insta.life {Valentine's edition}

Love was in the air this week! 

Our mailboxes continued to be stuffed with sweet words, 

we enjoyed parties and treats galore, and we got busy tackling some new projects during one of the dreariest times of the year.

Sunday afternoon activity.

The best sugar cookies ever from our favorite neighbors.

{Photo taken less than 24 hours after the plate of cookies entered our house.}

Mady's room is now much better organized, 

featuring more of my favorite labels.

52 things for my hubby.

Spending time in my favorite first grader's classroom.

Cake pops are all the rage this year!

Party #2, down the hall, with the Pre-K-er's.

A special lunch date for Daddy and his three ladies.

On the menu today: PBJ sushi.

Made the dollar store rounds before lunch and found these gems.

Lots of Valentine's loot showed up in the mail this week thanks to the Nana's. Recently acquired treasures: 

Cars2 Squinkies and Legos for Dylan, 

a hula hoop and new book for Ella, 

and a cute, pink! set of bunny Duplos for Mady.

{Linking up to}

InstaFriday @ Life Rearranged

Finding the Lovely @ Jeanne Oliver

Monday Link Up @ a {little} dash of ash

My Insta.Week @ let birds fly

{family} love mail

At our last MOPS meeting, one mom shared her idea of putting Valentine's Day love mail mailboxes up in their home. She has one for each family member, and it's a place for them to tuck away love notes, kind words, pictures, or even little treats for each other. 

I loved the idea and Dylan and Ella are at great ages because they enjoy writing notes and drawing pictures. It also seemed like a fun way to spread the love during this (sometimes) dreary, cold season. And what kid doesn't love the idea of their own personal, little mailbox (complete with a flag to raise!)?

I've been keeping my eyes open for little mailboxes and I was excited to find these little guys at Target yesterday for (get ready) $1 each!

Today I pulled out some extra black vinyl I had leftover from a previous project and cut out names and heart shapes using my friend's Cricut (decorating with stickers or even a Sharpie would work as well).

{And yes, I am still obsessed with my fabric wrapped balls}

I stumbled upon these free printable love mail cards, and we're in business. I can hardly wait for the kids to get off the bus this afternoon and start sending some love!

Linking to:

Happy Valentine's Day!

This morning I was contemplating how I wished I was the mom that made their kids heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast or heart-shaped cupcakes or really heart shaped anything when I began to realize that maybe I am just not that mom. And then at lunchtime I realized I could make them heart-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches. Hurray.
I do love holidays and traditions, but it is sometimes overwhelming to me when I realize I'm in charge of all that...I much prefer to be a part of something that someone else does for me :) I remember getting Valentine's Day cards and small gifts from my parents as a kid that just magically appeared on the kitchen table and I loved that. I did pick up a few small things for Matt and the kids - books and small treats - so I need to pull that together during naptime and before Matt gets home from work. What about you...do you have any special V-Day traditions?

Now I'm off to contemplate how I wish I was the wife that cooked a special romantic Valentine's Day dinner for her husband...unfortunately I don't think I'm that wife either. (But I am good at ordering take-out!)