit Drake.  He's way too much of a rule follower to ever appear as a badass.  But even though he's 100% a gentle giant, he's impressively pretty tough on the court.  And he only tripped over his own feet a couple of times.

I pretty much love how the boys are all intently listening to their coach before the game.  I can just tell that Drake's wheels are spinning and he's listening to every word.  Drake and two other boys have played basketball together since they started playing sports and it's so cute to watch them grow and work together.  

Have I mentioned that one of them is in Hattie's class and clearly they crush on each other?  If not...that's a story for another time.

Drake is definitely the tallest on the team so that almost automatically gets him in the circle to start the game.  I'm also so impressed with how my timid sweet boy performs so well when he's playing sports. 

Another thing being tall gets you?  Playing center.  

Even though the Orange Crush lost, they played well and have grown so much.  Drake and another kid (Hattie's future boy toy) never come out of the games.  By the end, Drake would just stand by the basket and rub his eyes.  Brian somewhat controlled his cheering, he just kept telling Drake to be a "big body".  I guess that's man language for act tough and be strong? 

Last Minute Snow Day

Originally, we had planned to stay through Monday night to watch Drake's basketball game.  However, the weather quickly declined during the Superbowl and we found out school was cancelled for Monday.  Hattie chose to just spend the night and next day with us instead of going back to her dad's house.  

Like I said a few posts ago, this alone time is much needed and very special.  Hattie is my mini me.  She's WAY more outgoing than I ever had the guts to be, but she's my inner self.  She's opinionated, sassy, 100% girly, and she also has a big crush on Brian (she get it from her mama!).

After a morning of swimming and watching cartoons that SHE choose, we decided to head to the pottery place in town.  This place actually has some really great food too, so it was a win for Brian and I as well.  Hattie requested her favorite McDonald's chicken nuggets for herself. You know I never say no to McDonald's!

Hattie painted a princess, Brian painted a football player, and I chose a Valentine's Day mug.  Brian and I are both only children, so letting Hattie help in our painting was a challenge for each of us.  It's so crazy to recognize my only child traits as I get older.

We gave Hattie a couple more choices of what to do after pottery.  I was really nervous that she would be bored because she is so used to having a twin brother to play with.  And believe me, they prefer to play with each other in these situations and clam up when another kid tries to talk to either of them.  She chose a bounce house and played hard for over an hour, but she paused for picture opportunities "for her scrapbook".  

Dinner was also her choice and she chose Red Lobster.  Her reasoning?  "Because Mom lets me eat all the biscuits that I want to eat!"

To be honest, I let her eat all the biscuits she wants because I want to eat all the biscuits that I want as well.

At moments, I felt like I was forgetting something and things were awkwardly calm...all this because I'm used to having double trouble.  Hattie was a sweetheart all day, she was surprised and joyful with each activity we did that day.  Even though that snow day means an extra day of school in May, I'm so thankful we got to spend that time with just Hattie. 

Party by Hattie

Oh football...you're not my favorite sport.  It's not you, it's me.  I know nothing about you. But when it comes to a party...Hattie is ready to plan!  She became my professional tailgating sidekick during the fall and now she's moved on to planning her Superbowl parties.

At Hattie's request, she planned, decorated, and helped cook a spread.  We even had wristbands to get into the party and invitations with polls as to who would win.  My parents house was dawned with 48 balloons and mismatched streamers everywhere.  Luckily Brian was with us when we shopped for decorations or she would have only had about a quarter of what she walked out of the store with.  Apparently, I'm a party pooper. 

Also, my mother has a plethora (and then some) of cheesy party platters and goodies.  Hattie picked out bowls and dishes, and THEN picked out what she could possibly put in each container.  My dad was overwhelmed with all this clutter...as was I.  

 This girl made a list of food...then made a list of things to do for the party...and made another list with the specific times that each food item should be prepared...she wore me out on Saturday, so much so that I was worried about how Sunday would go with this "planning".

 After Drake's baseball practice, we arrived back at my parents house to the welcome sign.  It said "Welcome to the Party by Hattie", complete with a football and "yay!".  This picture was taken before she scanned our wristbands to come through the door.  She runs a legit business.

 She completed her list and posed for her Superbowl Party planning debut.

Our list of food included:  

Little Smokies wrapped in bacon

Cheese Dip

Pringles (for the picky ones)

Crab legs

Sloppy Joes

Macaroni and Cheese

Shrimp Cocktail

Bread and Butter (only because she had to find a use for that cute spreader knife)

Fruit (which was gone 3 minutes after it was put on the table)

Dairy Queen Ice Cream

The general census was wanting the Eagles to win.  So besides the amazing party put on by Hattie, the Eagles won, we were stuffed, and all ready to pass out after that game.

Until next year...

Date Night with Drake

This year Drake's school hosted a Mother and Son Night Out.  It was a first for both Drake and me, and it was SO nice to have time with just my little buddy because being a twin means you aren't on your own very often.  

As the kids get older, I see the alone time with each kid being much more valuable.  Even as twins, they are polar opposites.  Academically, Drake is much more like me.  He's very rule oriented, loves learning and learns easily.  Hattie, on the other hand, 100% has my sassy (and maybe bitchy) attitude...so I get her and she gets me.

The event started at 6:30, and since we had to pick up Hattie after her dance, I knew we had better get there when it started.  Honestly, I was dreading some of the awkward "you're the only people here" moments but I was dead wrong.  The line was out.the.door.   

 We had four options:  Selfie Booth, Laser Tag, Bubble Ball, or Dinner.  Drake chose Laser Tag first and since we had to wait in line I coerced him into taking pictures with me.

 

 As Drake gets older, the only pictures I get with him have silly faces...which drive me insane!  I just wanna see that sweet smile!

While we were in this line, Drake knew I was cold and had left my coat at home.  He took off his coat and I asked if he wanted me to hold it for him (moms ALWAYS end up holding everything), but he replied, "No, mommy, I want you to put it on your arms since you are cold."  

As if it wasn't already obvious...he has my heart until the end of time.

 I admit, I'm not much of a game player (that's why we keep Brian around...shhh!) so I was a little nervous about playing laser tag.  Why, as a 33 year old mother, would I be nervous to play laser tag with a bunch of little boys and their moms?!?!  That was so completely stupid of me because those boys couldn't have cared less about us moms trying to hide behind blow up obstacles and trying to figure out what the hell this laser gun was telling us to do.  But don't be mistaken, the competitor in me made SURE my accuracy percentage was higher than Drake's.

Thankfully, Drake opted for dinner next instead of Bubble Ball.  There was ZERO chance I was getting into a blow up ball and let little boys knock me over.

Dinner was catered by a small Italian restaurant in the area.  They had decorated the school cafeteria, dimmed the lights, and set flowers and candles on all of the tables.  My heart melted when I realize that I'd been given this opportunity to sit down in such a cute atmosphere with my baby.  We saw a few kids he knows and I met his gifted teacher.  Sometimes it's really special to see things and people from your child's point of view.  

He also made sure to get a second helping of desserts...for "us".  Let's be real...he brought back breadsticks for me and cookies for himself.  I love carbs and he loves cookies, what can I say?

Oh Drake, that smile melts me.  You are the sweetest and most caring little boy.  I'm proud of the person you are, I'm proud of the decisions you make, and I'm luckiest mom alive to have you as my baby.