More reasons to celebrate in February

Reasons to Celebrate:

Carter completed his first merit badge: Family Life!

One of his projects was to shine over 20 pairs of shoes.  He had learned the skill at a stake 11-year-old activity and applied it to serve our family!  He did a great job!

Evan also completed his Family Life Merit badge.  He has become my garbage man, repaired our microwave, and had the family get our 72-hour kits ready and by the garage door to grab if needed.

February 15th was the Daddy-Daughter Dance at our elementary school.  Steve found this on his desk about a month prior:

How do you say "No" to that?

The girls got all spiffy for him.  They chose one of my perfumes and asked for blush and lip stick.

I know I'm biased, but I've got some beautiful girls!

Lizzie's hair was stunning.  The Waterfall braid is my favorite!

Our February was cold without much snow, so we were ecstatic when we got some that stuck!  The girls grabbed their friend next door and slid down our mini-hill in the back of the house,

 made snow angels

 a snowman (not wet enough to stick, so he's lying down),

 jumped on the trampoline,

 and drank hot chocolate with their pinkies up!

Valentine's Day

I know it's like April, but I have to record all the things we celebrated this winter.

Chicago can get pretty blah January through March (or April sometimes), so I'm always trying to find ways to keep us all cheery. One of my sayings is: Celebrate Each Day!  Well, it's hard in the grind of real life, but Valentine's Day is a perfect example of finding special ways to decorate, cook, smell, feel, and celebrate life.  This year I found these darling mini mailboxes at the dollar spot in Target!  Totally worth it.

Every day in February, the family received a small gift in their boxes.  The first day was a new pencil and small pad of paper to write their own love notes.  The following are a few more cheesy examples.

(I just can't help myself!)

I can't disguise my love for you!

I love you like a love song, baby! (I'm so proud of myself for this one!  I thought of it myself!)

I am nuts for you!

Youa re EXTRA special to me!

I hope good FORTUNE comes your way!

You probably can't tell, but I found heart-shaped pasta at TJMAXX!

Our "lovely" meal...

Dinner was lovely, but breakfast was too cute not to share.  Can I just say that Pinterest is one of my best friends!  It makes me feel like a rock-star mom when I actually apply the ideas I pin. :)