Chaos As Usual!

This is the last week in review...Valentine's Day was a success! Bowen and Hannah both returned home from school with candy, hearts, and valentine cards in abundance. Bowen was not so excited to look through and read the cards sent from girls. Apparently, "girls are icky!" Oh, let's hope that lasts. Hannah was as beautiful as ever at her school Valentine's dance. She had a great time and was full of enthusiasm as she summarized the event for her sisters. I enjoyed chaperoning and watching her dance with really tall boys from a distance. She is such a shorty. Courtney had a great time at the sweetheart dance and all her friends were well behaved at our home after. I think Eric made more noise than any of the teenagers! The s'mores were a big hit! Caitlin was adorable performing the basketball half-time in her grandmother's old black swim suit. It was not so cute, that is why she picked it! I am glad to have this month almost over! Can't wait for March...maybe I will be able to relax a bit!

Wiping Away the Sweat, Blood and Tears. Bowen, the Basketball King!

Bowen...Pondering the Foul with His Coach!

Courtney and Her Friend Whitney...Before the Dates and the Sweetheart Dance! Soooooo Adorable!

Hannah, Absolutely the Cutest 6th Grade Girl at the Valentine's Dance!

Here is a quick video clip of Caitlin dancing with the drill team at the basketball game! Caitlin is in a black swim suit with a blue t-shirt, wearing pig tails and a big, big smile! Yes, that is her loud and obnoxious mother in the background cheering her on!

WHEW...February has arrived!

Wow, January has officially come and gone and February has arrived. There is nothing too exciting about February other than I have sugar cookies to bake and frost with pink and red sparkles. The sugar cookies are the best part about Valentine's Day. There are valentine cards to be created and/or signed by the kids, candy to be bought and valentine boxes to create (my least favorite part, mostly because I am craft illiterate and don't have the artistic ability necessary to create valentine doll boxes out of an empty clorox container). There is the Sweetheart dance in which Courtney still needs accessories to match her dress, Hannah's 6th grade Valentine's dance, in which the skirt has already been mended (yeah, me) to match the new jacket, beads and cami. I have cookies to purchase for the 6th grade dance and I get to chaperone. How great for me and how unfortunate for Hannah. Our home is also the scheduled venue for the "after the sweetheart dance hangout" on Saturday evening, so treats will have to be made for the seven couples who are expected to arrive. A mushy and really cheesy valentine gift idea for my hubby to discover and a heart shaped pizza to bake (our tradition). There is Caitlin's best friend's 16th birthday party to attend, in which Eric will be the designated bouncer and the time found to clean the house for the "after the sweetheart dance hangout." Other than that, February is proving to be pretty dull.

There is a slight hiccup however, with the valentine activities. Bowen won't sign any valentine cards that have hearts or the word "love" because he refuses to give them to any "dumb girl." I guess we will have to search for superhero themed valentines that are adorned with blood and guts. Although, he drew a big red heart and cut it out just for me, his true sweetheart!

Caitlin's big 15 year old plans for Valentine's Day include babysitting for the neighbor and NOT receiving roses from some secret admirer, although she keeps hoping (its not fun to be 15, you can't go to the sweetheart dance yet and you have no secret admirer in a far away place to send you roses).

Anyone with any romantic and cheesy valentine gift ideas is welcome to share them with me. I am running low in the idea department this year. Maybe because 2009 is rushing by so quickly.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! We send you our love and best "BE MINE" greetings!