Valentine's Day Celebrations

I came down with a horrible stomach bug the Friday before Valentine's Day. I had planned on going up to Carter's school that day for his class party, but since I was in bed, Eric stepped in and went. (He was also brave enough to take Ella and Cole as well, instead of putting them down for naps first, as I suggested. Dad of the year!!)

So here are some pictures of the fun at Carter's class party 

I always have to laugh at how Carter's hair looks at the end of the day! He goes to school with it so dapper looking, and comes home with a mop-head!!

 Crafting with his table mates

 Big boy!

 Carter with his R2D2 Valentine box

 

I hated to have missed the party, but was feeling SO much better the next morning. Glad Eric got to go in my place. :)

On Valentine's Day, Ella and I joined a friend and her daughter at a cute little baking class. 

I did her hair in a heart braid for the occasion. A little crooked, but this is what you get with a squirmy 4 year old! She still loved it :)

 Ella & Taylor ready for class

 Love my girl

 We made small, heart shaped cherry pies.

 And she really did do 90% of it herself. I was impressed!

 We posed with the photo props while our pies baked....

 And checked them out

 She got to take hers home in a cute box,

 and enjoyed it once we got home. It was a really fun Mom/Daughter outing!!

The last few years, we have done chocolate fondu with the kids on Valentine's Day. It's a fun and yummy tradition that they love! We thought we'd just be able to get away with giving Cole some M&Ms...... ha!

 He was watching us, and immediately started hollering for the chocolate!

 We tried to satisfy him with the rice krispies and brownies for dipping, but that didn't last long either.

 Eventually we gave in and he got to dip his too...... and proceeded to make a huge mess!

 The big kids enjoyed theirs, and have the chocolate faces to prove it!

 We were video chatting with Uncle Matt, and Cole was hamming it up for him, big time!

A fun Valentine's Day weekend for all!

Daddy / Daughter Dance 2016

 Ella was invited to a friend's birthday party on Saturday the 6th, which also happened to be the day of the Daddy / Daughter dance, which she has been looking forward to for an entire year! This party was at Sweet & Sassy, where the girls could get their hair, nails, and make up done, and dress up pretty! It was a little overwhelming and crowded, so she wasn't that into it at first, but she warmed up before the end. 

Getting hair fixed (not so thrilled)

Cute hair! And the birthday girl in the background getting eyeshadow done!

Nails next, still unsure. She also got a small amount of make up on. They did a little fashion show with all the girls, but Ella opted out of that, so we sat and watched :)

Next we went to the party room and were ready for snacks and cake

Feeling better now, and excited about what's coming next!

After the party was over, about 5 of the girls' families (all the dads and brothers met us) went downstairs to lunch at CPK. After the girls had lunch with their Daddies, and the Moms and boys over at the next table, it was time for the Moms to go get the girls dressed and ready for the dance!

Cole was needing a nap, and missing me while I stepped away, so Eric tried to entertain him with the camera on his phone.

It's clearly working. HA!

The girls got all dressed and we killed a little bit of time in the mall taking pictures before heading back up to the party spot where they had a BIG surprise for the girls!

So ready!

Selfie with my girl

Everyone was so excited to see that big, pink limo!!

All the girls with their wonderful Daddies!

Blessed to know these wondeful friends and neighbors!

Had to get a picture of the Moms.... the brains and beauty behind this whole event!!

Ready to ride!!

I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall... just sayin!!

Eric said it was loud and silly..... as you can imagine, they were all SOOOOO excited!

Just look at that smile!

More great grins

Sweet Ella and Molly

Gettin down!

A few videos from their ride..... 

Heading inside for the big dance!

Great shot of these two!

Ella found Lucy there, too!

Lots of dancing fun with Molly

...... and Daddy, too... of course!

A few dancing videos!

The fun didn't end there! Ella and Lucy had a date after at the mall, rode the carousel, went to the bookstore, and had dinner with their Daddies at the Cheesecake Factory!

It was almost more fun in one day than a sweet 4 year old could handle! They got home around 7pm, and this girl was WORE OUT!!! But I know she had an amazing time from all the precious stories she told me. Special moments with her friends and her Daddy! I'm sure she's already looking forward to next year's, although  I'm not sure how we'll ever top this one!