valentine madness!

i had big plans 4 the kiddos' valentines this year...we were going 2 get crafty (at least us girls were - jaden LOVES to draw, but isn't big into getting "crafty")...but the week started slipping by - & i could tell, it probably wasn't going 2 happen this year

so tuesday night, we went by good ol' wally world on our way home from our nightly kiddo activities, & picked up the ever-so-popular themed/boxed valentines & candy

the kiddos were still psyched - they got 2 pick out their fav characters...corinn picked out hannah montana, gabby grabbed some bratz ones (ugh!) & jaden picked up kung fu panda & some cool hologramed dino ones (he has a HUGE after-school daycare class, on top of his 2nd grade class & resource rooms, so he needed 2 boxes)...they didn't really care that they wouldn't b giving out handmade cards

i still had plans 4 us 2 work on these each night - leading up 2 today, when they have their big parties...but as usual, our eves r jam packed & it just didn't happen

so last night, we nixed martial arts training (i was draggin' ass tired anyway) & went home 2 get em all busted out!


all 114 of them!

seriously! would i lie 2 you?!

including all classmates, daycare friends & teachers - the grand total was a whopping 114 valentines!

the girls made it thru theirs just fine...they only had 15-20 to do (each), & even tho they started complaining about the "hard work" as they neared the end of their lists, they managed 2 make it thru

jaden, on the other hand, made it about 1/2 way thru his 2nd grade class list & the frustration set in...i'd catch him staring at the same name 4 a few minutes & when i'd ask him what the hold up was, i'd get "i'm concentrating!" (his go 2 come-back when he's really just daydreaming or not wanting 2 move along with his work)...we battled some tears & made it thru a few more, b4 i finally took over...i began writing out all the friend's names & just had him sign his name on the rest...no concentration needed - just write "jaden" over & over! problem solved

then of course, i wasn't even going 2 begin trying 2 have all 3 help me tape the candy 2 the cards...so mama spent her thursday night ER watching time, doing that...& i swear, i didn't eat not even 1 piece of candy! ;0)

is it just me, or is this not excessive? what ever happened 2 working on valentines at school?! in elementary school, i remember decorating cute shoebox containers 2 collect our cards in...then we'd sit 2gether as a class throughout the week, & cut/paste/color/address...stick em in the boxes, then have our party on the big day


i know, i know - most ppl don't have 3 kiddos all around the same age, that need 2 bring in quite so many cards...& school is different now-a-days...there's so much curriculum 2 get 2, i'm sure the teachers would have a terrible time fitting in more crafts

& it is only once a year...but that's kinda my issue too...i want my kiddos 2 love & appreciate all that they have every day - their family & friends, their classmates & helpers at school...their health & happiness...their Heavenly Father, that showers down His blessings on us each & every day!

curtis & i have never been big in2 celebrating valentine's day...we both appreciate the love & admiration that we try 2 give each other on a regular basis (plus, who can find a sitter on VD anyway?!)...having my husband by my side, there 2 always lend a helping hand & b my rock - that speaks volumes, compared 2 some roses or chocolates on that one day a year!


regardless of how big or small u & ur loved ones celebrate 2moro - i hope u all have a FABULOUS valentine's day! take the time 2 show those special ppl in ur life that u love them...don't just say it with a card - show it!

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on a totally separate note, 2nite is jaden's sleep study...& boy, is he ever excited?! he woke up this morning saying "i'm so proud it's friday ma!" ;0)

he pestered me about letting him stay home from school 1st...then asked if i would pick him up from school, instead of him riding the bus 2 after-school daycare...luckily, i had that special VD party 2 fall back on (u know, his 2nd or 3rd one of the day?!) - he wouldn't want 2 miss that! but i reassured him that as soon as ma got home from work, we'd gather up our pj's & snacks & head over the mountain (or volcano, as jaden calls it - ever since our one trip in thick fog - u know, volcano smoke?!)

we'll check in2 the UVA sleep center around 8pm 2nite, then check out around 6am in the morning...i'm hoping it goes smoothly

jaden is super excited about:
1- taking a special trip with ma, that doesn't include the girls
2- getting 2 watch tv in bed until lights out time (he calls the tv on the arm that comes from the wall "auto pilot")
3- getting 2 sleep in a "huge" hospital bed that adjusts

ma is not excited about:
1- dealing with any issues jaden may have with the whole hook-up...he's prob going 2 b fine with the wires taped 2 his head, but i suspect he'll have trouble dealing with the oxygen monitors around his nose/mouth
2- sleeping on a sofa bed - nuff said!
3- driving 4 over an hour, over a mountain, in the dark, on friday the 13th
4- not waking up beside my hubby on valentine's day!

wish us luck!

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& on another separate note, i'm off work on monday - whoo hoo! & the best part? the kiddos have school!!! ~lol~ yep, i'll get 2 spend the 1st 1/2 of the day with my hubby, b4 he heads in2 work...kiddo free!

now, that's what i call a good VD gift! ;0)

i'll b back with my usual weekend recap post on monday or tuesday - have a great weekend friends!!!